Marvel Studios made a colossal gamble over the last five years. They launched several diverse and unique comic superheroes into movie franchises, each directed by different men, from newcomer Jon Favreau to Shakespearian director Kenneth Branagh, yet all hinting at something bigger to come. Avengers Assemble is the final product; four of Marvel’s recent endeavours combined into a supersized action fest.
It is certainly the climate for such a task. We have seen excellent continuity from the Harry Potter franchise and how successful it has been because of it. Avengers Assemble brings Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America and Thor together in a true test of comic book adaptation to film, and amazingly it more than works out.
Thor and Captain America couldn't believe what Michael Bay had done to the city.
Watching their individual films – and ignoring the often blatant references to the Avengers – you would be sceptical of the characters working well in a two hour narrative, but enter writer/director Joss Whedon, famed for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly (the man has also written several Marvel comic books including X-Men.) An ensemble cast of diverse characters is this man’s bread and butter.
It shows too. Whedon’s writing style is in abundance here; the dialogue is snappy and memorable, with characters jeering and joking at each others’ faults and strangeness. Iron Man’s ever-sarcastic Tony Stark especially enjoys ripping into the stoic Thor. Having set up each character’s back story already in previous films, frees Avengers Assemble to have fun with them; their personal demons are present but underplayed in preference for team building and settling of differences.
Oh, and colossal fight scenes.
Loki, up to mischief and chaos as the Avengers' antagonist.
The film’s premise follows elements from the Thor and Captain America films; Thor’s brother Loki steals an artefact from S.H.I.E.L.D (a secret department of defence responsible for the Avengers Initiative) in a bid to dominate the planet. Facing a global threat, S.H.I.E.L.D’s director Nick Fury brings together the unlikely team.
Each hero has the opportunity to fight another, and surprisingly the story allows this to happen without it feeling awkward or contrived. The fights are suitably epic, memorable and very characterful (Iron Man flying into the fray while broadcasting AC/DC was a highlight!).
Marvel Studio’s has always cherished its “human superheroes”, heroes who are not without weaknesses and failings, and while the film puts a lot of the characters’ personal struggles aside, the battles they fight are more than they can handle at times. The heroes are outmatched, and their new struggle is to work together and protect those around them.
My only shortcoming about the film would be its plot hinging indefinitely from Thor and Captain America’s movies, the two weaker Marvel movie franchises. If you haven’t seen Thor, you will have no idea who Loki is. But, the film is still very entertaining and the actors know exactly what they are doing, and chances are you have seen those films if you are interested in the Avengers…
Hulk didn't appreciate the lack of catering on military flights.
Avengers Assemble is a phenomenal success, easily pushing aside early doubts about its integrity, mostly with a storming sense of humour set to make audiences laugh out loud, explosive fight scenes and an excellent sense of continuity.
Bottom Line
What happens when Thor, Captain America and Tony Stark are in a room together? Nothing but a hilarious, action-packed ride. Recommended for all.
Really want to go see this – unfortunately, most of my movie-going mates have been infinitely quicker off the mark than I, and I’ve got no-one to go with now! I’ll have to go on my tod, as my reclusive, socially awkward superhero alter-ego, Billy No-Mates. *violin music*
May 6, 2012 at 13:43
LOL well I have a similar problem further compounded by the lack of a decent cinema for miles around. Still I am comforted to know the movie was the train wreck that many feared for, and its always nice to hear Joss Whedon get to finish something he starts.
May 6, 2012 at 14:26 OneMetal Team Member
It’s looking to be a fantastic summer for blockbuster movies. Unfortunately I have to budget carefully for cinema trips, and Prometheus and The Dark Knight Rises are getting my hard-earned wonga so this will have to wait for a Blu-Ray purchase at Christmas.
Greta review, though, and it’ll keep me interested those few extra months until I can see it.
May 6, 2012 at 15:28
And that should say Great review. Curse my sausage-like digits.
May 6, 2012 at 15:29
Thanks Chris, and yeah Prometheus and TDKR are getting my full attention, in fact Avengers was the lesser of the three! It’s going to be a good year for films.
Joss Whedon has definitely made his mark with this film, Will, much to my relief.
May 7, 2012 at 10:43 OneMetal Team Member