Captain America
Summer 2011 has well and truly belonged to Marvel having already notched up two number one movies in recent weeks.
And there is potential of a third this week with the release of the highly anticipated Captain America: The First Avenger.
The summer season was kicked off by Thor as Kenneth Branagh directed a big budget blockbuster for the very first time - whilst also casting a little known actor in the title role.
Yes it Chris Hemsworth stepped up to the plate to lead the cast in the movie - and what a shrewd move that proved to be as Hemsworth has been the action hero of the summer.
Hemsworth moved effortlessly between action and comedy and back again as he demonstrates fine leading man qualities that will surely pave the way for great success.
His star surely should rise off the back of this performance - he is currently reprising his role in The Avengers.
A sequel is already in the pipeline but, sadly, it looks like Branagh may not be returning for a second bite of the cherry.
This could have a huge impact on the franchise as I feel that Branagh's vision and direction is a real positive aspect of the movie.
His inexperience in this genre of film actually works in Thor's favour as he never loses sight of the characters and the story - a movie that could so easily get carried away with special effects, gimmicks and action set pieces never strays from telling the tale.
Thor put in a very solid $443 million at the global box office - and it really did deserve to do so much better.
Just a few weeks later and a new X-Men movie attempted to follow in Thor's footsteps - something which it did achieve.
Matthew Vaughn was finally in the director's chair - after being linked with X-Men: The Last Stand - as he took the X-Men story back to the sixties.
Gone were the familiar faces of Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart as Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy took over the role of Erik and Charles - two young men grappling with their powers.
The central relationship of Erik and Charles is what drives this movie forward as a friendship and understanding develops between the pair that never wavers.
X-Men: First Class is also a fine looking movie as Vaughn brings his A game to the chair as he delivers a fast paced and exciting ride.
First Class followed Thor to the top of the U.S. and UK box office and has so far grossed $342 million - another movie that deserved to do better.
This week sees Chris Evans brings his version of Steve Rogers to the big screen as Joe Johnston brings this all American hero to the big screen.
Evans is currently reprising the role for The Avengers as the selfless Rogers will find himself working alongside the selfish Tony Stark - once again to be played by Robert Downey Jr.
Steve Rogers volunteers to participate in an experimental program that turns him into the Super Soldier known as Captain America.
As Captain America, Rogers joins forces with Bucky Barnes and Peggy Carter to wage war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull.
And Marvel looks set to see it's success continue with The Avengers due for release next year as well as further Thor and Iron Man projects in the pipeline.
Captain America: The First Avenger is released 29th July.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Thor