review by Adam Cook Patron
The Avengers 2012
Watched Apr 26, 2012
Adam Cook’s review:
When Marvel announced they were going to set up their own film studio, not only making individual superhero movies but also set them in the same universe and using the solo outings as a way to build interest in a mega-collaboration with four of the biggest heroes in comic books, it seemed like an ambitious folly that was doomed to fail. When most of the solo films turned out to be merely decent the ambition seemed to be misplaced, even if the films were financial successes. However, my reservations were thankfully unfounded as not only have they managed to cleverly assemble (if you pardon the pun) the disparate heroes into a cohesive and consistently exciting story but Marvel and Whedon have created one of cinema’s greatest superhero films. Period.
It was always going to be a tall order to try and fit such strong characters with rich histories into one film with each getting their moment to shine and avoiding overshadowing the others. It is in this balancing act that the film was always going to live or die and thankfully Whedon has managed to weave these personalities together quite brilliantly, especially compared to other comic book movies that have struggled to balance far simpler movies. Using a familiar enemy (arguably the most interesting of all the previous Marvel film villains and played with real mischievous glee by Hiddleston) was a wise move too. There is little need building a motivational backstory whilst the audience, and other characters, know what a credible threat he is. Whilst his alien companions are little more than characterless Avenger fodder they serve their purpose in the story well, not least all the novel ways the Hulk dispatches them.
What is so pleasing, particularly for a mega budget summer blockbuster, is the fact the characters are put front and centre. Sure, there is an end of the world threat but the story is incredibly simple. Instead it is the characters that carry the film and not an elaborate plot and it is here where the hiring of Whedon makes sense. I don’t want to give the impression these are particularly deep characters but they each have their moments of doubt and inner-conflicts. The sparring, both verbal and physical, between these heroes is a real joy to behold. Its comic book roots evident for all to see; it’s funny and exaggerated but still respectful of where these characters originated. It is also nice to actually see the cast looking like they are having a good time and whilst there are naturally those that shine a little brighter (Stark was always going to have the pick of the best lines) they each bring something different to the film.
On a personal note it is brilliant to finally see the real Hulk on screen. In previous adaptations it has either swung too far in favour of the brooding Banner or characterless digital green gorilla we witnessed in the last incarnation. Yet here the balance between Banner and the Hulk is nigh on perfect and when the action comes he really delivers. Everybody knew Whedon could write comic book dialogue and juggle larger than life characters, what is perhaps so surprising is how adept he is at shooting action too. Whether it is a simple hero showdown in a forest or a large scale war, he managed to never lose sight of the characters whilst creating an ebb and flow rarely seen in modern action sequences (for once there is no shaky cam or fast editing trying to distort the on screen action). Pleasingly, most of the action in the film did not make its way into the trailers so there will be plenty of surprises for the audience because there is an awful lot of action in this film but it is always integral to the plot and has a genuine sense of peril.
The Avengers is ambitious, exciting, funny and packed full of memorable moments. Whedon and Marvel Studios should be commended for doing justice to such iconic and much loved characters.
I don't need a complicated plot, just something interesting and fresh. And preferably something with a bit more danger. The incredibles had a simple villain and plot but it was smart and well played out and added a really credible angle. I even really liked Loki in the Thor movie so it was a little disappointing that he was such a pussy here.
Still a cracking movie though.
Well The Incredibles was predominantly led by Mr. Incredible which is unlike The Avengers that has four proper leads. Of course I'm not saying the plot was perfect, it could have been better but there was so many memorable little moments throughout the film I genuinely didn't notice any issues with the way it all played out.
I thought Loki was great in this though, better than he was in Thor, so I have to disagree with you on that one.
Loki is a brilliant villain, because he's a weak, pathetic excuse for a God and always in Thor's shadow but he's conniving and will do anything to gain the power he thinks he deserves, which I think came across really well. The one scene that did it for me was the one with the Black Widow. Tom Hiddleston plays him really, really well.
Yeah, I loved that scene (although I could say that about most of the scenes and moments in the film). He is easily the most interesting villain we've seen in any of these Marvel films so far.
Great review. My main concern is whether the characters each get a chance to shine, and it seems as though this is indeed the case.
