Screen Rant’s Kofi Outlaw Reviews The Avengers
Marvel’s The Avengers is not just a film – it’s a cinematic event. The culmination of half a decade of movie-making, five different films introducing us to characters, stories and worlds of Marvel’s shared movie universe – not to mention, the life-long hopes of fanboys and fangirls all over the world, who have been dreaming to see their favorite superheroes onscreen together long before Marvel Studios began making it a reality.
Now that the Avengers is here, the question is: Does writer/director Joss Whedon (Serenity) deliver a film that lives up to fans’ massive expectations and functions as a great summer blockbuster for causal moviegoers?
Short answer: while not perfect, Avengers delivers the goods on all fronts, and then some.
We are thrust right into the story at the point where the respective lead-in films – Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America - left off, by learning just what has befallen Thor’s brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) after his plunge into the abyss at the end of Thor. We find Loki holed up in a strange netherworld (or “realm”), hosted by a dark and mysterious “ally” who promises him re-entry to Earth and an alien army in exchange for securing the “Tesseract” (the cosmic cube seen in Captain America) from the humans who have claimed it (i.e., the covert peacekeeping organization, S.H.I.E.L.D.). Armed with a new weapon that can fire energy and brainwash unwilling subjects, Loki heads for Earth.
The only thing standing in the trickster god’s way? S.H.I.E.L.D. leader Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the various superheroes included in his “Avengers Initiative.” Fury manages to gather Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and super spies Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Through otherworldly machinations, even Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is able to return to Earth, charged with capturing his sibling and the Tesseract for return to Asgard.
But Loki isn’t called “the god of mischief” for nothing. Before Fury’s new super team can find its balance, Loki is in their heads sewing seeds of doubt, distrust, anger and conflict. Can earth’s mightiest heroes put their differences aside in time to protect the planet – or is their coming together an even bigger threat than Loki himself?
The Avengers is very much a Joss Whedon product – and is much better off for being so. If you’re not familiar with the geek-centric writer/filmmaker, he was the mind behind the ’90s Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series, the short-lived (but much-loved) sci-fi show Firefly, its movie spinoff, Serenity, famous Internet musicals (Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog) and even some acclaimed comic book series (Astonishing X-Men).
Whedon was chosen to head this project primarily for his love of comic book culture and its characters. Speaking as a comic book fan, it’s clear from watching Avengers that Whedon is in tune with every single one of the superheroes (and villains) in Marvel’s stables, and knows how to arrange those personalities into a well-balanced ensemble – like a perfectly assembled puzzle (no pun). He also accomplishes the impressive feat of tying all of the plot-threads of the solo films together into a (semi-)coherent story, while briefly acknowledging various dangling threads (whereabouts of certain supporting characters, etc.) without allowing them to strangle this team-based story.
Through those various solo films we’ve gotten to know smarmy Tony Stark, old-fashioned idealist Captain America, arrogant Thor, sultry Black Widow and the uncontrollable Hulk. Avengers takes things a step further by showing us how these characters are growing and evolving – and better yet, growing and evolving because of their interactions with one another.
For all of the impressive action (more on that later), the best moments in Avengers are arguably the slower, character-driven scenes. Whedon’s penchant for snappy dialogue is on full display, and it’s a great experience to see, (for example) Tony Stark and Dr. Banner talking in high-science dialect no one else in the room understands – or debating the value of the traumas that made them both into tragic heroes. Small touches, but moments that feel true, interesting, and rewarding in a way that few people (fan or non-fan) will likely expect.
Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Captain America (Chris Evans) in 'The Avengers'
Equally unexpected (but just as rewarding) is the humor in the film. We get the usual smattering of one-liners and overly-dramatic monologues and dialogue that can only come from a comic book – but there is also sharp wit and total self-awareness woven into Whedon’s script. Avengers strikes a tonal balance similar to that of Iron Man - i.e., light and fun for the most part, understatedly serious in the heavy moments (and Avengers does have some heavy moments, rest assured).
The best humor comes out of well-timed tongue-in-cheek winks - i.e., how strong certain characters are, how these characters behave, the context in which we find them (ex: Cap and Thor being fish-out-of-water types in the modern world), acknowledgement of how the ‘real world’ is juxtaposed to the concept of superheroes – and other great insights that work as sly winks to comic book fans and generally fun moments for casual viewers to enjoy in between action sequences.
