It’s doubtful anyone would ever praise the films in the MCU for their scripts, but the various movies that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe have had their fair share of quippy one-liners and pieces of dialogue that you can connect with. So in honor of Avengers: Infinity War on Friday, the Dames look back at the Marvel lines that made them smile, cry, or hate.
Kristen’s 5
Full disclosure, we’ve done two Marvel-centric 5’s and I still have no love for them.
“Piss off, ghost” –Thor: Ragnarok
I had so much fun with Thor: Ragnarok last year that, between it and Black Panther, made think there might be some merit to these superhero movies you all love. This line comes from our favorite rock sidekick Korg (played by director Taika Waititi) as he swoops in to save Thor from Loki. Unfortunately Loki’s hologram disappears leaving Korg’s declaration just hanging in the air. I still say this at home, complete with kick, when something happens.
“Odin. Proud to have it…shame of how he got it” –Thor: Ragnarok
I contemplated doing Valkyrie’s “dranks” line but instead went with an element of Thor: Ragnarok I appreciated and that’s its acknowledgement of colonialism. Hela brings this point up when she looks at the quasi-religious paintings in Asgard that deify Odin while casually ignoring the war and devastation that allowed him to see himself that way. It’s a very complex plot point that would have just been ignored in any other movie. It’s this film’s “better to reign in Hell” moment. (Yes, I just elevated a Thor movie to Milton-level.)
“I’m your king” –Black Panther
So, do you all remember when I said there was a line in Black Panther to put Michael B. Jordan in the #2 spot on my list? Yeah, it was this one. I’ve been accused of giving this a dirtier history than it has in the film….and they’d be right. It’s just hot, dammit!
“You’re not the only monster on the team” –Avengers: Age of Ultron
Why is the line where Black Widow compares her infertility to being a monster on a list of my favorite lines? Because it was the moment I finally felt comfortable saying, “Fuck you, Joss Whedon!”
“You would kill me, my love?” “For Wakanda, without question” –Black Panther
I love this exchange! For starters, it subverts the idea that only a woman has to choose between love and country and gives Okoye all the power. It’s just such a brilliant moment where the character dynamics shift, gender roles are swapped, and it just makes me happy. I mean, I didn’t want Daniel Kaluuya’s character to die but if he had to….yay feminism!
Karen’s 5
I guarantee I’m the biggest Marvel fan among us Dames. I love every one of them. Well, except for that Age of Ultron business, and I’m not keen on Iron Man 2. But all the rest? I love them. And as you can imagine, I have a lot of favorite lines. Narrowing it down to five was tough, but that task was made easier by the fact that a bunch have already been included on this list, so I got to pick other ones. Thanks, ladies!
Pepper: I think I understand why you don’t want to give up the suits. What have I got to complain about now?
Tony: Well, it’s me. You’ll find something.
–Iron Man 3
I’m just going to say that I love Pepper and Tony, even though she’s light years ahead of him and he totally doesn’t deserve her. Their bantering back and forth, sometimes escalating to bickering, is always fun, especially because she’s the one person he can’t just run over.
“Hi, Auntie.” —Black Panther
I know Kristen loves the line about being king, but I just crack up at the way Killmonger introduces himself to the council, and finishes it up with this funny little throwaway line at Ramonda, played by Angela Bassett. It’s so playful and goofy in a scene where he is essentially usurping the throne and further serves to make Killmonger one of the most interesting villains in the entire MCU.
“I’m Mary Poppins, y’all!” —Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol 2
How can you not love this line?
Thor: She’s too powerful. I have no hammer.
Odin: What are you? Thor, God of Hammers?
—Thor: Ragnarok
Honestly, I could just quote the entire script of Thor: Ragnarok as my favorite, but this line was a particular gem to me because I always love some straight (but funny) pep talking from dear old dad.
