Avengers Assemble - SPOILERS

[Son of Solo]

Right here you go...

Wow! I mean WOW!
I've seen The Avengers and I can't stop smiling from ear to ear. Annoyingly in the UK it's been renamed Avengers Assemble because as British people we are easily confused and might mistake it for The Avengers that had John Steed & Emma Peel in. Really?
It's not often a film leaves you on such a high you end up smiling for hours and hours but my word Joss Wheadon's film has managed it. This truly is one of the best Superhero films I've ever seen. Some of you may think I'm overreacting. If you know me personally you will know I take my superhero love seriously so this isn't just a random statement from me. I've been waiting for this film ever since Samuel L Jackson's Nick Fury turned up at the end of 2008's Iron Man (starring Robert Downey Jr.) to tell him about his 'Avengers Initiative'. Since then we have had a new Hulk film, a sequel to Iron Man, A Thor film and finally a Captain America film all leading up to this ultimate moment and I was so excited that it had finally arrived I'd been awake since about 4am waiting to see it the day I went.
Make no mistake in thinking Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) and Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye)are overshadowed by Robert Downey Jr. as this just isn't the case. All of the team have their own little story going on and they all share equal screen time and a vital role to play within the film.

The actor who I'd been most curious about since this film went into production had to be the new fellow to play Hulk. To be honest I'd not heard of Mark Ruffalo before but I'm glad to say he's really great in this as Bruce Banner. You actually believe he is a genius who has his other persona under control until the moment he actually doesn't and becomes Hulk. The Hulk himself looks amazing and is a fantastic sight to look at.
In my honest opinion it's the best depiction of the character on screen so far. I think it helped that Ruffalo himself did the motion capture work for Hulk as it made him even more realistic. It's also cool that Lou Ferrigno did the voice again like he did in The Incredible Hulk. When Thor and The Hulk stop smashing some Chitauri soldiers inside a building, and are standing side by side, The Hulk gives him a backhand, sending Thor across the room. Hilarious! I also enjoyed the smack down he gave Tom Hiddleston's Loki near the end of the film."Puny God!". It's how they got all the same actors back from the other films, and it's the new guy that walks away with the film.

This film also had an emotional kick to it. I always get choked up at Superhero films these days but Agent Coulson dying was heartbreaking for me. For a character that has only turned up in past films very briefly it was really a kick in the guts when Loki killed him. He was the last character I expected to die. I suppose that was the point really. Clark Gregg who played him created a memorable character. Strangely enough though I've read that he may be set to return in a possible Nick Fury film and even Iron Man 3. How true this is I don't know but for now I'll take it with a pinch of salt. I can't help but think this would cheapen the characters death.

Joss Wheadon's done a fantastic job as director. He's a huge fan of Marvel characters himself which as turns out makes this film even more awesome. I always find it a bit worrying when a writer, director or producer have a personal interest in the subject matter as they can be blinkered to what THEY want to see on screen and not what could be good for the story. I'm pleased to say this isn't the case. I've only ever watched his Buffy & Angel work but you can see his humour and style coming through in this. I hope he returns to direct the sequel.


And in case you were wondering that was Thanos that appeared in the mid-credit scene of the film. His appearance according to Whedon is setting up the next block of films to star The Avenger cast. Exciting.

At the moment and in my opinion this is the second best comic book movie after Richard Donner's Superman. Note though how I say at the moment. We still have The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises to hit screens over the next few months. Add that to the fact I change my mind about such things on a daily basis I wouldn't take it as gospel. It's definitely up there though as one of my favourites.

[jumpin' jellybean]

I really, really liked it. Although it's pretty long, unlike Captain America (which I feel could have easily lost 10-20 minutes), there wasn't an ounce of flab on it.

Whedon's experience with handling ensembles shows; I felt every character got a chance to shine, and I was delighted that, in contrast with her appearance in Iron Man 2, Natasha was treated as a person, not just T&A in spandex. For a character only introduced in this film, I think Hill was well-drawn enough that if Jackson ever has to pull out, she'll be perfectly set up to take over his role.