Speaking of action: Avengers has some pretty impressive sequences – especially the climatic final battle against Loki’s invading army, which is definitely the best “boss battle” that has been featured in any Marvel movie since Incredible Hulk. Those worried about Marvel’s track record for underwhelming climaxes need not: by the time the battle is won, you will have been exhausted by the combination of iconic comic book imagery (The Avengers Assembled or working together in battle) and impressive big-screen eye-candy. The film has about four big set pieces (it’s still somewhat rigid and obvious in its structuring), but all of them deliver the goods and keep the movie exciting from start to finish.
As far as characters go, Avengers is the best rendering of Marvel superheroes on the big screen since RDJ let his charisma carry Iron Man to success. What’s surprising about the film is who ends up standing out the most: Black Widow and Hulk are the characters best served by Avengers, and audiences will almost certainly walk away with greater appreciation for both. (Johansson even gets a few chances to mock her detractors.) Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark schtick is as entertaining as ever (if not overly familiar by now) and he handles the difficult task of keeping things fun whenever they threaten to get too serious or comic book silly; without that cog in the machine (no pun), Avengers wouldn’t function nearly as well. Captain America and Thor are given moments to shine, but their presence is much more reserved and understated in this film – though we do finally get to see the power that makes Thor worthy of being called a god.
Supporting players like Nick Fury and his assistants Agent Coulson (Gregg) and Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) are just that: support. Jackson and Gregg are well-experienced with making the most out of a little in these Marvel films, but Smulders is mostly just window dressing. Hawkeye (Renner) is the one member of the actual Avengers team who is somewhat underserved – though that is something of a necessary evil, given how he factors into the story. As a villain, Tom Hiddleston makes Loki even more compelling than he was in Thor, this time infusing him with psychotic rage hidden behind a veneer of charm, smooth words and dimpled smiles (think Hannibal Lector with super villain aspirations). Of course, as a physical threat Loki isn’t that intimidating – hence the endless leagues of indistinguishable aliens who are thrown into the third act for The Avengers to beat on.
The special effects in the movie are pretty great – especially the much-improved Hulk, who (through motion capture technology) finally looks like the actor playing him and the classic version of the character first created by artist Jack Kirby. The aliens, S.H.I.E.L.D’s flying “Helicarrier” base, Iron Man, Thor’s hammer and the rest all look great. Visually, the movie is the most impressive work that Marvel has done, but as for the 3D format: it’s totally unnecessary. It’s not a bad conversion and doesn’t detract from the viewing experience – but it rarely adds anything, either. If you’re debating which way to see the film: go 2D. [UPDATE: Ok, so 3D IMAX is a pretty awesome way to see it, as well.]
Now for the downsides (because there are a few): the story is very flimsy and predictable in terms of its overarching plot, and the big “reveals” in the film are likely to confuse those who haven’t read a ton of comic books (NOTE: there are two extra scenes during and after the credits – make sure to stay for both). For all the satisfying action, Avengers demonstrates that Whedon still has something to learn about space and angles when it comes to movie direction. A lot of the sequences still have a very “TV” feel to them – and on the whole, Avengers plays like several episodes of a very well-built TV series, rather than a feature film that has truly “cinematic” moments in it. There are a few, but only a few.
However, the few drawbacks and criticisms aren’t enough to stop The Avengers from delivering a fun and satisfying time at the movies. Whedon leaves the characters in some great places for their upcoming second (or third) round of solo adventures – with the door to the larger Marvel movie universe left wide open for some interesting (and risky) developments down the road. I’m sure fans will be debating those points all along the way.
In the end, was Marvel’s ambitious dream for a shared cinematic universe truly worth it? In my opinion: Most definitely.
The Avengers is now playing in theaters everywhere. It is Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference.
Loading ...For an in-depth discussion of the film by the Screen Rant team check out our Avengers episode of the SR Underground podcast.
The Avengers is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference
If you want to discuss the film in detail, please head over to our Avengers Spoilers Discussion to avoid ruining the movie for those who haven’t seen it.
Our Rating:
4.5 out of 5
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PLEASE NO SPOILERS IN THIS COMMENT SECTION!!!!
