Saturday, May 5, 2012

"The Avengers"...Now that's a Superhero Team!!!



Two words for ya…Epic Proportions!! That is how I would describe the new summer Marvel hit The Avengers. I have been waiting on this movie since the first Iron Man came out in 2008. You just knew it was going to happen… just because!!

The Avengers was a flick that I was excited and nervous about all at the same time. Excited for the obvious reason (comic book nerd) and nervous because not every comic book movie has been successful, especially when there are multiple big name character involved. This is one of THE best adventure movies I've seen in a good while!! I mean the movie is pure AWESOME. To have such comic book giants (in some cases literally) as Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and The Hulk in one film and it work speaks volumes. 


Director Joss Whedon, who is most known for the television series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, studies the foundation that was built in the prior films and transports to the big screen “the greatest team of superheroes in film history”…The Avengers: Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk/Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) as "amassed" by Nick Fury. Whedon's whose scripts typically include clever banter, spellbinding action sequences and an “air of mystery” and this is no different with The Avengers. It is quite clear that Whedon has an utter love for comic books, and it is evidently displayed with this movie.

Perfect Chemistry…That’s what each one of these characters brought to the film. One could not ask for a better cast.  Not only did they blend together, but they were essentially working together sweet harmony!! Everyone was able to get his or her fair share without it feeling like it was all about one person. Now I must admit I was not initially on the wagon with Mark Ruffalo playing Bruce Banner/The Hulk, but he convinced me with his performance! The Hulk showed up and showed out in a big way. And to know surprise, Downey plays Stark almost effortlessly, delivering lines with ease allowing his charisma, charm and smugness to gleam through; there is not a doubt in my mind Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark! Chris Evans' congeals himself in the role of Captain America, and further assures us that he is America’s hero. He truly holds his own standing alongside Iron Man and Thor. Then you have Chris Hemsworth's Asgardian god Thor who has some extraordinary battle scenes and indirectly provides one of the film's most hilarious moments. Clearly after being seriously underutilized in Iron Man 2, we get to see full development of Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow, this helps in developing the character and provides an opportunity to prove she is much more than just a pretty face; she's physically dangerous along with being psychologically deadly. Even Hawkeye brings an element to the team as a force to be reckoned with at all times. Don’t let the bow an arrow fool you now. And finally, Nick Fury is more than just a surprise appearance. Fury is finally able to maximize his potential and stretch his legs some, Jackson actually fits the role quite easily.


And I can’t forget Agent Caulson (Clark Gregg) [love this guy…dry wit, humor and all] along with Cobie Smulders who makes her Marvel films debut as Agent Maria Hill, and she is definitely a welcomed addition. Also what’s a comic book hero without a villain…Thor's adopted-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) brings an excellent dynamic as he is able to hold his own in the midst of some huge heavyweights. Each character may have their egos and big guns, but when it came to saving the world they some how seem to create a diamond mine out of a junkyard. That was what I feared most but they did not disappoint. They held it together with “style and grace”.


If I had any issues with the film it was just the fact that Hawkeye being the character that he is got a little too much “face-time” for my liking, but at least the performance was good though. And my other minor gripe was with the development of Bruce Banner and The Hulk.  Now this may seem like I am nit-picking but it would have been nice to see how Banner was able to control over The Hulk (that seems like a vital piece to the puzzle. And let me make note it was not all serious, but plenty of humor as well. This is what made it a well-balanced film.

I will admit the movie is over 2 hours but its worth every minute. This movie on so many levels brings out the best in everything from the characters, to the plot, the cinematography, the action, it just all works. In a weird and unique kind of way it draws on all of your emotions in one single sitting. To be honest films like Star Trek and Transformers could learn a lesson from a film like The Avengers. How you ask? Pull from every angle and go deeper, you can’t just scratch the surface and it be ok!


***As usual with most if not all Marvel films, make sure to stay around for the post credit sequence, which will provides a surprising reveal.

This was the perfect movie to start out the summer!! Quite impressive!! Now I am hyped and on a super high!! Bring on the next one!!

Rating: 9 out 10

1 comment:

AMERICA'S MANSION said...

I give this movie 10/10 with ease, for the reasons that you stated and because the final moments of the movie were just too epic for words! And I will admit, I wanted to see this movie because of the Hulk. With him being my favorite superhero and having been redeveloped and reissued on the big screen two other times, I was just anxious to how this Hulk was going to look and hey, there was no disappointment! This was just a great movie and I enjoyed every moment of it. I have seen the film twice and I will for a third round before it parts ways with the big screen!

G-Breezy's Favorite Movies

  • Bourne Identity/Supremacy/Ultimatum
  • Die Hard series
  • Do the Right Thing
  • Fracture
  • Idlewild
  • Imitation of Life
  • Inside Man
  • James Bond series
  • Love Jones
  • Malcolm X