Puny God (THE AVENGERS)
There is a great moment in the trailer for THOR: RAGNAROK that recalls this instantly classic scene from THE AVENGERS. Just as Loki is about to launch into a monologue about his greatness, Hulk interrupts by smashing the hell out of him and then uttering the first words the green giant has said in the film. It is an iconic moment in a movie full of memorable moments. And, it is funny as hell.
WTF (SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING)
SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING was a hit this past summer and brought arguably the best iteration of Peter Parker to the silver screen. Whether you liked the movie or not, you cannot argue that it was a funny movie. No scene was as perfectly timed as the final seconds of the feature which revealed Spider-man’s true identity to Marisa Tomei’s Aunt May. Perfect editing insinuates more than we actually hear and that makes this even funnier.
Trevor Slattery (IRON MAN 3)
The most controversial MCU film, IRON MAN 3 featured a twist on The Mandarin that still divides audiences to this day. But, in hindsight and thanks to a great Marvel One Shot featuring Ben Kingsley reprising his role as Trevor Slattery, fans are becoming more accepting of this change in the Mandarin’s back story. I love the entire performance and this scene remains one of my favorites in any MCU movie.
Baskin Robbins (ANT MAN)
Peyton Reed had a tough job filling the vacated shoes left by Edgar Wright. ANT-MAN could have been a disaster but is actually one of the most fun of all the MCU entries. Rudd’s timing and charm helps carry the more uneven parts of the film but it is the funny that made this movie work so well. There are a ton of great moments in this movie that elicit laughs, but the entire Baskin Robbins scene is hilarious.
Language (AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON)
Right from the very beginning of AGE OF ULTRON, Tony Stark gives Steve Rogers crap for a throwaway line about Iron Man cursing. It could have ended there, but Joss Whedon keeps it going through the entire film and it all comes back to Captain America joining the mild profanity peer pressure in the end. It is one of the best parts of an overall underwhelming movie.
Metaphors (GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY)
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY is a great movie full of fun and funny. I could have picked the dance off between Star Lord and Ronan, any of the lines from Rocket, or even Groot and the battery, but I think Dave Bautista as Drax steals the show. His lack of understanding metaphors makes for some great comedy. Personally, I think they went a bit too far with Drax in VOL. 2, but that is just my opinion.
Giant Man (CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR)
CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR is the best use of the wide array of Marvel heroes on the big screen, at least until INFINITY WAR debuts. Because of these wide personalities, you have to go big or go home. Nothing is quite as big as Giant Man who makes his MCU debut in this scene. While Paul Rudd’s reaction and Tom Holland’s line may initiate the smile, it is Don Cheadle who drives the chuckle home.
Galaga (THE AVENGERS)
Robert Downey Jr’s wit and acting in the IRON MAN films helped usher in the MCU and it is on full display in THE AVENGERS. There are a lot of memorable moments of humor in Joss Whedon’s blockbuster, but none is as good as this scene where Tony Stark calls out a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent for playing a video game at work only for the guy to actually be doing it. A great line and an even better payoff to the joke.
Get Me A Horse (THOR)
While THOR: RAGNAROK is being hailed as the funniest MCU film to date, there has always been humor in the trilogy. Most notable is this scene in which Chris Hemsworth’s comic timing shines twice: first when he smashes his glass and then again when he confuses the available animals for him to ride here on Midgard.
Mister Doctor (DOCTOR STRANGE)
While DOCTOR STRANGE may have been one of the less profitable MCU entries, it did have some nice line deliveries from star Benedict Cumberbatch who evoked the smarmy demeanor of Tony Stark. But, it is the misunderstanding of what Strange’s name is in this scene that made me laugh quite a bit. I owe the humor in equal parts to Mads Mikkelsen and his dry retort.