If you want to discuss spoilers from the film, go HERE:
http://screenrant.com/avengers-movie-spoilers-vic-166267/
Are there motorcycles? Please tell me there are motorcycles! And does the Hulk really get kicked in the nuts?
watch the movie and u will find out yourself
The kicker would break his foot…why do you think they are called “stones”?
great review Kofi Outlaw
heres a question the 2nd end credit will it be released in the UK also this weekend or is it just for the US
mace,
I’ve heard that only the U.S. gets the scene at the very end of the credits.
Vic
ok, that does not matter im still going to watch it again this weekend.
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE
Nope, I watched it in Hungary and saw the clip
Weird… Vic, do you know why that’s the case? Not that it’s a problem for me, since I’m in the U.S. Just curious.
Well, the overseas theaters already have prints so they can’t add in the extra few seconds if the theaters already have the film, unfortunately.
Good point. Although they could send new prints, but that wouldn’t be terribly cost effective and frankly wouldn’t matter to anyone but hardcore fans anyway. But again, I’m in the U.S., so no problem for me
Confirm that: only one postcredit scene for us. Sucks a little, but hey, we got it a week early, so I’m not complaining.
Great review, but I gotta disagree on the 3D. As it wasn’t shot 3D it’s obviously not going to be as good as it could have been, I still think it’s worth the extra ticket price. There are only a few scenes, mostly Stark in flight and a few of the fight sequences, but they made me glad I went for the 3D session.
It’s worth $18 ticket for a scene or 2? A lot of people are just tired of paying $5-6 more a ticket for a scene or 2 in post production. Just another $$ grab by studio and you know it
I’m sorry Freddy, next time I’ll refer to you before I give my opinion in case it’s wrong again.
I disagree about watching it in 2D. I’ve seen it in both formats, but to really enjoy the Avengers and take in all the big action set-pieces go for IMAX 3D. Totally worth it
Great review kofi
NOT READING NOT READING NOT READING!!!
4 1/2 stars! WOOT!!
Thanks Kofi!
Kofi, what comic books do you recommend people read before seeing this? Im going to see it on Friday night. Thought about picking some reading up before I see it. Any suggestions??
Here’s a good list of reading material:
http://screenrant.com/avengers-comic-book-stories-movie-benm-166878/
Saw this at the advanced screening in NY, totally agree…..this movie damn near flawless
Excellent review Kofi – well done sir.
I do have to disagree about a few things though
The 3D: while it isn’t necessarily, I do think it added to the experience (ESPECIALLY during the climatic final battle) – I would recommend it.
And as for the story being flimsy and predictable (with all due respect), I have to disagree again. I mean, we all KNOW the Avengers win (so yes, in that sense, it is predictable), but all the smaller moments (fights, character moments, etc. – they were very much unpredictable and surprising for me and the other people watching the movie), then again, I only watched two trailers, so for those who saw more footage, I’m sure your point will hold ground.
And lastly, the movie not being “cinematic enough”. For the most part, I found it VERY cinematic. There were a few moments in the Helicarier that seemed a little TV-ish, but there weren’t really that many scenes like that – it certainly didn’t feel like I was watching a tv show…
Those two or three quips aside, I think you captured the movie very well.
)
I’ll definitely be recommending your review to people still on the fence about catching it in theaters (if there even are people like that left
I’m probably gonna get flamed for this but I thought the film was pretty average and no way deserving of all the hype and attention it’s receiving. The weak story and villains just didn’t make me feel the superheroes needed to join forces. I admit I enjoyed the on-screen interaction and relationship between the characters but that’s about it. I thought the one-liners were overused and I just didn’t believe that Mark Ruffalo was Bruce Banner. Also, the third act looked as if it was a deleted scene from the Transformers something.
In my opinion, people are just over-excited that this is the first “real” superhero team-up movie to ever be made. But then again, maybe I’m just getting too old…
i agree that the movie was average the plot was just to weak for me.
Finally! I thought I was the only one that smelled transformers 3 all over this movie!
Wow i was like legit considering getting mental help after i saw it because i wasnt as in love with it as i should have been. I’m glad i’m not alone. I think i’m just gonna see it 7 more times until i finally love it.
you are perfectly entitled to your opinion. If we all had the exact same tastes, we’d be boring.
I’m 48 and LOVED it, and I’m not a comic book reader. Never was. I loved the interaction, and the action, and think Ruffalo and the Hulk made for the best Hulk movie so far.
