Superhero films are arguably the highest-grossing movie genre nowadays. From superheroes being brought to the big screen for the first time, like Shazam and Aquaman, to masses of superheroes being reunited in one huge anticipated movie, like Endgame, superhero films come in abundance and in variations. In terms of genders, races and hopefully soon sexualities, these movies are also increasingly inclusive.
The frequency at which they are released every year also means that they can sometimes feel repetitive, confusing or simply be bad. However, popular opinions do not always agree with that, as a viewer can be blinded by his love for the characters or for the universe in his experience of a superhero film. In this case, plot holes, lack of logic or poor direction gets too often overlooked. So, here are the 10 most overrated superhero films of the last 5 years.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War was by far the most anticipated superhero movie of all time. Reuniting all of the MCU’s heroes in a fight against a villain whose attack been hinted at for years, the movie had a lot to live up, and for the most part, it did not disappoint. As is to be expected from such a bold project, the film still suffers from logic problems.
For example, the final battle involves Captain America, Scarlett Witch and Thor going head to toe with Thanos. Instead of reuniting their strength and attacking him together, the heroes seem to take turns. Whether that was poor writing from the Russo brothers or poor teamwork from the Avengers, it makes the Earth’s defeat against Thanos all the more frustrating. Although the movie is great, it’s simply not the mind-blowing masterpiece that most people make it out to be.
Wonder Woman
When Wonder Woman came out in 2017, it was groundbreaking because it was the first major female-led superhero film and the first of these films to be directed by a woman. The movie was important for its advancements regarding gender equality and female empowerment in cinema. However, that is not enough to make a good movie.
The movie started off amazing, but the third act felt over-the-top and plain unrealistic. Watching Wonder Woman make a speech about how love will save the world right before killing the God of War made her message sound slightly hypocritical and too cliché. The movie is nonetheless enjoyable, but it does not live up to its incredible criticism and ratings.
Captain America: Civil War
Perhaps the biggest problem with Captain America: Civil War is the title. The title implies that it’s a cinematic adaptation of the graphic novel Civil War and that there is going to be an actual civil war. In these two regards, the film fails. The storyline is so different from the comics that only the concept of superheroes dividing and fighting each other is the same. There is no civil war, unlike in the comic. It’s just 12 superheroes fighting in an empty parking lot.
Although the movie is still enjoyable despite its disappointments, it still feels like Captain America was robbed of a proper final movie for his trilogy. With all the characters involved, the movie could not focus enough on Captain America and give him the ending he deserves.
Deadpool
In 2016, audiences were taken by surprise with Deadpool, a movie about a new on-screen superhero with a crude and eccentric attitude who broke the fourth wall. The movie is good, but it’s not as hilarious and original as critics claim it to be. Some jokes are predictable ad some are childish; revolving around farts and poop. And Ryan Reynold’s excessive performance is just that: excessive.
Most of all, the movie and its hero try too hard to be unconventional: Deadpool repeats that he is not like other superheroes, and yet he spends the movie catching bad guys and trying to save a beautiful girl that he loves. Deadpool is almost everything it prides itself on not being.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2
The first Guardians Of The Galaxy movie was fun, quite original, and refreshingly different from the MCU’s Avengers movies. The second volume, however, tried to do too much. This time around, the movie overdoes what was funny and different about the first Guardians movie; a talking raccoon and a baby plant who can only say his name. Some parts are a little confusing, too, like the whole revelation about Star-Lord’s real father.
Unfortunately, beautiful visuals and quirky side-characters are not enough to make a movie good. In the end, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol 2 delivered more meme content than actually funny content.
Ant-Man
When a superhero’s power is to shrink the size of an ant and his name is literally Ant-Man, you need excellent writing and direction to pull off a movie about this guy. Although Marvel surely did better than expected, the movie could have been better.
Ant-Man is carried prominently by Paul Rudd and Michael Douglas’ superb performances. The movie tried to portray Ant-Man’s powers as more interesting than they are - and they are so reliant on Science that it makes the big scientific inaccuracies quite difficult to brush off. It seems like this movie was enjoyed by many simply because it’s Marvel or because of Paul Rudd, or both.
Avengers: Age Of Ultron
After the amazing reviews and audience reception for Avengers, the trailer for Age Of Ultron had the world even more excited, but sadly it was not as good. Whereas Loki was a smart villain with real motives and great lines, Ultron had no character. Instead of taking advantage of his AI, robotic nature, the movie made Ultron talk and move just like a human. The result was unconvincing.
But the least convincing thing about him is his origin. It’s hard to believe in the Avengers when the two supposedly smartest members accidentally created the villain that threatened the planet they swore to protect. Even some of the biggest Marvel fans admit that Age Of Ultron is far from being one of Marvel’s best films.
Justice League
Justice League came out already two years ago, yet the Snyder Cut is being advocated for more than ever. Undeniably, changing the entirety of Zack Snyder’s movie to make it ’less serious’ was a mistake that Warner Bros will not easily live down. And rightfully so.
Not only did Joss Whedon–a director known for light-hearted, comical movies–take over for Snyder after his departure, but most of Snyder’s footage was removed from the theatrical cut. The result is a messy storyline with odd characterizations, jokes that fell flat and wonky CGI. Not to mention, a painfully obvious distinction between Snyder’s original footage and Whedon’s reshoots. For some reason, the movie still scored a 6.4/10 on IMDb when it deserves a 5 at best.
X-Men: Apocalypse
X-Men: Apocalypse is a movie that relies almost entirely on established characters that are already loved from previous movies. To put it simply, it seemed like the studio decided to throw everything that fans love about the X-Men into a movie, and completely forgot about the plot. And logic.
The villain’s character doesn’t make much sense, in fact, the only good thing about it is Oscar Isaac’s performance. Isaac is so good, that it almost makes you root for the bad guy instead of the superheroes we’re supposed to love.
Dark Pheonix
By now, it is safe to say that the X-Men movies had a great run, and they are now being overdone. Dark Phoenix already has low ratings, and yet they deserve to be lower. The movie may have encountered several problems in production, but a better job could have been done at trying to hide that in the theatrical cut. Instead, the movie feels like a first draft.
The story is once more repetitive, and the writing of the characters is so bad, so rushed, that Sophie Turner truly has little room to shine as the protagonist. It’s surprising to find that there are people who enjoyed this movie, despite everything.
