‘The Last of Us’: Full Season 1 Recap

Joel, Ellie, Tommy, the Fireflies, FEDRA. Who are all these people?

As a die-hard fan of “The Last of Us“, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the return for Season 2! It feels like ages since we last encountered those terrifying clickers or Cordyceps creatures, not to mention our beloved human characters and their gripping storylines. If you’re in need of a refresher before diving into Season 2, or if you missed out on Season 1 and want to start fresh with the beginning of Season 2, our latest “The Last of Us” video is just what you need!

As a fellow fan of ‘The Last of Us’, if you enjoyed the video summarizing everything from Season 1, I’d highly recommend diving into more of our videos. For instance, we’ve got one that uncovers all the hidden Easter eggs in Season 2 Episode 1, another that delves into what makes ‘The Last of Us’ such an exceptional TV series, and yet another on why the debated ‘The Last of Us Part II’ is a brilliant video game. You’ll also find a wealth of additional content over at ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss our future episodes! New episodes of ‘The Last of Us’ air every Sunday on HBO and Max.

Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

35. Eternals

Initially, I wouldn’t have anticipated that a Marvel film helmed by an Academy Award winner and inspired by some of Jack Kirby’s most daring comics would result in one of the company’s least significant releases. Regrettably, Eternals failed to coalesce as intended. The adaptation maintains the fundamental principles of Kirby’s work with minor but bothersome alterations, such as transforming the malevolent Deviants into faceless monsters lacking objectives or motivations. The ensemble boasts commendable supporting roles by Kumail Nanjiani and Brian Tyree Henry, yet the primary characters, Gemma Chan as Sersi and Richard Madden as Ikaris, struggle to convey their supposed passionate romance. (Their relationship spans 6,000 years; they appear as if they’re on their first date, and it’s going terribly.) The script occasionally delves into intriguing concepts about the links between superheroes, mythology, and religion, only to consistently forsake them in favor of routine battle sequences featuring uninspiring adversaries. It is challenging to conceive a more tedious film about immortal alien robots attempting to thwart total annihilation than this one.

34. The Incredible Hulk

The production of this film feels so disjointed, awkward, and unattractive, as if Marvel was completely taken aback by the success of Iron Man and hastily threw it together. Casting Tim Roth as the world’s supreme soldier (who transforms into a giant bony beast) is arguably one of Loki’s worst crimes in the Marvel universe. (Continue reading here.)

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33. Thor: The Dark World

Instead of nearly having Patty Jenkins’ Thor, we ended up with a rather dull chase for a mysterious artifact, one of the most uninteresting villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if there’s a silver lining, it might be that this film didn’t flop as badly as expected, which could have prevented Marvel from taking the risks they did with Thor: Ragnarok. (Continue reading here.)

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32. The Marvels

This Marvel film, although not the weakest in their collection, can be considered the most disorderly and intense. Three captivating Marvel characters (Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel, Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau) are thrown into a chaotic mix to prevent a Kree warlord from causing havoc for unclear reasons. Despite the actors delivering stellar performances, the narrative is unfortunately disorganized and filled with peculiar decisions that lack coherence.

31. Captain America: Brave New World

In a nutshell, the phrase “Right hero, wrong plot” could encapsulate several recent Marvel films, such as The Marvels, but it’s particularly apt for Captain America: Brave New World. This film finally provides Anthony Mackie’s charming Sam Wilson with his own movie spotlight, only to burden him with a dull villain and a narrative riddled with unnecessary references to The Incredible Hulk. (Admit it, we were all on tenterhooks about Betty Ross’ fate, weren’t we?)

30. Doctor Strange

Unique, imaginative scenes are commendable, but “Doctor Strange” struggles to escape the sense that it’s essentially an updated version of “Iron Man 2 (with a sprinkle of magic).” However, the smart conclusion featuring Dormammu earns a thumb’s up. On the other hand, the quirky cape worn by Strange receives a thumbs down. (For more details, check out this review.)

