8 Years Later, Marvel’s Funniest Moment Still Belongs to Mark Ruffalo

When people think of what the Marvel Cinematic Universe has given to the cinema industry over the last 17 years, most would look to the way it made interconnected universes mainstream, with every other studio trying to launch their own cinematic franchise to varying degrees of success. However, there is arguably another contribution that has been far more significant: what is known as the “Marvel formula.” Beginning with Iron Man and continuing through every MCU film to date, this formula refers to the way comedy and drama are blended in Marvel films, with high stakes undercut by banter and gags that maintain a fun tone.

This has led to some truly hilarious moments, as well as times when fans became sick of how repetitive this formula became, even infecting other franchises with movies like Star Wars: The Last Jedi being critiqued for using too much comedy. However, one moment stands out above all others as a laugh-out-loud scene that becomes funnier with every rewatch: Bruce Banner’s (Mark Ruffalo) embarrassing mishap in the Hulk-Buster armor during Avengers: Infinity War. It’s not the first time Ruffalo has shown his comedic chops in the MCU, but this one shines through because of its simplicity and slapstick delivery that actually makes more sense than one might first assume.

Bruce Delivers the Funniest Moment of the MCU in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’

For many, including myself, Infinity War is their favorite MCU movie, so it’s no surprise that this is where Bruce’s fantastic gag comes from. For those who need a refresher, the moment occurs when everyone is gearing up to fight Thanos (Josh Brolin) in Wakanda, and the army is heading towards the battlefield. Decked out in the Hulk-Buster armor since Hulk won’t help after being beaten up by Thanos, Banner is running alongside the ships, showing a far happier side to the character who enjoys the freedom of being able to move like the Hulk without the emotional rage behind it. However, before he can enjoy his newfound suit any longer, Banner trips on a rock and faceplants, sliding for about 20 feet.

Bruce has previously contributed some of the best comedic moments of the MCU, such as when he ragdolls Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in The Avengers or flops onto the rainbow bridge in Thor: Ragnarok, but this gag is perfectly executed in its slapstick nature. The weight and size of the Hulk-Buster armor is conveyed through the sheer force with which Bruce faceplants and how long his slide is dragged out for, making the audience feel the idiocy of the moment. The balance of the stakes of the battle against Thanos’ forces and the hysterical fall is the kind of humor that works perfectly in the MCU.

Bruce’s Hilarious Gag Isn’t Just For the Sake of Comedy in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’

Image via Marvel Studios

What makes the scene work more than other MCU gags is how it isn’t a random moment that is only designed to make people laugh. There are practical functions to it as well. The fall sets up how difficult the Hulk-Buster armor actually is to control. Audiences had become so accustomed to seeing Tony (Robert Downey Jr.) operate his machinery that they needed reminding of just how complex they are. It also raises the stakes of the battle later on, when Bruce is getting overwhelmed by the Chitauri and fighting one of Thanos’ children, because the audience has seen that he is not in complete control of his weaponry, making it all the more impressive when he manages to achieve victory.

Few people are as naturally funny as Mark Ruffalo, who can use awkwardness and clumsiness to great effect, and this scene in Infinity War proves that. There will still be those who hate the Marvel formula and believe it is a weak addition that ruins the stakes or drama of a film. However, while there is validity to that argument, that doesn’t mean the formula doesn’t sometimes produce moments of genuine humor. If you’re still having doubts, go and watch this gag 100 times, and you’ll find you’re still howling for the hundredth time just as hard as you were the first time you saw it in theaters.

Release Date

April 27, 2018

Runtime

149 minutes

Writers

Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely

Producers

Chris Castaldi, James Gunn, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Stan Lee, Victoria Alonso, Alan Fine

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  Robert Downey Jr.

  Tony Stark / Iron Man

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  Chris Evans

  Steve Rogers / Captain America