What I like about the Avengers, unlike other teams (DC) is that these characters are all connected in some way, whether through the super soldier program (Cap and Banner essentially both direct products of it), or the Tesseract. It made their relationships so much more interesting.
Very cool movie. The end scene was perfect.
No Sorry Screen Rant – 4.5 out of 5 is rotten – Give it the full 5 & don’t be petty ! Avengers is fantastic !
Well, the movie did have a few minor flaws. I think 4.5 out of 5 is a very good rating for this movie.
Troll.
So kofi where do you rank this on your list of favorite superhero movies? Not asking for specific names cause someone will bash you if you say anything
Bring on the Hulk sequel!!!
4.5? A little high IMO I still had to give it the “Its a comicbookmovie” handicap.
I enjoyed the film. Loads of fun. I was disappointed, however, that it was so tounge-in-cheek, especially in the final act. It took away from the seriousness of the battle IMO
I was litle upset with the straightforward plot. I was hoping for something more intricate instead of what felt like an Marvel Animation movie. Loki was more a scorned child then the God of Mischief (or Evil) and it felt like a single Avenger could of handle him for the most part.
pppl don’t hate me for brining batman into the discussion bur really if you want to watch a super hero movie with more plot wait for dark knight rises
again i’m not trying to under mine avengers because it seems to be worth the hype but it’s abviouse that the movies wasnt trying to have an inception type plot
If I remember correctly, you gave the movie 9 out of 10 in a recent OD…
Or was that someone else?
@Avenger
Hahaha I actually wanted to give the movie 8:10 but typing fast on my iphone i accidentally gave it 9/10. And Kahless responded so fast and with so much excitement, i just let it be.
@Andy
I didnt expect an “inception style plot” but I would of liked Wheadon to have brought something new to the table. But my bigger issue is the lack of seriousness in the final battle act. It was still quip after quip, and you get the feeling, there is no real danger. It was more a personal revenge mission against all scorned by Loki than save the world, which I felt a single Avenger could have accomplished. The nuke was a bigger threat then the invading army IMO
Loki being the “scorned child” was very conducive to the continuation of the rivalry between he and Thor from the first movie as well as the comic books…i think it was ingenious b/c bringing Thor in made Loki more than just “pure evil”…it sort of made him seem humane and captured him in his purest form..in the scene where Thor confronts him in the forest i could just picture Loki in the form of a scared and jealous little boy living in his brother’s shadow, hoping someone will notice him at some point. In that aspect, Loki is relatable..the dynamic between them put a dramatic spin on the movie and almost made for another storyline.
Really enjoyed it. It will not answer the questions to the meaning of life, it will not engender a serious debate about man, it is not the missing link towards our next step in spiritual evolution, it is not blah blah blah…
What it is is a director finally remembering what the phrase ‘popcorn entertainment’ is supposed to mean. Keeps your eyes glued to the screen, makes you laugh, pumps you up with the action scenes and balances the screen time finely between dialogue, exposition and momentum. Honestly can’t remember the last time a movie knew what it was supposed to deliver and delivered it.
In short, a 21st century matinee movie, and this is coming from someone more interested in that bat fella’.
lol I enjoyed that one.
This was like seeing transformers all over again. While I enjoyed transformers, I think this movie was and is still being over rated..My opinion though
PFFFT!
how many times do you feel the need to say the same thing in 1 thread?
Really good review ,summing up the good and bad points really well.
I too agree that the reason Avengers worked was because of the smaller, quieter scenes between characters. This is what elevated it above the likes of Transformers 3 , where you can hear what the characters and get invested in their story.
I think the film benefitted from its straightforward plot. That’s what allowed more time for the character driven moments. The joy of this movie is seeing where these heroes come from and all the friction from making them work as a team. A too complex or more convoluted plot would’ve taken away the fun of this – and also required a running time closer to three hours. Having now established the team dynamic – Avengers 2 can now go for a bolder story next time round.
For me, the action sequences couldn’t been anymore epic in a visual sense. No way was there a ‘TV’ feel to this at all and the 3D was better than the review suggests. The Manhattan battle was every bit as cinematic as you could get. You certainly will not see anything else this summer, provide the same level of spectacle and awe provided in the last 40 minutes. It was only the opening 10 minutes , that felt a bit choppy, and the actual impact of the terrasact, and Loki’s initial emergence could’ve been handled a lot better.
