This week on “Previously On,” I say a prayer for Marvel movie fans who aren’t caught up (and provide my fast track list!) and discover David Tennant’s new-ish podcast.
MCU Fast Track Watch List!
We’ve reached the remarkable point in the Marvel Cinematic Universe where the problems of shared universe storytelling and ongoing continuity have crossed from comics to big screen. While it’s inconceivable to me that people haven’t been following along with each new movie since Iron Man in 2008, the reality is of course that there’s over a decade of material serving as prologue for a movie like Avengers: Endgame.
So, yes, while the fan in me recommends those looking to catch up retire from their jobs / social lives and spend their remaining days catching up on the MCU to date, I recognize there’s a genuine desire for a fast track guide to get there. As my aunt-in-law helped me understand when she looped in to a conversation with pro football player Chris Long:
First step, definitely retire from football, we have a lot of work to do. I’d say a fast track movie watch would be Avengers 1 & 2, Cap 3: Civil War, Guardians. Now you’ve seen literally everyone except Doctor Strange, and he’s a Dr. and Strange. Enjoy!
— Dave of the Realms (@ComicBookHerald) March 15, 2019
My initial response to this question included the shortest path to seeing essentially all the characters in the MCU: Avengers 1 & 2, Cap 3: Civil War, & Guardians of the Galaxy.
That version gets you 4 of 21 movies in approximately eight hours. Importantly, it also fixates on three of my 10 favorite MCU properties, with the additional inclusion of Avengers 2: Age of Ultron.
AoU is more of a mixed bag, and arguably, if you’re truly fast tracking, you could stop watching literally the moment the Vision lifts Mjolnir. I don’t think you can skip the film altogether, though, because it introduces Scarlet Witch and Vision, both pretty important characters by the time you hit the Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame double page splash.
The biggest downside to this fast track is that you miss out on a number of the MCU’s best movies like Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and Captain America: Winter Soldier. With that in mind, there’s also the “all killer, no filler” approach to the MCU. For me, this would look like:
- Avengers
- Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier
- Captain America 3: Civil War
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Spider-Man: Homecoming
- Black Panther
- Thor: Ragnarok
- Avengers: Infinity War
What do you think? Any absolute must-watches I’m leaving out, or anything you’d cut? Let me know what you think in the comments!
LOVE OF THE WEEK
One of the absolute joys of C2E2 (aka Chicago Comic-Con) this year came from attending the David Tennant interview. During this time, I learned that the once and forever Doctor Who has a podcast called “David Tennant Does a Podcast With…” in which he interviews/converses with various actors and celebrities.
As a huge fan of Tennant’s work (and accent), I was more than ready to commit to listening to him talk shop with the likes of Jodie Whittaker and Krysten Ritter. Highly recommend this podcast for Whovians, fans of shows like Jessica Jones and Broadchurch, and adorers of Scottish accents.
Good answers for prepping for Infinity War, but probably should add that before moving on to Endgame you should watch Captain Marvel.