The MCU has amassed nearly two dozen movies, which consistently earned favorable reviews and massive profit. Since Iron Man first released in 2008, the MCU has become one of the largest cultural phenomenons of all time. So, it’s always interesting to see what deep cuts that universe is willing to accept. At times, it’s just a playful nickname. Elsewhere, it completely endangers the stability of its own existence, given how many stars have joined the Marvel franchise. Also, pop culture references are pretty risky. They might feel shoehorned, or corny. They could even badly date your movie. But the MCU usually gets it right, so let’s reminisce on ten of its greatest references.
Try Me, Beyoncé
Doctor Strange was a surprisingly effective film, though it bears a number of similarities to Iron Man. The protagonist is another arrogant, quippy genius with a heart, who becomes a hero whilst fixing himself. But Benedict Cumberbatch brings a wry, smarmy kind of comedy to his character. Tony is far more blunt and fast-talking. In this selection, Strange confronts Wong, played by Benedict Wong. Strange pokes fun at Wong’s adamant use of a singular name, by equating it to Beyoncé. Moments later, we cut to a really fun gag. Strange steals books through portals, while Wong listens to “Single Ladies”, possibly for the first time.
His Personal Flying Monkeys
Captain America didn’t quite become a full-fledged tough guy until Winter Soldier, acquiring super-spy status. His silly outfit in The Avengers didn’t help, a far cry from the rugged, tactical suit he later returned to. But his age is frequently the object of many jokes, with various success. In Winter Soldier, he actually has a list of pop culture he needs to catch up on. But his long absence from entertainment is hilariously pointed out in The Avengers. Nick Fury wants to know how Loki turned people into his own “flying monkeys”, and Rogers recognizes it. Awkwardly, he acknowledges the very dated reference.
Exactly like Footloose!
This is something of a meta ribbing about Guardians of the Galaxy. The movie literally ended with a dance-off distraction, in order to save the day. It certainly fit the tone of that film, and why not have Earth culture rescue everyone? However, Peter Parker is quick to point out the similarity of that strategy with the conclusion of Footloose. Quill—ahem, Star Lord—is clearly a big fan. The other Peter isn’t, and Spider-Man finally remarks about a movie he actively dislikes. Quill asks if “it’s still the greatest movie”, and Parker justifiably rejects the notion that it ever was. It’s always fun when the MCU is self-aware of its silliness, and Footloose is definitely 80’s enough to be divisive.
What The Hell?
This selection is actually a dual-layered pop culture reference. Firstly, it’s a very appropriate cameo from Garrett Morris, from SNL. He played the first live-action incarnation of Ant-Man on an SNL sketch, where his abilities are questioned. Ant-Man’s troubled popularity is often joked about in the MCU, where even kids aren’t familiar with him. So, Morris’ representation wasn’t too far off. But secondly, Morris’ line is “what the hell?”, as in The Terminator. In that 1984 classic, a random guy parked in his vehicle also sees someone materialize out of thin air.
Now You’re Off With The Super Friends
Marvel and DC have a long history as perpetual rivals. That has mostly dissipated in the wake of the DCEU, which is its own worst enemy. People don’t really compare the MCU to the DCEU, which attempted to jump on the shared universe bandwagon too quickly. More so, fans mainly dispute the value of the DCEU independently. However, in Iron Man 3, Tony’s confidant Happy explains how things have changed. He does so by telling Tony he’s been “off with the Super Friends”, a startling nod to DC. Which is killing it on television, and yes, the Super Friends cartoon was both iconic and beloved.
That’s Not How It Works
Avengers: Endgame borrows heavily from the plot of Back to the Future Part II, even while dismissing that franchise’s logic. Time travel has always been a consistently confusing subject in entertainment, explored with highly varied success. In this scene, the characters discuss time travel by applying movie logic. As such, they mention about a dozen movies all at once—even Die Hard, for no reason. In fact, some pretty obscure movies also get a nod. Ultimately, the punchline that Back to the Future was full of it, is terrific. Particularly in retrospect, when Endgame revisits the greatest hits in prior films just like Marty McFly did.
The Path Of The Righteous Man
Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most prolific actors on the planet. He’s been in just about everything, and carries the same gravitas everywhere. He’s typically a tough guy, and can wield comedy astoundingly well. But his most iconic role is probably Jules, from Pulp Fiction. He made a likable killer, arguing over filthy animals and massages. But the scene in which he interrogates a young guy about screwing over his boss, is truly memorable. Jules is known for reciting an Ezekiel verse, just before killing people. That incredible scene appropriately gets an Easter Egg on Fury’s tombstone in Captain America: Winter Soldier.
Are You An Alien?
Alien is one of the best horror movies ever made. It had Ridley Scott’s superb directing, a flawless cast, and Stan Winston’s unmatched wizardry bringing Giger’s iconic design to life. Truly, it was a perfect storm. Harry Dean Stanton played Brett, who died at the hands of the merciless Xenomorph. So, Stanton was the perfect cameo for The Avengers, when the Hulk drops at his feet. He asks if Banner is an alien, and gets a stern refusal. That’s when Stanton perfectly delivers the punchline about having a “condition”, pointing out how strange Banner’s transformation is.
Smells Really Good!
It’s fun that Spider-Man, historically one of the quippiest Marvel characters, gets so many pop culture references. But given his youth, it’s pretty interesting that he’s already seen so many movies. Sure, he refers to franchises that are still going. Such as Alien: Covenant, and Star Wars. However, he’s also familiar with some older movies. Like Footloose, and in this case, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Peter’s shortcut through various backyards, while chasing a van, is organically interwoven and priceless. But Spider-Man: Homecoming is kind enough to admit the plagiarism by throwing Bueller’s scene onto a TV in the background.
You Know, That Really Old Movie
This one probably hurt, for a lot of older fans. Unfortunately, for a kid as young as Peter Parker, The Empire Strikes Back is probably a fairly old movie. Certainly by today’s standards, the effects have long become dated, and 1980 goes back two generations. He doesn’t even know the name of the “Camels” in that movie, which inspires his strategy. But it’s great to see that identical tactic used in Captain America: Civil War, which introduced the MCU Spider-Man. The only true equivalent to the MCU is probably the Star Wars saga itself, and Disney went ahead and bought it. So, that makes this joke clever on various levels.
