The Avengers Review

THE AVENGERS (2012)

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

If you have Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk and Thor in one film, they better be saving the world. Anything less would be a film made by the wrong people. This brings me to Joss Whedon who is having a great time with the release of Cabin in the Woods (still unseen) and now, The Avengers. (He also has Much Ado About Nothing lined up later in the year). And a great time, he deserves. By making The Avengers, he has given us one of the very best superhero movies of all time. Comparable to the brilliance of Superman (1978) and either one of Nolan's Batman films.

First a major caveat for readers - I'm NOT a comic book fan. As much as I love superheroes, I should be one. But alas, I can't seriously read one and thoroughly enjoy it. Graphic novels mildly tickle my fancy. But let's just say I'm not a book-with-pictures person. Now since that's out of the way, let me also make it clear I'm more of a film fan. I particularly dig superhero stuff on film. I myself don't put me in the fanboy category but Joss Whedon has definitely pleased the fanboys with this spectacular film. It has that quality that the first two Spider-Man films had. Sam Raimi knew what he was doing and who he made the films for (wonder where all that went with the third one). These kind of films make you feel like you're reading a comic-book. Tim Burton also did that well (in a Burton-esque way of course). Superman films were vintage camp. On the flip side, Christopher Nolan's Batman films were as far removed from comic-bookdom as they should be. Just about enough. These were superhero "movies". Whedon has created a bombastic amalgamation of a "comic book" movie and a comic book "movie". The geeks and the film buff, both will have a field day together.

I love summer blockbusters. I sort of thank Jaws (1975) and Star Wars (1977) every year this time. But no, The Avengers isn't the all-action no brains, summer blockbuster. It has both action and brains. It does have a plot that a standard superhero film has (which I will not get into). Stupendous visual effects, thunderous action set-pieces et al. But what it also has are characters. It has a sense of humor. I love how the humor is self-reflexive and dry. It is also the kind that works best, the kind that actually makes you laugh, the humor that is memorable. It has catch phrases (Remember those? Why so serious?). Joss Whedon creates those magic movie moments that make you cheer. My (and I'm sure millions of others) favorite ones involve Iron Man and The Hulk. Loki and Hulk's one-sided confrontation is priceless. Surely, Hulk will be the character everyone will be talking about when the movie ends. Tom Hiddleston is significantly compelling as Loki, the villain and "adopted" brother of Thor.

Also. Finally a Marvel movie which has a good score and a memorable, hummable theme. Full marks to Alan Silvestri. The Avengers theme was playing in my head while I exited the theater. (This happens many times with me as an approval of the music). I've already seen this film twice. I'm sure I'll be watching it again. I hope every summer at the movies starts this way.

Side-note: Favorite Avenger - Captain America