As impressive as Hulk was in motion – he came across as more cartoony – which may have been intentional. The motion capture was a novel approach, nut i still preferred 2008′s rendition. There the Hulk looked more meaner, and menacing.
Overall, in the pantheon of great superhero movies I’d rank Avengers up there with the best of them. (Superman I & II, Batman Begins, Blade, Batman Returns) It proves that a comic book film as well as being serious, can still be fun and exciting without being dark and gritty. And for a change, we have heroes who look like they enjoy saving the world, and not wallowing in self doubt and introspection.
I agree with 4.5 stars and feel that Avengers will be the best summer blockbuster of 2012. A $billion dollar worldwide box office is practically a guarantee.
Fantastic review Kofi. You hit it right on the head that film benefits HUGELY from Joss Whedon. Take away the great character and team moments, the sharp dialogue and the humour, and there’s really not much left going for it. He obviously couldn’t give every single character a lot of time (as you mentioned) but what he did with what he had was spectacular.
New respect for Hulk, and this is not a Hulk fan speaking. Ruffalo is great.
I’m kinda on the fence about the action though. While it’s pumping to see all of them on the same screen, fighting at the same time, somehow the action otherwise isn’t particularly memorable. Only a few specific scenes (like the Iron Man/Loki one) stood out more to me.
I’d still give it 4 starts at least though. Here’s to Avengers 2!
Will be seeing the avengers in T-minus 4 and a half hours
Alright…We have the Official SC Review in. Obviously not everyone thinks it’s gold and what not Sooooooo to appease the masses and bring us…”Together”(Hehehe
)
*Points to the Distance*
Release the Counter Point!
I thought the film was entertaining and very well done. I was just disappointed about what happened to one character, although I hope what appeared to happen did not really happen…
I was unable to watch the extra scenes after credits
The theatre just closed the movie as soon as it ends..
It seems like you only gave this a really good review just because it’s “The Avengers.” this seems more like a 4 star review
Neal,
You mean “really good score” not “really good review”, right? Scoring is annoying anyway, I’ve debated dumping it in the past but people LOVE to see a score. What matters is the review itself.
Vic
Thank you. There were some shots that made me want to throw up in this movie
lebsta, I was going to say the exact same thing as you about the plot & the “TV feel” but it looks like you beat me to it!
I would like to add, that while this is a very fair & balanced review (one of the better ones I have read), this is the first I’ve come across that has mentioned the “uncinematic” thing. I agree that some of the angles in the 1st act were strange, but I wouldn’t call them TV-ish.
Whedon’s inexperience in film should not have affected the look or feel that much, anyway. He worked with Seamus McGarvey and many other experienced crew. It’s not like he went in and said “screw you guys and your cinematography, I feel more comfortable with TV so I’m going to it that way!”
I would love to be a fly on the wall at Warner Bros. come Monday morning when the boss comes in with the box office receipts and asks his people how come “we don’t have cameras running on a Justice League movie?”
I think the big problem with a Justice League movie at the moment is that they’d have to build up to it as Marvel did with Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and Hulk (less so on Big Green).
Nolan’s Batman doesn’t have the big universe feel that could support it, Man of Steel might. Green Lantern, maybe. DC just don’t seem to have a coherent vision that ties their films together.
Marvel has about three years head start on DC.
@ Kofi
Very good review. Can’t wait for to see it.
i find it unfair that american’s get an extra after credit scene when everyone paid to watch the damn movie. what’s worse is that they probably wont be adding that bit of footage in international cinemas b/c most cinemas already have a film and it would just cost more to have a new copy sent >:(
i hope the scene gets leaked online soon, even if it is grainy nad has obnoxious idiots screaming in the background, i still want to see it.
jwalka, I totally understand how you feel, but at the same time, us Americans consider it very unfair that basically everyone else got it a week earlier than we do.
I’m one of the biggest Avengers fans out there, and I got to see the movie a week ago, but I have to disagree with you.
It’s not so bad… I’m sure they’ll release the button on the BD/DVD (and The Avengers is definitely one to add the collection), so it’s only a few months till you get to see it.
Still, considering we got to see the movie a whole week before the Americans, I wouldn’t complain if I were you. A whole 2 and a half hours of Avengers greatness was more than satisfactory IMO.
Trust me its a scene that had nothing to do with a seaual or anything just a comedy scene
I know, I read a description – I’d still love to see it though.