The Avengers (or to give it its stupid title Avengers Assemble) is one of the most entertaining films I have seen in quite a while. Managing to avoid the pitfalls of making a ensemble film, Joss Whedon has managed to weave together the heroes and personalities from several great films into a tapestry of non-stop action, which never-the-less still has a heart. It is also more jam packed with humour than a lot of comedies I’ve seen.
The one main advantage that an Avengers film was always going to have was that it didn’t have to explain the genesis of any of its characters. Thanks to some great films over the years we know what an arrogant playboy Tony Stark is, we know how Steve Rogers became Captain America and why a Second World War soldier is still just as young today, we know the relationship between Thor and his brother Loki, and we know that there’s some weird blue energy than ties them all together. The flip side of this was balancing all these characters out, giving them all enough screen time to shine, and making them all connect in a believable way. And Joss Whedon did it perfectly.
A lot of the humour comes from Robert Downey Jr who once again demonstrates that only he could play Tony Stark; and while his relationship with Captain America, Thor, or Mark Ruffalo’s excellent portrayal of Bruce Banner isn’t the heart and soul of the film, it’s these connections that help make the film so enjoyable. Tom Hiddleston is fantastic as Loki. I know a lot of people thought his performance in Thor was really good, but in all honestly I didn’t really think it was that noticeable, but here he is superb. In film of great acting talent, Tom’s is perhaps the standout performance.
The action of course is all tremendous. I saw this in 2D, and couldn’t see how 3D would have made it any better. The final part of the film is non-stop action (actually most of the film is), but it was never boring or repetitive, and the camera moves were fluid enough so that it was never confusing. I also liked the several little Joss Whedon touches that really made the film his. For example I thought that the shuttle that the Avengers fly had more than a passing resemblance to Serenity; and there were also quite a few quick zooms and jerky focusing like in Firefly. On a different note, I thought Loki’s helmet must have been modelled on Hellboy!
Great cast, great action, great story, great film. I’m sure there is a lot more to discuss, but 1) I’m sure other people will do it anyway, and 2) I want to see it again so that I can notice more detail!
Great review. You've pretty much echoed everything I said. It's really enjoyable and I saw it twice myself.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tom. The wife and I both want to see it again; such good fun. I haven't read your review yet, I'll be sure to check it out. I try to avoid reading anyone else's opinion before I write my reviews so that I'm not otherwise influenced. I'm glad my sentiments chime with your own though.
DeleteI try to avoid reviews too which is why I try to see films as soon as possible. My girlfriend is the only person I can find who doesn't like the film, despite enjoying all the previous Marvel films.
DeleteJam-packed full of action, humor, special effects, and superheroes, The Avengers is the perfect way to start off the Summer blockbuster season. I hope that Whedon returns for the sequel that they're talking about doing, but then again, it may be another 4 years until we get to see that again. Nice review Russell. I wonder what will be a bigger flick this Summer: this or The Dark Knight Rises? Can't wait to see that one either!
ReplyDeleteCheers Dan O. Could be a close call between this and Dark Knight Rises. Personally I'm even more excited by Prometheus, but only slightly.
DeleteRuss, I agree with you 100%! Definitely the best superhero movie ever mad as well as one of the most entertaining movies of the past 10 years. It was near perfect!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my brief review of it: http://cinemarvellous.blogspot.com/2012/05/97510-avengers-3d-2012.html
Cheers George. I'll head over and read your review just now.
DeleteAbsolutely a great movie, it will be one of the few that I watch a second time before writing up my review of it.
ReplyDeleteI could have waited until the second viewing as well I guess, but I had a stack of other people's reviews that I wanted to read, so I wanted to get mine out there as well.
DeletePerhaps I'll add any additional thoughts I have as a comment on this post when I've seen it for the second time.
I enjoyed this one very much too. It was great fun, even for someone like me who basically isn't that much into superhero movies, much thanks to Whedon's sense of humor I think. I watched it in 3D. Don't regret you didn't. It added nothing apart from trouble with the subtitles that were blurred and annoying.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I heard from someone else that the subtitles were blurred. I can't remember which blogger it was now, but I think they thought that perhaps it was the cinema at fault. It sounds like it is just the 3D at fault.
DeleteI'm glad you were able to enjoy it even though you're not a superhero movie fan, it was terrific fun. I think Whedon may be hot property in Hollywood after this.
you're making hard for me to wait for med-week when I'm supposed to see this...
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I hope that we haven't all hyped it up too much. I hope that it' worth the wait for you.
DeleteI still don't understand how people enjoy a film more in 3D rather than 2D. A film's enjoyment is how good the film actually is, no?
ReplyDeleteThat aside, Avengers nailed it. On so many levels. It was just so much fun to watch. Though, it wasn't all laughs and had a great amount of heart attached to it. Loved how Thor and Loki's relationship has changed, but not. Thor is so unmoving in his wish for Loki to be redeemed - I love that about Thor. But it's clear that what Loki's doing/done has really taken a toll on him.
Jaina, I absolutely agree about 3D. In fact you were one of the people that convinced me to see it in glorious 2D. I think the only film so far that has been worth seeing in 3D is still Avatar.
DeleteThat's a really good point about Thor. Whereas everyone else is just out to get him, Thor ultimately wants his brother back! Awwww sweet really.