Ror Reviews: Marvel's THE AVENGERS

Ror Reviews: Marvel's THE AVENGERS

Or Avengers Assemble if you really must. Anyway, you might have heard of this one, probably thinking of seeing it. Wanna know what I made of Joss Whedon's little indie project? Click and find out..

Review Opinion
By MarkCassidy - Apr 26, 2012 06:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Avengers

So, the holy grail of CBMs is finally upon us. To say that Marvel's The Avengers is the most anticipated comic book movie of all time is no overstatement. Sure, most of us are just as excited for the Batman threequel coming our way, but Joss Whedon's superhero team-up flick is truly the first of its kind. I don't need to tell you the history, you've been watching right along with me after all! But although those last five Marvel movies have been building to this, and there are obviously some things that carry over, The Avengers feels very much like its own thing, and not - as some previous movies felt at times let's be honest - just a trailer or preview to something bigger. The something bigger is here.

As other reviews have already pointed out, as much as we have seen from The Avengers via clips, trailers and tv spots etc, they have actually done a great job of keeping all of the very best stuff under wraps. What kind of stuff? Well, here we get into spoiler territory. Ordinarily with any other movie like this it would be fine to talk about the various action scenes and set pieces, but with this one I just feel everyone should go in blind - or as blind as possible. I'm sure you all know a few of the superhero smackdowns and face-offs that occur from the trailers, but lets just say the highlight of the entire movie for me was a showdown between two characters that every fan has been anticipating since this movie was announced. One moment in particular that happens in slo-mo is instantly iconic, and when the movie is out a while is sure to adorn many a desktop background. The rest of the action scenes are expertly handled and come fast and frequent, but that slightly longer run-time means they never engulf the movie. Whedon ensures just as much time is given to character interactions and development, and in a movie that features so many, that is no small feat.



Performance wise it's pretty much a success across the board. Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans are all better in this than they were in their own solo movies - some more credit to Mr Whedon I think - and Scarlett Johansson gives a much more assured account of herself as Black Widow than she did in Iron Man 2, in fact she might be one of the stand-outs. But THE stand out for me is ironically enough the man most people worried about - Marvel newbie, Mark Ruffalo. He gives Bruce Banner a twitchy, nervous energy while still maintaining the aura of a good man desperately trying to remain calm lest the beast within breaks free. It's subtle, but that's the mark of a truly great performance. And when he "Hulks out", well, you've seen the trailers - Hulk smashes a LOT. Tom Hiddleston makes for a worthy foe and is much better here than he was in Thor imo (I actually think that performance is a bit overrated), probably because he's allowed to be a proper bastard this time, and really relishes the chance to get nasty. His most memorable scene is definitely a great moment between he and Black Widow while he is imprisoned on the Hellicarrier.

As I mentioned before, even though there are the fingerprints of the larger Marvel movie universe to be found, this is every bit Joss Whedon's film. You can just tell this guy is a real fan of the comics these character sprang from, and he pays homage to not only the stories, but the reasons people read them. There is a wonderful moment right at the end, which shows average citizens' reactions to the team and what they stand for that really sums up what I mean better than I can convey it in writing. He has also further cemented his title as the king of the ensemble cast, ensuring that every member of the team not only has an interesting and well thought out arc, but that they all get some kind of interplay with each other. And that is when the movie shines brightest thanks to some fantastic Whedon dialog. Admittedly, one or two exchanges or one-liners miss the mark, but not so much that they'd be considered an eye-roller. And that brings me to another Whedon staple: humor. This movie is frequently not only funny but hilarious. That's a good thing right? Well, yes and no. Early on it's great, and even at the end when I personally felt that it should have been reigned in a bit, it's still very funny. I just think a bit more emphasis on the drama and a few less jokes would have strengthened the finale, and added to the sense of something really being at stake. More problems arise with the arrival of the alien invaders. To put it bluntly, they suck. I get that these guys are just there to be beat up by the heroes, but if they had of been made to seem just tad more formidable it would have worked a lot better I think.

But these really are small gripes in a movie where so much is done so well. Has it lived up to expectations? Well considering most fans were expecting a frackin religious experience I'm not really sure anything ever could, but it genuinely comes pretty close. If you are not a comic fan, or if you haven't seen the previous Marvel movies you may not enjoy it quite as much as if you were or had, and may think the rating below is a bit generous. But anything less just wouldn't feel like worthy praise for such a damn enjoyable piece of cinema. The best CBM of all time? Actually, from one perspective, yes! See it, then see it again.











