Isn’t odd how people’s inner psychopath comes out when talking about movies? Try talking to a friend and guaranteed they’ll talk about how badly they want to see Captain America die in Avengers: Endgame. Regardless, it’s true that a lot of people will probably die in Avengers: Endgame.
Even with that said Marvel will somehow still manage to pack in a bunch of hilarious dialogue despite that movie’s inherently dark plot. Avengers: Endgame is quickly approaching and it’s a good time to look back at the MCU’s lighter side. Check out the list to see the funniest jokes from the MCU!
I’m Mary Poppins Y’All
Rumor has it that Mary Poppins and Lin Manuel-Miranda make an appearance in Avengers: Endgame in order to kill Thanos. Not really. However, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 contains a hilarious Mary Poppins reference.
The Mary Poppins joke takes place towards the end of the movie. Star-Lord and Yondu descend from the sky after a big battle. Yondu uses his laser arrow to float down. Star-Lord tells Yondu, “You look like Mary Poppins.” To which Yondu replies with the immortal line, “I’m Mary Poppins Y’All!” Actor Michael Rooker’s delivery is what really sells the line.
He’s A Friend From Work
Don’t we all wish we had co-workers as hunky as Chris Hemsworth? Thor: Ragnarok is easily one of the funniest movies in the MCU. It’s no secret that director Taika Waititi encouraged his actors to improvise majority of the film's dialogue.
It’s cool to note that the greatest part of the movie’s first encounter between Thor and Hulk is actually a line that was improvised by a child. Specifically, a kid from Make-A-Wish had visited the set one day and suggested that Thor describes Hulk as “a friend from work.” Isn’t that awesome? Not only is this one of the funniest lines in the MCU, but there’s also an incredibly touching story behind its inception.
Shakespeare In The Park
It seems like the MCU has made it a rule for every superhero to not only be really strong, but they also have to be super funny as well. The Avengers definitely doubles down on this notion. That movie has an incredible ability to find comedy in all of the moments where the superheroes first meet one another.
One particularly great scene is when Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor meet each other for the first time. Their encounter ends up resulting in a battle. The fight scene culminates in a public park. Thor tells Iron Man, “You have no idea what you’re dealing with.” Iron Man says, “Uh…Shakespeare in the park?” The scenes where The Avengers first clash could’ve gone in any direction. Thank goodness director Joss Whedon chooses to inject these moments with hilarious dialogue.
Why is Gamora?!
There's nothing like a good grammar joke. One specific comedic beat that stands out in Avengers: Infinity War takes place when the Guardians of the Galaxy first meet Iron Man. At this point in the movie Thanos has already captured Gamora. Star-Lord exclaims, “Where’s Gamora?!” Iron Man’s response is, “I’ll do you even better: who is Gamora?”
This is when Drax drops the hilarious line, “I’ll do you one better: why is Gamora?!” What’s really cool is that Dave Bautista improvised this line. It shows that the MCU actors are so keyed into their roles that they have the ability to understand what their characters should say in different situations.
Hulk Like Raging Fire
It’s incredible (pun intended) how the Hulk is actually a pretty malleable character. Movies like the 2003 Hulk interpret the character as a giant naked man that likes to run around and punch his abusive father. Conversely, the MCU depicts the Hulk as a giant rage monster who also happens to have a softer side.
One of the best moments in Thor: Ragnarok that shows off Hulk’s gentler side is when he tries to empathize with Thor. Thor tells the Hulk that he believes the two of them have similar personalities. He says, “We’re kind of both like fire.” Hulk’s response? “But Hulk like real fire. Hulk like raging fire. Thor like smoldering fire.” What’s great is that the line shows Hulk attempting to connect with Thor while also not being able to let go of his desire to be the strongest Avenger.
I Become Invisible
Can we just have an entire movie of Drax saying outrageous one-liners? Thanks. Leave it up to Avengers: Infinity War to have another one of the best MCU lines of all time.
The particular scene revolves around Star-Lord and Gamora talking to each other aboard their spaceship. Just as the scene is about to get really intimate they notice that Drax has actually been watching them the entire time. Star-Lord asks, “How long have you been standing there?” Drax says, “An hour…I’ve mastered the ability of standing so incredibly still that I’ve become invisible to the eye.” The line is so unexpected, but it makes so much sense when it’s delivered in such earnest and deadpan fashion by Dave Bautista.
Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist
Imagine how different this line would sound coming from an average Joe Shmoe? It’d be more like, “High School Diploma, $30,000 a year plus 401k, I’ve briefly dated two girls in the past, and I volunteered for a homeless shelter once.”
The real version of this line is in The Avengers. It’s another great example of Joss Whedon’s ability to write fantastic dialogue for each of the characters. Captain America asks Tony Stark, “Big man in a suit of armor. Take that away and what are you?” Stark proclaims that he's a “Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.” Even though it’s great to see these heroes work together, it’s also fun to watch them clash.
He’s Adopted
We get that Odin does some sort of hocus pocus in order to give baby Loki more human-like characteristics. But, considering that Loki is part Frost Giant how in the world is he so much shorter than the rest of the other Frost Giants? Loki is the world’s smallest giant.
Anyway, Loki’s adoption is the source of one of the best links in The Avengers. There’s a scene where the heroes talk about how Loki is evil. Despite this, Thor attempts to defend Loki’s honor. Black Widow explains that Loki, “Killed eighty people in two days.” Thor clears his throat and flatly says, “He’s adopted.” The best aspect of this line is that its success lives and dies by the audience’s awareness of Loki’s backstory. Loki’s lineage had been revealed all the way back in Thor. The MCU trusts that viewers are able to keep up with everymovie's plotline.
Get Lost Squidward
SpongeBob references are the gift that keeps on giving. So much so that a SpongeBob joke somehow makes its way into Avengers: Infinity War. The set up is that Iron Man comes face to face with Thanos’ right-hand man (alien), Ebony Maw.
Tony speaks for everyone when he tells Maw, “Get lost Squidward.” The funniest part of the insult is that audiences were probably subconsciously trying to think about who Maw looks like. Tony happens to hit the nail right on the head.
I Am Groot
If anyone were to say “I am Groot” prior to the release of Guardians of the Galaxy, they would’ve most likely been looked at like a crazy person. Somehow the MCU had been able to take a line known only by hardcore comic book fans and turned it into a pop culture staple.
“I am Groot” is like Chewbacca’s growl but ten times more endearing. I am Groot can describe emotions, places, people, and pretty much anything. An easier way of saying this is, “We are Groot.”