The Avengers Review
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It has been years in the making since the first "Iron Man" film. It has been hinted in other Marvel films such as "Thor", "The Incredible Hulk", and "Captain America: The First Avenger." At last "The Avengers" has arrived and the biggest question is, does it work? Does it live up to the hype? Check out the review.
Story - Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army. The Avengers story works for the most the part, it's your typical summer superhero plot line, that's not a bad thing at all. The real drive that makes The Avengers story move is the interaction of the characters. While the basic plot is simple, Loki trying to take over the Earth and control the unlimited energy source Earth has in their possession. It's the subplots of the characters that really bring you into the film. For example Captain America struggling to fit into a modern world was a big focus and one of the keys that drives the movie. Seeing the movie unfold mainly from Captain America's perspective was a smart move and it made sense. Captain America is the leader of The Avengers after all and seeing it unfold from his eyes works well. This doesn't mean the other heroes get the back burner. Director Joss Whedon did a wonderful job of balancing screen time of all the characters. Whedon manage to show struggles of Thor and Loki relationship, Bruce Banner struggle of still being The Hulk and Tony Stark's suspicion of S.H.I.E.L.D intentions. While the character interaction work really well, there is a few problems with The Avengers.
We still don't get a decent backstory on Nick Fury. With a couple of cameo's under his belt, I expected The Avengers to let us in on who is the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. How did he get there? What is his struggles? A little story on Nick Fury would have been nice for those not familiar with the comics. Another character who wasn't explored too much was Hawkeye. Hawkeye is just guy with the arrows, you do see the relationship he has with Black Widow, but that's mainly it. Speaking of Black Widow she gets more backstory and more time in this film, we get a little glimpse of who she is, why she join S.H.I.E.L.D and her relationship with Hawkeye. Other than that and a few pacing problems in the first act, this is a great first movie and a wonderful way to kick off the summer. There is even little hints on what's to come in The Avengers 2, pay attention to what Thor says. Overall the story is a good with a couple of flaws, somethings are explored more than others, but it all comes together in the third act which will make any Avenger fan scream for joy.
Acting - The acting is superb! I would say these actors were born to play these roles. Chris Evans is at the top of his game as Cap and I really loved a certain emotional scene he has. Robert Downey Jr. always is a delight to watch as Tony Stark. Chris Hemsworth shines as Thor. Mark Ruffalo played a very good Bruce Banner, fans will miss Edward Norton, but Mark Ruffalo nailed Bruce just as good or even better, it does help that he looks like he can become The Hulk. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, it's Samuel L. Jackson nothing more to say. To finish up Cobie Smulders was great as S.H.I.E.L.D agent Maria Hill. Scarlett and Jeremy play their roles of Black Widow and Hawkeye very well. The real show stealer is Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Loki was menacing, bone chilling at times and his interrogation scene with Black Widow will show you how amazing Tom really is as Loki. Everyone plays well off each other and there is great chemistry all around, especially with Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. The acting is solid and packs a punch.
Music & Filmmaking - The music works well. It was composed by Alan Sivestri, he did a great job with "Captain America: The First Avenger", the score shines during the action scenes and a couple of emotional scenes. It feels tense and does a great job of building you up for the final act. The action scenes are mind blowing, especially in the final act. Comic fans don't worry Cap leads, Hulk Smashes and Iron Man does his thing. The CGI on The Hulk is actually way better than "The Incredible Hulk" movie. Motion capture on Ruffalo's face makes his transformation of The Hulk more believable. Joss Whedon has done a wonderful job with his camera shots, the action is not too close for us not to understand what's going on. Everything was planned and executed very well, from the designs, the costumes to the settings. This is a beautiful movie to watch.
Final Grade B+/**** Out Of 5 Stars - The Avengers is a great start what looks to be a promising summer. This movie has it all for a superhero movie, a great villain, great cast and action pack sequences. Some key characters weren't explored as much as they should have been, the first two acts might drag a little, but the final act makes it all worth while. Geeks all over the world it's time to assemble!
Story - Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army. The Avengers story works for the most the part, it's your typical summer superhero plot line, that's not a bad thing at all. The real drive that makes The Avengers story move is the interaction of the characters. While the basic plot is simple, Loki trying to take over the Earth and control the unlimited energy source Earth has in their possession. It's the subplots of the characters that really bring you into the film. For example Captain America struggling to fit into a modern world was a big focus and one of the keys that drives the movie. Seeing the movie unfold mainly from Captain America's perspective was a smart move and it made sense. Captain America is the leader of The Avengers after all and seeing it unfold from his eyes works well. This doesn't mean the other heroes get the back burner. Director Joss Whedon did a wonderful job of balancing screen time of all the characters. Whedon manage to show struggles of Thor and Loki relationship, Bruce Banner struggle of still being The Hulk and Tony Stark's suspicion of S.H.I.E.L.D intentions. While the character interaction work really well, there is a few problems with The Avengers.
We still don't get a decent backstory on Nick Fury. With a couple of cameo's under his belt, I expected The Avengers to let us in on who is the leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. How did he get there? What is his struggles? A little story on Nick Fury would have been nice for those not familiar with the comics. Another character who wasn't explored too much was Hawkeye. Hawkeye is just guy with the arrows, you do see the relationship he has with Black Widow, but that's mainly it. Speaking of Black Widow she gets more backstory and more time in this film, we get a little glimpse of who she is, why she join S.H.I.E.L.D and her relationship with Hawkeye. Other than that and a few pacing problems in the first act, this is a great first movie and a wonderful way to kick off the summer. There is even little hints on what's to come in The Avengers 2, pay attention to what Thor says. Overall the story is a good with a couple of flaws, somethings are explored more than others, but it all comes together in the third act which will make any Avenger fan scream for joy.
Acting - The acting is superb! I would say these actors were born to play these roles. Chris Evans is at the top of his game as Cap and I really loved a certain emotional scene he has. Robert Downey Jr. always is a delight to watch as Tony Stark. Chris Hemsworth shines as Thor. Mark Ruffalo played a very good Bruce Banner, fans will miss Edward Norton, but Mark Ruffalo nailed Bruce just as good or even better, it does help that he looks like he can become The Hulk. Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, it's Samuel L. Jackson nothing more to say. To finish up Cobie Smulders was great as S.H.I.E.L.D agent Maria Hill. Scarlett and Jeremy play their roles of Black Widow and Hawkeye very well. The real show stealer is Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Loki was menacing, bone chilling at times and his interrogation scene with Black Widow will show you how amazing Tom really is as Loki. Everyone plays well off each other and there is great chemistry all around, especially with Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. The acting is solid and packs a punch.
Music & Filmmaking - The music works well. It was composed by Alan Sivestri, he did a great job with "Captain America: The First Avenger", the score shines during the action scenes and a couple of emotional scenes. It feels tense and does a great job of building you up for the final act. The action scenes are mind blowing, especially in the final act. Comic fans don't worry Cap leads, Hulk Smashes and Iron Man does his thing. The CGI on The Hulk is actually way better than "The Incredible Hulk" movie. Motion capture on Ruffalo's face makes his transformation of The Hulk more believable. Joss Whedon has done a wonderful job with his camera shots, the action is not too close for us not to understand what's going on. Everything was planned and executed very well, from the designs, the costumes to the settings. This is a beautiful movie to watch.
Final Grade B+/**** Out Of 5 Stars - The Avengers is a great start what looks to be a promising summer. This movie has it all for a superhero movie, a great villain, great cast and action pack sequences. Some key characters weren't explored as much as they should have been, the first two acts might drag a little, but the final act makes it all worth while. Geeks all over the world it's time to assemble!