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antonio
antonio - 4/26/2012, 6:14 PM
Great review, Ror! Can't wait to watch this spectacle again next Friday at midight!!
PeterDarker121
PeterDarker121 - 4/26/2012, 6:19 PM
Third..or maybe not...but let me READ this first...lol

Mrcool210
Mrcool210 - 4/26/2012, 6:20 PM
1 Week, Getting Pumped
Kyos
Kyos - 4/26/2012, 6:23 PM
Can't disagree with anything you've written - great review!

And damn, what a great movie!! :D


At first I was really pissed about Norton not returning, and I'm still not happy about the lack of continuity. But I gotta admit I ended up liking both Ruffalo's Banner and the new Ruffalo-ish Hulk better than any version before.
GreenHalJordan
GreenHalJordan - 4/26/2012, 6:24 PM
Great review man! I can't wait for next week! I was a little disappointed to hear the aliens were underwhelming. We're they "better" than the othe marvel movie villains or did they just not live up to the hype?
Fogs
Fogs - 4/26/2012, 6:24 PM
"this is every bit Joss Whedon's film. You can just tell this guy is a real fan of the comics these character sprang from, and he pays homage to not only the stories, but the reasons people read them"

This is the key point for me!!!!!!

YESSS!

BTW gonna watch it tomorrow and I just got another ticket for saturday on a site's promotion. YESSSSS!
OptimusPrimeTime
OptimusPrimeTime - 4/26/2012, 6:25 PM
@@Ror, great review, my friend. You and Josh's reviews really are the 2 I count on, on CBM! It's really a pity us "damn Yanks" (as y'all so affectionately refer to us) have to wait a whole week before it hit's theaters.

That's ok though....I'm ready.....

Photobucket
shadow314
shadow314 - 4/26/2012, 6:30 PM
How is the replay value with this movie you think? Do you think the jokes will make it crappier each time you watch it or not?
Haduken
Haduken - 4/26/2012, 6:32 PM
Yep. Totally 100% agree with this review.
To me, it is the best CBM of all. Completely pisses on Marvels previous efforts (which btw, I think are great).
What he said about the Aliens is spot on. For me tho, my biggest gripe was Cap A's costume. It really does look ridiculous. I'm not dissing Chris Evans, his performance in this was brillant. I just wish the costume was more 'ultimate' looking.
Everyone, enjoy it and see it again. I just hope when we eventually get to Avengers 3 - it's Civil War
EditNinja
EditNinja - 4/26/2012, 6:36 PM
Nice review.
Avengers is in my Top 3 favourite CBMs, with Watchmen and The Dark Knight.
superotherside
superotherside - 4/26/2012, 6:36 PM
Awesome review Ror! Glad you enjoyed it. Can't wait to see it.
marvel72
marvel72 - 4/26/2012, 6:37 PM
seeing it saturday 28.4.12 at 12.50 pm tickets already booked.
Luigi
Luigi - 4/26/2012, 6:38 PM
Because my expectations aren't ridiculously high enough haha. I'm guessing this is out already in the UK? If so.. damn you.
PaulRom
PaulRom - 4/26/2012, 6:38 PM
Great review. Can't believe it's almost here (in the US).
thalidomide
thalidomide - 4/26/2012, 6:41 PM
Great review Ror! I love the little complaints you put in your review. :)
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/26/2012, 6:43 PM
They cause a bit of damage out of sheer numbers, but don't seem to cause the team any real problems. I mean when a normal, if expertly trained human (Widow) can take down two single handed, you start to think maybe they sent the wrong army!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/26/2012, 6:44 PM
And thanks guys, trust me, I'm really not overselling it!
BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 4/26/2012, 6:48 PM
What is this Avengers you speak of? Is it one of those superhero things? :)

8 more days! Bummer that the aliens suck, but whatever. Can't expect it to be universally awesome.
OnLeatherWings
OnLeatherWings - 4/26/2012, 6:50 PM
One more week!!!!!!AAAHHH!!!!!
tracydavis001
tracydavis001 - 4/26/2012, 6:51 PM
Can't wait!!!!
BlackZero
BlackZero - 4/26/2012, 6:51 PM
To say I was satisfied with the film is an understatement! Ruffalo's Hulk was the Hulk I have been waiting for years! I've seen it in 2D, will see it in normal 3D and then IMAX 3D (yes there's a difference from where I'm from.) just to have a reason to see it over and over again.
Rodimus9
Rodimus9 - 4/26/2012, 6:54 PM
Can't Wait!!!


