Russo Brothers’ Films: Marvel Wins, Others Flop?

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A lively debate has emerged online: Are the Anthony and Joe Russo brothers capable of creating an excellent film beyond the Marvel Universe? So far, it seems not, based on reviews from critics. Their non-Marvel films have received poor ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, in contrast to their Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) productions, which have all been certified fresh. This is certainly a concern for them.

Nevertheless, this team stands out as one of Tinseltown’s strongest directing duos, with few rivals. Besides James Cameron, they are the only other filmmakers to produce a movie that earned over $2 billion. In fact, they share this distinction with Cameron, being the only directors to have directed two films grossing more than $2 billion each. Their roles as producers should not be overlooked either, as they contribute significantly to projects such as “Extraction,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” and let’s not forget their memorable work on “Community” in the realm of television.

Here is how each Russo Brothers movie scores on Rotten Tomatoes.

9
‘The Electric State’ (2025)

Score: 15%

In “The Electric State,” the story follows Michelle’s (Millie Bobby Brown) quest to find her long-lost brother in a post-apocalyptic rendition of the American West. Accompanying her on this journey are a robot named Cosmo and a vagabond named Keats (Chris Pratt). Matters become intriguing as Michelle ventures into the ‘Exclusion Zone,’ a region populated by robots banished from a failed uprising.

Money Poorly Spent

The Russo Brothers were given a massive budget of $320 million for their movie production, making it one of the costliest films ever created. However, while the visuals are impressive, many critics found fault with the brothers deviating from the original source material – the 2018 illustrated novel by Simon Stålenhag, which was highly praised by NPR as one of the best books of the year. Even the two main actors received criticism for their performances. The Rotten Tomatoes consensus summarizes it well: “‘The Electric State’ plods along like a massive robot, with all the machinery to support it but lacking the essential spark needed to truly animate it.”

8
‘You, Me and Dupree’ (2006)

Score: 20%

In the movie You, Me and Dupree, newlyweds Carl (Matt Dillon) and Molly Peterson (Kate Hudson) share a strong connection. However, it’s clear that their happiness might not last forever. The turning point arrives when Carl’s longtime friend, Dupree (Owen Wilson), moves in with them after losing his job and becoming homeless.

Poor Characterization

The community found that the Russo brothers excel at comedy, making it unexpected when they made mistakes in this film. Critics largely agreed that the issue stemmed from Wilson’s character, Dupree, as the movie inconsistently portrayed him as both likable and manipulative. In summary, they considered it a fairly typical addition to the arrested development subgenre, with themes borrowed from other more popular and funnier movies. The character of Dupree becomes tiresome over time.

7
‘Cherry’ (2021)

Score: 37%

The movie Cherry, based on Nico Walker’s book, follows the story of its namesake character. This man experiences a tumultuous life journey, starting with his time in the military and continuing through his battles with PTSD following an honorable discharge. To deal with these difficulties, Cherry (played by Tom Holland) turns to opioids, and unfortunately involves his wife, Emily (portrayed by Ciara Bravo), in this destructive habit. As their finances dwindle, Cherry resorts to bank robberies.

Spider-Man Meets the Russos Again

Tom Holland delivers an exceptional performance, while Ciara Quinn Bravo shines with her expressive acting skills in the film “Cherry”. Both actors are deserving of accolades, yet the movie itself falls short. Critics find it visually appealing and provides Tom Holland with a chance to explore different roles, but they also point out that the narrative is too predictable to make a lasting impression. Despite its similarities to other PTSD and veteran-themed films, “Cherry” is still worth watching.

6
‘The Gray Man’ (2022)

Score: 45%

Court Gentry, portrayed by Ryan Gosling in the movie “The Gray Man”, is pulled from jail to serve as CIA assassin Sierra Six. This role involves taking out targets. However, during his assignments, he stumbles upon shocking truths about his employers. Enraged, he decides to reveal these secrets, but it’s unclear if he’s biting off more than he can chew. In due course, Lloyd Hansen, a ruthless and relentless hunter played by Chris Evans, is dispatched to pursue him, thus setting the stage for an exciting chase.

