A Defence Of MCU Phase 5, Part 1: 10 Memorable Moments From The Films

We've recently come to the end of Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the recently released Fantastic Four: First Steps marking the beginning of Phase Six, the final phase of the Multiverse Saga.

Many fans argue that the MCU has been in a steady decline since Avengers: Endgame, and especially during Phase 5, but that is not necessarily true. Phase 5's movies have still given us plenty of great content. In part one of a two part Phase 5 retrospective, let's look back at some of the most memorable moments from the MCU's Phase 5 films.

1. Hope comes back for Scott (Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania)

After a few movies as one of the MCU's most beloved supporting players, Scott Lang appeared to be stepping into the big leagues when Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania became the opening entry in Phase 5. Given that Ant-Man was to go up against Kang, then intended to be the Multiverse Saga's big bad, some fans feared that Scott would be killed off in the film, with Kang using his death to send a message to the wider MCU.

Things certainly look bad for Scott in the film's final act, as he stays behind to hold off Kang while Cassie and the Pym/Van Dynes escape the Quantum Realm. However, just as hope seems lost Hope (pardon the pun), comes back for Scott, and the pair defeat Kang together.

2. The High Evolutionary and his followers murder Rocket's friends (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3)

At the heart of Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.3 is Rocket Raccoon's tragic backstory, growing up as one of the High Evolutionary's experiments, alongside his friends Lylla the Otter, Teefs the Walrus, and Floor the Rabbit. When Rocket discovers that Batch 89, aka he and his friends, have been marked for death, he makes plans to escape. While he successfully frees himself and Lylla from their cages, she is shot dead by The High Evolutionary, along with Floor and Teefs soon after, leaving Rocket to escape alone.

The sequence is devastating, immediately marking The High Evolutionary as one of the MCU's most hated villains.

3. Hallway Battle Sequence (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3)

After recovering from the near-fatal injuries that took him out of action for most of the film, Rocket decides that he is done running away from the High Evolutionary. His Guardians family choose to support him. What follows is a perfectly choreographed, continuous-shot battle sequence that shows off each Guardian's best skills, and why they work so well together.

Some have declared it to be one of the greatest battle sequences of not just the MCU, but all time.

4. Rocket embraces his identity (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3)

Through most of the Guardians of the Galaxy films, Rocket denies being a raccoon. As it turns out, this isn't because of embarrassment or shame, but because he genuinely did not know what he was.

This is corrected during the final act in the third film, when he discovers and rescues a cageful of baby raccoons from the High Evolutionary's ship. Thereafter, he embraces that he is, in fact, Rocket Raccoon. It is a beautiful sequence, elevated by a gorgeous piece of score.

5. Evacuation by Flerkitten (The Marvels)

In the latter stages of The Marvels, as villain Dar-Benn approaches, our heroes face a dilemma when they discover there is only one functional escape pod left aboard the SABER space station. Luckily, Nick Fury comes up with a rather unorthodox solution, courtesy of Goose's recently born litter of Flerkittens.

In a hilarious sequence set to 'Memory' from the musical Cats, Fury's voice is heard on loudspeaker encouraging the terrified crew to allow the Flerkittens to temporarily swallow them, so the kittens, crew inside, can be safely transported to Earth. Thankfully, the plan is successful.

6. Ms. Marvel is putting together a team (The Marvels)

Over the course of The Marvels, Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel, decides that she likes being part of a team. At the end of the film, Kamala uses a SABER data pad left behind at her house to track down Kate Bishop, revealing plans to build a team of her own, which she wants Kate to join. This, of course, hints at the formation of some version of the Young Avengers in the MCU.

This scene is expanded upon through an Easter Egg in Daredevil: Born Again Season one, where Amir Khan offhandedly mentions to Matt Murdock that his daughter is visiting friends in San Francisco. This is, not so coincedentally, where Scott Lang, and more notably, his daughter Cassie, are based.

7. Battle against the Deadpool Corps (Deadpool and Wolverine)

Late in Deadpool and Wolverine, villain Cassandra Nova enlists an army of Deadpool variants, known as the Deadpool Corps, to keep Logan and our main Deadpool from reaching her in time to thwart her plan to destroy all realities except the void. Thankfully, as it turns out, Logan and Deadpool have become a rather deadly team.

The new dynamic duo successfully fight their way through the Deadpool variants, to the tune of a 'Battle Royale' remix of Madonna's 'Like a Prayer'. The scene scores added points for giving fans their first glimpse of Wolverine's comic-accurate cowl.

8. "Daddy, I'm so alone!" (Thunderbolts*)

Facing a low point after their crushing defeat at the hands of Sentry, the Thunderbolts appear to go their separate ways. After initially rejecting Alexei's attempts to comfort her, Yelena finally breaks down over her life's many regrets. Alexei, after spending most of the film as goofy comic relief, offers some surprisingly insightful advice:

"You're stuck, you're alone, you look only at the bad. When I look at you, I don't see your mistakes. That's why we need each other."

It is a perfect reminder of the film's underlying message that, flawed or not people need people. The exchange drives Yelena's actions moving into the film's climax.

9. "You're not alone" (Thunderbolts*)

Yelena soon ventures into the growing Void in the hope of rescuing Bob from within. She locates Bob, the other Thunderbolts manage to join them, and they work together to fight their way through each of Bob's shame rooms.

They eventually reach The Void, which Bob then attempts to fight. However, as The Void is a part of him, this only makes things worse, spreading the darkness. Yelena fights her way to Bob, and embraces him, soon joined by the rest of the team, to remind him he is not alone. Saving the world with 'The Power of Friendship' can often come across as cheesy, but Thunderbolts* presents a perfect example of the trope done well.

10. Meet The New Avengers (Thunderbolts*)

To the team's great surprise, Valentina takes advantage of the Thunderbolts' unexpected heroism, using the press conference that had been intended for Sentry's public debut to announce the team as the New Avengers. Yelena, now wise to Val's antics, wastes no time informing her that the New Avengers, knowing the truth of what happened and Val's role in it, are now in control.

"We own you now."

It was a perfect set up for what's to come in Phase Six.

Check back soon for a look at the most memorable moments from the MCU's Phase 5 TV Series!