Luis: Yeah, this dude sounds like a bad-ass, man. Like he comes up to him and he says, y’know: I’m looking for this dude who’s mo’ unseen, who’s flashing this fresh tat, who’s got, like, bomb moves, right? Who you got? She’s like: Well, we got everything nowadays. We got a guy who jumps, we got a guy who swings, we got a guy who crawls up the walls, you gotta be more specific. And he’s like: I’m looking for a guy who shrinks. And I’m like: Daaamn! I got all nervous, ’cause I keep mad secrets for you, bro. So I asked Ignacio: Did bad-ass tell the stupid fine writer chick, to tell you, to tell me, because I’m tight with that man that he’s looking for him?
Scott: And? What’d he say?
Luis: He said yes.
—Ant-Man
This works because of Michael Peña’s pitch perfect delivery. I can’t wait to see him again in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Lauren’s 5
OK, so I’m not the biggest Marvel fan. I mean, I liked Iron Man, and Captain America: The First Avenger has Chris Evans without a shirt, and Black Panther was pretty awesome, but if I’m honest…I just don’t care that much about Marvel movies. I recognize their importance and I get why people love them, but…yeah. So, here are my quotes, because there is one person who is, truly, the best part of Marvel; indeed, the best part of 21st Century cinema.
“Time works real different around these parts. On any other world I would be millions of years old but here on Sakaar…” – Thor: Ragnarok
Is there anything better than Goldblum appreciating the glory that is Goldblum?
“Why are you handing me the Melt Stick? He was interrupting. That’s not a capital violation.” – Thor: Ragnarok
The Grandmaster is a benevolent dictator, you see.
“I didn’t hear any thunder, but out of your fingers – was that sparkles?” – Thor: Ragnarok
Hehehe.
“Well, I tried to start a revolution, but didn’t print enough pamphlets so hardly anyone turned up. Except for my mum and her boyfriend, who I hate.” – Thor: Ragnarok
Fine. Here. I’ll include one line not from The Grandmaster. (I do actually like Korg. He’s hilarious.)
“Can’t have a revolution without somebody to overthrow! So, ah, you’re welcome. And, uh, it’s a tie.” – Thor: Ragnarok
Best. Final. Line. Ever
Kim’s 5
“I’ve knocked out Adolph Hitler over 200 times”- Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger is still my favorite Marvel movie. Everything about this movie works. This line stands out as one of the best in the film. It has quotability, and is quite memorable due to Evans’ delightful delivery… not to mention the lingering historical relevance in contemporary society.
“I’m made of rocks, but don’t let that intimidate you, unless you’re made of scissors”- Thor: Ragnarok
Thor: Ragnarok is a delightful movie, pure and simple. There are a number of lines which could possibly make this list. In fact, it was quite difficult to choose. I settled on this quirky bit of awesomeness due to the fact that I adore Korg as a character. Director Taika Waititi lends his vocal talents to the character and absolutely sells every aspect of the rock creature.
“That man is playing Galaga! He thought we wouldn’t notice, but we did”- The Avengers
I’ve admitted it before…Joss Whedon’s writing makes me happy. Very happy. As a result, I could put any number of lines from The Avengers on this list. This particular line holds a large amount of personal significance to yours truly. It was my pub trivia team name! So much of this line is rooted in delightfulness, down to Robert Downey Jr’s stellar delivery.
“I’m not seeking penance for what I’ve done, Father. I’m asking forgiveness for what I’m about to do.”- Daredevil
Charlie Cox managed to do what I wasn’t sure could happen; he resurrected Matt Murdoch. This quote admittedly comes from television, but Daredevil is responsible for jumpstarting the Marvel series on Netflix. Cox is a perfect choice to personify the complexity in Matt Murdoch as a character, and the young actor holds a lot of the series success on his shoulders.
“Peggy, this is my choice. I’m gonna need a rain check on that dance”
“A week, next Saturday at the stork club. 8 o’clock on the dot. Don’t you dare be late. Understood”
“I still don’t know how to dance.”
“I’ll show you how, just be there.”- Captain America: The First Avenger
Okay, this isn’t a line, but a series of them. So, I guess I’m cheating. I (admittedly) still break down at the end of this movie. Between the performances and chemistry between the film’s leads, as well as the shooting and aesthetic style behind the movie, I find it incredibly powerful and moving. Peggy Carter is (and always will be) my favorite Marvel female lead, and I ship Steve and Peggy hard. He could have had that dance! (*sob).