An Average Spy Thriller

Gosling delivers an impressive performance and Chris Evans’ excitement is palpable. It’s clear he was thrilled to be part of another Russo brothers project. Ana de Armas also stands out as a seductive, deadly femme fatale who could make you reconsider inviting her home to meet your mom. However, some critics who have seen the film, rated by Rotten Tomatoes, found it to be a bit of a letdown, with elements that seemed borrowed from superior films in the same genre. This observation seems valid given how other movies have tackled similar themes more effectively.

5
‘Welcome To Collinwood’ (2002)

Score: 55%

In Collinwood, you’re greeted by the story of Cosimo (played by Luis Guzmán). Upon his arrival in jail, he dreams up an intricate scheme for the ultimate heist. The unlikely crew he assembles consists of a down-on-his-luck boxer, a love-struck burglar, and a supposed genius. Now, we delve into the realm of crime gone awry.

Not as Good as the Original

Rather than remaking a classic movie like Mario Monicelli’s “Big Deal on Madonna Street (I soliti ignoti),” the Russo brothers may have taken on an unnecessary challenge. Their rendition misses the original’s sharp cinematography and robust humor. However, they managed to enhance these aspects in their later works. Critics found that while the new movie had some amusing parts, it was overall a fairly shallow comedy.

4
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018)

Score: 85

A significant challenge arises in the movie “Avengers: Infinity War”. The character Thanos, portrayed by Josh Brolin, is on a mission to amass all six Infinity Stones and employ them to eliminate half of all life across the universe. Our beloved superheroes make an effort to thwart him, but this time, the ominous purple figure means business.

Thanos the Eliminator

Avengers: Infinity War skillfully manages an extensive cast of Marvel Universe heroes as they battle their most significant threat to date, resulting in a thrilling, emotionally impactful blockbuster that largely achieves its grand objectives.

3
‘Captain America: Civil War’ (2016)

Score: 90%

In the movie “Captain America: Civil War,” the Sokovia Accord – an agreement proposed by governments for controlling the actions of superheroes – leads to disagreements within the Avengers. Some team members support it, while others oppose it. Unfortunately, this divide results in once close friends like Iron Man and Captain America leading separate groups in a fierce battle against each other.

Hero Vs Hero

The Russo brothers skillfully craft an aesthetically pleasing environment, filled with vibrant sets, picturesque locations, and breathtaking sequences that collectively offer a visual feast. They also introduce a variety of fresh and captivating characters to tackle the plot. Critics on Rotten Tomatoes praised Civil War as “‘an action-packed superhero movie’ with a more mature storyline, daring to delve into profound themes.

2
‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’ (2014)

Score: 90%

In the movie “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” our likable hero, Steve Rogers, experiences a disruption of his ideal Avengers lifestyle when, while working for S.H.I.E.L.D., he stumbles upon a sinister plot hidden within the organization. Joined by Black Widow and Falcon, he embarks on a mission to neutralize this danger. However, their progress is impeded by the lethal assassin called the Winter Soldier.

Arguably the Best MCU Solo Movie

This exceptional movie serves as a benchmark for all other superhero films, setting a high standard. It features villains orchestrating events from behind the scenes, and an antagonist who surpasses the hero in combat skills. Moreover, it includes numerous impactful scenes that linger in the memory, such as the elevator fight or the highway battle. The general consensus among critics is that “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is a thought-provoking, politically astute film, and an outstanding addition to the Marvel universe, certain to captivate ardent Marvel fans.

1
‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019)

Score: 94%

In the world of “Avengers: Endgame,” Thanos’ catastrophic snap has left the universe severely altered, eliminating half of all life. Now, it falls upon the remaining Avengers to concoct a strategy to undo this devastation. However, they’re stumped on how to proceed. Enter Ant-Man with his brilliant time-travel concept.

The Storm is Over

Fans had always anticipated that the Avengers would ultimately emerge victorious, yet they were unaware the narrative would unfold so poetically. In the climactic installment, the Russo brothers bring forth an array of powerful elements, offering breathtaking battles and dialogue that lingers in your memory forever. Critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes states: “ ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is thrilling, engaging, and emotionally resonant, providing a fitting conclusion to Marvel’s monumental Infinity Saga.” Here’s hoping the future Avengers films from the director duo will be equally impressive.

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2025-03-22 21:33