GIFSoup
hulkbuster84
hulkbuster84 - 4/26/2012, 6:55 PM
Got my tickets yesterday! One more week!
thalidomide
thalidomide - 4/26/2012, 7:01 PM
can I post boobs?

Anyway I'm going to see this in exactly 7 hours. I can't wait.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 4/26/2012, 7:05 PM
first review i've read Ror, great job! thanks for making it spoiler free!
centurybrkdwn
centurybrkdwn - 4/26/2012, 7:11 PM
This film is so good. I'm from the UK, it came out today and I've seen it twice already and I'm going again tomorrow. Any doubts you have in your mind, throw them out right now. I came out from the first showing just completely blown away. So much so that I gather another posse to go and see it again today. I've just got back and holy balls, it's just as good the second time round. Some of the 3D is a bit weird in some places but can be forgiven as it wasn't filmed in 3D and was converted to 3D. This film is flawless and has been well worth the wait. Well played Marvel, well played. I just have a feeling that when The Dark Knight Rises comes along I will be saying "It's not quite the Avengers though, is it?"

If you don't have tickets, go and buy them now, infact go book some tickets and then book some more tickets, because you will want to see it again and again and again. What a [frick]ing cool film.
centurybrkdwn
centurybrkdwn - 4/26/2012, 7:17 PM
[frick] yes, it's better than the Dark Knight. Bale's gay Bat voice destroyed any hope I had for Batman. I think what you're really asking is "Does it beat Heath Ledgers performance as The Joker?" That, my friend, is a tough question. Nothing can be taken away from Heath, that guys performance was legendary. Bale's gay Bat voice let's the Avengers win though I'm afraid
centurybrkdwn
centurybrkdwn - 4/26/2012, 7:19 PM
and Mark Ruffalo. Wow, just wow. You nerds are in for a treat on all angles. I'm still nergasm-ing. Can't wait to see it for a 3rd time tomorrow.
eleven59
eleven59 - 4/26/2012, 7:21 PM
@optimus that's a great theater!!! Can't beat a bar inside a movie theater!!
Hawksblueyes
Hawksblueyes - 4/26/2012, 7:22 PM
I don't remember ever seeing you give a movie such high praise Ror and even movies you liked very much, I have seen you pick apart. I have anticipated this film like no other before, being a fan since around 7 or 8 years old, over 30 years. The fact that everybody else in the entire world has praised the film put me at ease. The fact that you praise it as highly as you are (something I've never seen you do), gets me absolutely giddy and flat pissed off about the full week I still have to wait to see.

Good stuff!!!
GeekyCheekyChic
GeekyCheekyChic - 4/26/2012, 7:22 PM
Quick question my UK brethren---
Had anything been added to the film after the credits(not the mid credits bombshell)? It was rumored they filmed another scene to be added that wasn't included in screenings here in the USA
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 4/26/2012, 7:22 PM
It's better than TDK in many ways, but in many ways TDK is the superior movie. Very different, and very different genres really even though they are both CBMs. I'd say I enjoyed thsi as much as TDK but for diff reasons.
CPBuff22
CPBuff22 - 4/26/2012, 7:25 PM
It was the best comic book movie I ever seen. I'm looking forward to seeing it again next weekend on the IMAX & in Dbox.
centurybrkdwn
centurybrkdwn - 4/26/2012, 7:27 PM
Ooo! I'm not sure, I saw the mid-credit sequence but I totally forgot about the last minute filming. I will get back to you guys tomorrow where I will sit throughout the whole credits, Just for you guys... and my own nerdy-ness.

No waaay, it's waaaaay better than Dark Knight! It's as good as Heath Ledger's performance. Put it that way. I think that's fair.

Avengers = Flawless apart from some weird 3D scenes (which again, is understandable as it wasn't filmed in 3D)

The Dark Knight = Bale's Gay Bat Voice <---- HUGE flaw
OptimusPrimeTime
OptimusPrimeTime - 4/26/2012, 7:29 PM
@@eleven59- It really is a great place, but it's not my first choice in theater, it's just the closest IMAX to my house...about 25 mins away.

Google "Movie Tavern" and you'll see a true leap forward in cinema. Full service bar AND restaurant that has full servers inside the theater to bring you food and drinks.

The best part....look up the Tavern Tanker!
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