Film Review - THE AVENGERS ★★★★☆

It's safe to say there was a time when the thought of seeing a believable and satisfying Iron Man film was a pipe dream to many fans. Thanks to technology, Marvel Studios, director Jon Favreau, and a top notch Robert Downey Jr., the stars aligned and it all came together on the big screen in 2008. But wisely Marvel also planted a seed for the future with a secret post-credits cameo by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, and the dare-to dream-countdown suddenly stepped closer to reality regarding the team-up movie of a lifetime, The Avengers.

Cue the Marvel films that followed to set the stage for the all-star super hero line-up, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. While some installments were stronger than others, the idea of balancing all these comic book icons in one big screen adventure was beyond ambitious, even with most of them already having their assorted back stories established in their own solo movies. 

Enter Joss Whedon, the geek god mastermind behind Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse. If there was anyone with the chops to handle an ensemble cast, deliver a script with bang up dialogue, and enjoy the highest level of geek cred with the fans, it was Whedon.

Frankly to have even written at the top of this post "Film Review: The Avengers," seems almost a bit surreal, but I am happy to say that finally experiencing one of the most anticipated movies of the year has been well worth the wait. I am lucky enough to admit to have already seen it twice, one time in a solid IMAX 3D converted print. The expected spectacle is all there, the big budget special effects laced action pops off the screen, and the near two and a half hour film boasts an amazing balance that allows each headliner in their own right ample screen time to shine.

At its core, this is still an origin story. Not for any individual character, but for the team itself. A substantial portion of the movie is spent getting these clashing egos in sync to unite against a common foe (in this case, it's Thor's Asgardian nemesis brother, Loki). Whedon knows there is little fun to be had if all these iconic heroes were to simply play nice right off the bat.

To not have Earth's Mightiest Heroes each draw a line in the sand and engage in proverbial pissing matches of power to test easy other out would waste the opportunity that can only be fully realized in this film. How does the gamma ray rage of the Hulk square off against the demigod powers of Thor? What can Iron Man's armor do to Captain America's shield? Can Cap's indestructible shield deflect Thor's hammer Mjolnir?

These geektastic moments have been the stuff of debates between fans for ages and Whedon knows enough to showcase them right up there loud and proud. If there exists a checklist of required beats, fanboy moments, catchphrases, and one-on-one tests of strength that must be put on display in this epic, it did not fall on deaf ears.

As expected, Robert Downey Jr. gets the wealth of the best lines as billionaire Tony Stark. Chris Evans keeps his Captain America on the straight and narrow as a man out of his era trying assimilate into the modern world. To say we finally get the version of the Hulk we always wanted is an understatement. Mark Ruffalo (no less than the third actor to play Bruce Banner on the big screen, following Eric Bana and Edward Norton), gives us a humbled scientist who not only struggles to keep "the other" guy safely in check, but manages to find that there is still quick wit to be had on his human side. Chris Hemsworth delivers again as the Norse God of Thunder Thor, bringing the mystical, magical, and some arrogant elements to the team. Two super powerless heroes are also along for the ride, one in the returning Scarlett Johansson as Iron Man 2's Russian assassin Black Widow, and Jeremy Renner takes on the bow and arrow sharpshooter Hawkeye. Samuel L. Jackson of course brings his A-game Samuel L. Jackson to S.H.I.E.L.D director Nick Fury, the reliable Clark Gregg finds some time to shine as Agent Coulson, and Cobie Smulders makes her big Marvel screen debut as Agent Maria Hill.  And if you're keeping count, those are just the good guys...

As to the who and the what The Avengers are up against, the film keeps it painfully simple. Tom Hiddleston, returns as Loki, who is out to capture the Tesseract, the Cosmic Cube of endless power (as first seen Captain America: The First Avenger). While Loki has an evil alien race waiting in the wings to help conquer the Earth, he serves as the predominant foe for the main course of the movie.

Which to nitpick, while Hiddleston twists his villain mustache with charasmatic evil ease, Loki again taking the stage as the baddie has a bit of the 'been there, done that feel' to it. The demigod headlined as the antagonist in Thor, which came out only last summer.

Months of heated online speculation as to whether the aliens would be revealed as the Marvel universe's shape shifting Skulls or not proved to be a moot point. Their one-dimensional use in the film would have shortchanged Skrull fans had the rumor been on the money. But at risk of over booking the film with bad guys (i.e. the Batman & Robin syndrome), when there are already enough heroes to keep your head spinning, Whedon treats the Chitauri invasion force as a faceless minions merely there for The Avengers to wallop and belittle into an explosive oblivion.

For as much as the Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor push the special effects budget to the limits, I felt the mere mortals Black Widow and Hawkeye come across a bit outgunned in comparison. While they are allowed to showcase brains and human brawn to their utmost extent, fending off the alien invasion stretches it a bit next to the heroic gods and monsters who are leaping and smashing everything and anything evil in sight.

Whedon knows his dialogue, and everyone has sharp lines and funny moments. The film has its serious side, but keeping with the Marvel Studios movie mold, it's a no-holds-barred popcorn entertainment machine made for the masses, and never takes itself too seriously for too long. Which is also to say comparing this to The Dark Knight, or inevitably this summer's The Dark Knight Rises, would be an unfair side-by-side look at polar opposite approaches to successfully translating this genre to the big screen.

The special effects are rivaled only by the furious non-stop action in the final showdown outside New York City's Grand Central Station, where Stark Tower has taken over the spot where the Met Life Building resides. When The Avengers have their moment that forces them to put their differences aside and move forward as a team, there is little else to compare it to in scope, frantic eye candy, and unadulterated sheer geek joy.

There are numerous gems laced throughout the entire film, but it's up to you to hold on tight for the ride when it hits on all cylinders.

This will be far from the last we will see of these characters. The Avengers is by no means the big finale. Iron Man 3 stands firmly in the on-deck circle and starts shooting in a few weeks, and sequels to Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger already have release dates set. Once that next wave subsides, it will time to suit up the gang again for Avengers 2, which I believe few will argue against. If it reads here that I drank the Marvel kool-aid for this film, I freely admit to it, this knockout 3D epic deserves the praise. Marvel's The Avengers will easily stand out as one of the most entertaining films of the year for civilians and fans alike.

Marvel's The Avengers hits theaters in 2D, 3D, RealD 3D, and IMAX 3D this Friday, May 4th.

REVIEW RATING: ★★★★☆
Directed By: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston,
Studio: Disney
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 143 minutes

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