Hulk. Oh Hulk. I love you, you funny, funny boy. It really shows that they had Ruffalo doing the mo-cap, and it was wonderful to see Banner's eyes in Hulk's face. I may never get tired of seeing Hulk smacking Loki about. I laughed so hard. If the film was nothing but that, I'd still buy it on DVD.

My favourite thing though, was seeing The Avengers working as a team. Carrying out solo tasks, working in duos, stepping in when a team-mate needs help, this is all brilliant stuff. This is what you want, and what films like F4 and, I'm sorry, the X-men films failed to deliver: a sense of a team rather than a group of disparate characters with the same goal.

Yeah, it was terrific, and I dreamt about it last night. Even my subconscious approves.

[glunark]

As someone who likes 3D models (but not 3D films), the quinjet and helicarrier are amazing models, and I wouldn't mind taking a crack at making them myself if I could get some good references.

[Veela Magnet]

Originally Posted by Son of Solo

Agent Coulson dying was heartbreaking for me.

I so did not see that coming. What should've been a punch-the-air moment with Phil ("your first name is 'Agent' " :P) standing up to the Asgardian git was punctured, literally. I totally thought they would get him to a medic in time, but no... Sadface

Originally Posted by jumpin' jellybean

This is what you want, and what films like F4 and, I'm sorry, the X-men films failed to deliver: a sense of a team rather than a group of disparate characters with the same goal.

Y'know I hadn't even thought of that, but you're so right; and even Loki asserts that the team is very hotch-potch, but despite this, as a whole they feel extremely organic, and you really miss them when they aren't onscreen.

Wanna go see it again. I think we're gonna watch all five lead-up movies (my housemate hasn't seen them all), then go see it.

[Son of Solo]

Oooh, I've just remembered having a squeeeee moment when Bruce stops that snake tank thing by turning round and changing into Hulk.

[Veela Magnet]

Originally Posted by Son of Solo

Annoyingly in the UK it's been renamed Avengers Assemble because as British people we are easily confused and might mistake it for The Avengers that had John Steed & Emma Peel in. Really?

Yeah, the title card looked a bit crap didn't it?

You know you've got a hit on your hands when the only thing people are iffy about are Cap's costume and the movie's name

[trollface]

Well, I've spent pretty much the entire day attempting to watch this film. I go along for the first showing and the cinema has a card up saying that it's not opening until later in the day. I go home, and come back 10 minutes ahead of the first showing after the cinema opens. And it's chocka. Who are all these people and why aren't they at work? It'll take longer to queue for a ticket than the amount of time left before the film starts, so I go home again and come back half an hour before the next showing...to find a completely empty cinema. Where did everybody go? So, for the first time ever I was the only person in the cinema for a full 5 minutes before anyone else showed up. But it does mean that I've now spent 6 hours of my life either attempting to watch this film or actually watching it. Was it worth it? Hell yes.

Absolutely fantastic. How do you do a film about 6 different superheroes without making it seem crowded? If your name is Joss Whedon, the answer is "very well". Okay, so Hawkeye was a little sidelined and then didn't do a huge amount once he was back but, then, he's one of the two characters that the general audience wouldn't really know and, of those two, he's the one who isn't a) the only girl on the team and b) played by a massive film star. Plus, of course, his gimmick is that he uses a bow, so it's always going to be a little limited.

Can't think of a single complaint, really.

[elfish_warrior]

Watched this last night, and have to say WOW, absolutely brilliant, don't think there was one dull moment. Joss Whedon has directed a masterpiece imo.
The tone, action and humour are perfect.
Mark Ruffalo as Hulk was brilliant, why hasn't he played the part before??
perfect ensemble piece for me. Will definitely be going to watch this again, just have to convince the girlfriend to come along now lol.

[dirty]

One thing I dont get is how the credits teaser fits in with the quotes by Whedon about wanting to make A2 a smaller more focused film, unless that was a set up for A3?

[glunark]

Because if its anything like the comics, Thanos will just beam all them to him, then make them fight for his own amusement.

So no smashing new york up again.