29. Iron Man 2

Despite being better than you may recall, it’s clear that there are still areas needing improvement. Sam Rockwell’s dancing skills can mask many imperfections, but not all of them. By trimming approximately 15 minutes of setup from this, the Avengers could potentially deliver a more compelling experience. (You can read more here.)

28. Ant-Man

Ant-Man isn’t awful, but it feels like a scaled-down version of what we should have gotten from Edgar Wright’s vision. Despite this, Michael Peña’s character Luis stands out as one of the most memorable non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (You can read more about it [here](here).)

Ant-Man isn’t terrible, but it falls short of what Edgar Wright’s original vision might have been. However, Michael Peña’s character Luis is a standout among the non-superpowered characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. (You can read more about it [here](here).)

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27. Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

In the upcoming battle between Ant-Man and Kang the Conqueror, even Kang himself (played by the intimidating Jonathan Majors) admits that Scott Lang is out of his depth. This seemingly lopsided matchup mirrors the film itself in a way – the down-to-earth, lighthearted world of the Ant-Man series with its charming humor and relatable characters can’t hold a candle to the grand, multiverse-spanning drama of Marvel Phase 5 on the big screen. As a Marvel blockbuster, it delivers satisfactorily. However, as a follow-up to the Ant-Man franchise, it falls short, especially for fans eagerly waiting for Michael Peña’s Luis, who unfortunately does not appear in this installment.

26. Ant-Man and the Wasp

The movie “Ant-Man and the Wasp” shines brightest when it emphasizes its intimate aspects, showcasing Paul Rudd’s hilarious banter with his fellow actors, Michael Peña’s heartfelt soliloquies, and a tender family drama about a fractured family striving to heal and reunite. (You can read more here.)

25. Captain Marvel

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Brie Larson’s portrayal of Carol Danvers may be the most potent hero, yet her movie could have benefited from a stronger emotional impact. However, it manages to stay engaging thanks to two standout performances: Ben Mendelsohn as the cunning Skrull Talos, and Samuel L. Jackson, along with the astonishing de-aging visual effects, playing the youthful Nick Fury. (For further details, click here.)

24. Black Widow

2021 marked Scarlett Johansson’s long-awaited solo outing from the Avengers, but instead of leading her own story, she primarily served as a straight character alongside her sarcastic Russian superhero crew, comprising David Harbour’s narcissistic Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s captivating Yelena. Consequently, the film Black Widow didn’t entirely live up to the iconic send-off that Natasha Romanoff should have had. However, it remains another strong Marvel production, boasting impressive stunts and an intriguing villain in Taskmaster, who has the ability to replicate the combat skills of any adversary he encounters.

23. Thor: Love and Thunder

Observing Taika Waititi’s second Thor movie, ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’, is somewhat like witnessing a magician performing the same trick twice in quick succession. The initial performance was astonishing. The subsequent one still holds charm, but the element of surprise is significantly reduced. Christian Bale delivers an eerie portrayal of Gorr the God-Butcher, yet his intense and deeply emotional villain persona seems somewhat discordant with Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and his constant joking. Essentially, ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ retains all the components of Taika Waititi’s ‘Thor: Ragnarok’, but they don’t quite harmonize as smoothly this time around.

22. Deadpool & Wolverine

In this movie, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s camaraderie is simply fantastic. Their surprise appearances are truly unexpected. However, the plot… well, it pushes the limits of how much explanation a film can have without becoming incomprehensible. (One might wonder if a character needs multiple tragic pasts? This movie seems to think so, at least for two!)

If you manage not to overthink anything on-screen for even a moment, you’ll likely find it enjoyable enough. And Jackman and Reynolds certainly deliver the teamwork of Deadpool and Wolverine that we’ve been waiting for, albeit reluctantly to save the Fox X-Men universe. You might just wish the writers (including Reynolds himself) had given a slightly more coherent storyline.

21. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

A revised take on “Iron Man 2”: It might be worse than you recall, but it remains passable. The advertising heavily emphasized the conspiracy aspect, however Anthony Mackie’s Falcon significantly enhances the series, and Chris Evans delivers another solid performance as Captain America. Nevertheless, I can’t help but feel frustrated that Nick Fury, the world’s top spy, was clueless about the fact that everyone in SHIELD except for him and his two associates were completely corrupt. Come on, Nick, open your eyes! (Read further details .)

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20. Avengers: Infinity War

While this film undeniably showcases an impressive scale and a memorable finale, it seems to lack something essential. If you’re primarily seeking high-octane action with witty dialogues, then it certainly delivers. However, if you prefer the movie for its characters, camaraderie, and quieter scenes that unfold between the battles, this might not be your preferred choice. (You can find more insights [here].)

19. Iron Man 3

The film in question was quite enjoyable, yet its overall impact was somewhat diminished by the context of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The storyline culminates with Tony Stark deciding to leave his Iron Man life behind and ride off, but unfortunately, this decision was later contradicted in subsequent films. Despite Guy Pearce’s character falling short, Robert Downey Jr.’s exchanges with a clever child were top-notch. (For further reading, click here.)

18. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Initially: The climactic scene, featuring dragons and monsters clashing amidst thick gray fog, is a disorganized CGI spectacle. Prior to this, however, Shang-Chi could potentially be Marvel’s finest action film, boasting numerous intricate and dynamic fight sequences. (The bus fight scene in San Francisco is particularly enjoyable.) Simu Liu heads up one of Marvel’s more profound ensembles, with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh delivering nuanced supporting performances, while Ben Kingsley and Awkwafina consistently deliver comedic relief. (Kingsley as the former Mandarin Trevor Slattery, may not have been the most beloved Marvel villain initially, but Marvel has cleverly transformed him into a delightful secondary character.)

17. Thor

In an unexpected twist, we have a sprawling, interstellar saga primarily unfolding in the tiniest town of New Mexico. Despite the flaws found in Thor, it marked the beginning of Marvel’s signature style, where exceptional acting and captivating performances managed to overshadow structural and script issues that later became a hallmark of the Marvel series. (Continue reading here.)

16. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Ryan Coogler encountered an incredibly tough task with “Wakanda Forever”: Apart from creating a sequel that matched the greatness of the original “Black Panther”, he had to do so without his captivating lead actor Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away during the summer of 2020, just as filming was about to commence. The movie shines most when it seamlessly weaves Coogler and the cast’s grief over Boseman into the narrative of Wakanda grappling with the loss of its monarch. Unfortunately, the remainder of the film can be a bit disorganized; a mix of compelling concepts, numerous characters, and an adversary, Namor, who is somewhat unclear in his motives as an underwater king.

15. Captain America: Civil War

The plot of the movie is questionable and appears weak, but it was clearly intended to culminate in the epic showdown between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers at the airport. By the way, that airport battle scene is absolutely amazing! (For more details, check out this link.)

14. Spider-Man: No Way Home

In Jon Watts’ third Spider-Man movie, its quality is comparable to Sam Raimi’s third Spider-Man film. Both share the issue of being packed with numerous villains. On the bright side, this film successfully encapsulates and expresses the charm of Peter Parker as a character, who despite frequent failures, continually strives to rectify his mistakes. Furthermore, it significantly introduces the concept of the multiverse into MCU films, thereby marking a significant step in the saga’s progression.

13. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

After a 15-year absence, director Sam Raimi re-entered the Marvel universe with this exhilaratingly chaotic journey centered around a struggle for the survival of the multiverse. Similar to his previous Spider-Man films, Raimi managed to incorporate his unique style and motifs – such as slapstick humor, mad zombies, and sudden shocks – into the more conventional Marvel mold. (For further details, see here.)

12. Avengers: Age of Ultron

Despite some criticisms about its drop in quality compared to the initial Avengers film and the confusion surrounding Wanda and Pietro’s storyline, I cannot deny that the climactic sequence where the Avengers unite to save every life in Sokovia encapsulates the essence of Marvel at its finest. (Continue reading .)

11. Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I must say that the latest Marvel flick had an overabundance of post-credit scenes, at least four to be exact! Yet, this audacious move to transform the jokiest Marvel franchise into a melancholic sequel is nothing short of impressive. It’s the first and only Marvel film that has left me shedding tears, and let’s not forget the hilarious alien deity phallus jokes! In my opinion, such an emotional rollercoaster with a dash of humor makes for a truly captivating cinematic experience. (Read more… here.)

10. Thor: Ragnarok

I just really like when Jeff Goldblum plays a space god who DJs his own parties. (Read more here.)

9. Spider-Man: Far From Home

In the second Spidey film by Marvel, starring Tom Holland as the acrobatic Spider-Man, “Far From Home” slightly falls short of its predecessor yet offers a blend of romance, action, humor, and emotion. Despite no one uttering the phrase “with great power comes great responsibility,” this movie embodies that concept as much as any Spider-Man story. Peter Parker, played by Holland, grapples with his feelings for MJ (Zendaya’s charming portrayal) and his orders from a somewhat irritated Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), who tasks him with thwarting a group of destructive elemental beings.

8. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

As a film aficionado, I must say that James Gunn truly nails the conclusion of his Guardians trilogy with Vol. 3. It masterfully blends exhilarating action sequences, quirky sci-fi visuals, and deeply emotional characters that leave us completely captivated. By the end of it all, Rocket Raccoon, who once was a Marvel B-lister, has evolved into one of their most intriguing and heartrending heroes. After a series of less than stellar movies, Gunn demonstrates effortless brilliance. It’s unfortunate that he’s moving on to work with DC now.

7. Avengers: Endgame

A significant leap forward from “Infinity War” and arguably one of the finest entries in the Avengers series, this film is packed with colossal action sequences, abundant humor, and a potential record-breaking number of Easter eggs across any cinematic universe. (Read more .)

6. Spider-Man: Homecoming

Among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s movies, one that I can’t help but rewatch again and again features captivating characters, thrilling Spider-Man action, and even a street vendor requesting a flip from Spider-Man, which he graciously performs. Aren’t you hooked too?!? (Check it out more here.)

5. Guardians of the Galaxy

Midway through the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the original Guardians movie played a key role in proving that Marvel’s brand was versatile enough to appeal to audiences for lesser-known properties. Prior to James Gunn’s direction, the Guardians were virtually unknown, but he transformed them into an unexpected hit. It is indisputable and self-evident that Rocket is the best among the Guardians; there is no need to debate this point. (Read more here.)

4. Captain America: The First Avenger

Although the plot could use some tightening (as it condenses an entire war into a montage), the portrayal of Captain America by Chris Evans in this film is arguably the most successful character adaptation within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie transformed a hero that was often criticized as dull or outdated into a captivating, charismatic, and complex individual embodying timeless human values. It’s the perfect MCU film to watch when you need a boost of inspiration. [Read more here.]

3. Black Panther

As a film enthusiast, I’ve found that some Marvel movies strive for profound connections with the cosmos at large, but “Black Panther” demonstrates the merit of taking a more secluded path. The closing scene, where Black Panther decides to share Wakanda with the world, is intended as a joyful conclusion. However, if this decision leads to a sequel that’s spread too thin with numerous appearances, it might not be all it’s cracked up to be. (Read more here.)

2. The Avengers

Despite the epic events unfolding in “Infinity War”, the original “Avengers” movie remains an astonishing feat. Each character is skillfully balanced, the script is meticulously crafted, and the climactic Battle of New York stands as one of this century’s most impressive action sequences. (Read more here.)

1. Iron Man

To this day, no other movie has surpassed its initial greatness. Looking back, the freedom from having to adhere to a larger universe’s continuity significantly enhanced its quality. The scenes featuring Robert Downey Jr.’s character Tony Stark testing his armor and subsequently flying for the first time, better conveyed the exhilaration of superpowers than any film, whether by Marvel Studios or another production company. [Source]

2025-04-17 22:11