Phase 1: The Incredible Hulk
This is easily one of Marvel’s most forgettable movies. Looking back on it, it’s amazing to look back at how large of a bluster this turned out to be. Edward Norton’s performance as Bruce Banner doesn’t come close to Mark Ruffalo’s and each side character is as two-dimensional as the last. It’s a good thing that Marvel has done their best to sweep this one under the rug.
Phase 2: Thor: The Dark World
This movie was essentially two hours of exposition helping the build-up to Avengers: Infinity War, which wouldn’t be out for another 5 years. There’s a few good moments with each character, and the performances are inspired, but as a whole, this movie is easily one of the most forgettable in the MCU.
Phase 3: Captain Marvel
Let me start by saying that Captain Marvel was a phenomenal movie. However, in a phase that included some of the best Marvel movies yet (Avengers: Infinity War, Captain America: Civil War, Doctor Strange, Black Panther) and some of the most fun (Thor Ragnarok, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming), Captain Marvel takes the last slot by default.
Each performance was great, the story was stellar, and it shameful that I have to put it last. The story at times got convoluted and suffered from some of the same flaws as Thor: The Dark World, with a weak villain and exposition that’s hard to follow at times.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed every movie in Phase 3, and it’s unfortunate to put Captain Marvel here. It’s not a bad movie by any standard and I would certainly watch it again. However, its small flaws put it behind its tough competition.