Naturally the balance isn't perfectly split but every character, and that includes the fringe characters like Nick Fury, each get at least two stand out moments. The core cast get significantly more.
@Adam,
I'd go so far as to claim that Loki is the best superhero villain in a film adaptation since The Joker is TDK and sits firmly in the #2 spot behind the aforementioned clown. Hiddleston is brilliant.
I liked the plot and found it much better and "complicated" compared to the drivel found in the other CGI behemoth, the Transformers series. I loved the script. It was very well done for a movie like this.
67 likes on this review? Shit, Adam is popular on here.
@Dave
I sort of agree. I thought RDJ was hands down the focus of the film...I guess that's to be expected as RDJ as Ironman is perfect and he's a fan favorite. Thor and Hulk are in the background for most of the film until the end when Hulk smashes. Cap is #2, behind RDJ, in the first 2/3s or so and then becomes background material during "The Fight".
I really hope Loki gets a solo film..although Im sure it wont happen. I think that'd be so interesting..plus Hiddleston would kill it, in a good way.
@Phips: I think the 68 likes are purely down to being one of the first to review the film.
I watched the film for a second time on Friday and enjoyed it just as much.
I'm curious, is it because I am not a comic book fan that I do not like this film? Yes, I have to be the first negative reviewer to come onto this thread but it is really only to discuss and see what I am missing that so many other people get. I am a fan of Nolan's batman series and I think he raised the bar for comic book adaptations with those films because he not only sticks true to the characters and stories to please the fans of the comics but he also sets out to make a well made quality film. Nolan creates a intelligent script with complex characters that actually makes the audience think and not just another mindless action movie that I think The Avengers is. It seems like many of you have stated and agreed that the script was the weakest link, but this is also no character study french new wave kind of cinema either. I felt it to use every cliche in the book with a paper thin story whose only purpose was to string it together with the action sequences. Yes there was some humor to it and the action was entertaining but not enough to overlook all of these other serious issues (or at least serious with me). The cliches and predictability most of the time took the entertainment value away from me because I knew what was going to happen and it was no longer exciting. Really I expected this from the trailers because I could already tell the story was nothing more than any other "team" movie, where the players do not get along with one another at first then have to learn to accept each other in order to defeat a greater foe. That is basically the whole movie right there in that one sentence.
@Adam, even with your lengthy in depth review, I still do not see what I am missing. Many of the same things you bring up I have heard from others but I still do not see what makes that a great film. (It could be that I also have heard all of these things from comic book fans too) The points that you made such as the equal amount of screen time for each hero to prevent one from overshadowing the other, and the comic book roots. Maybe I just prefer if a comic book film is to be made that it at least be attempted to be made with some sort of quality and originality. Nolan's franchise may appeal to me more because Nolan takes a more realistic approach to Batman and mixes his world with ours. Nothing in The Avengers is made to feel realistic, probably why it feels like comic book visualized to you.
Robert, I think it will be hard for me to say that you are missing anything in particular. For many the Nolan Batman films are the benchmark for all comic book adaptations, and whilst they are indeed excellent the more grounded and realistic take on the source material only suits some comic book characters. With The Avengers the tone was already set with Iron Man. Although all the individual Avenger films (Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America) are quite different they have a far lighter and more comedic tone than many modern comic book movies. The Avengers takes this and runs with it. The script is full of knowing little nods and wise cracking banter and you get a sense on screen that the actors had fun making it.
You may say it lacks character development (it does) and the group dynamic is predictable (it is) but it isn't a typical film but rather an exclamation mark rounding off the previous five solo-outings. The film was always going to be a difficult balancing act - how do you make sure each character gets their moment to shine (particular when they each have solo films to come after and you don't want any of them to seem inferior) whilst also telling a compelling story with a rich compelling plot? One was always going to take precedence over the other. I'm not suggesting the story was the best it could have been but it served its purpose and a more compelling plot can be told in a sequel now the team, rules and relationships have been formed.
As I said in my review, the film is like a comic book brought to life, capturing the scale, humour and greatness of the characters. Superheroes are our Greek myths after all and just like Donner's Superman, The Avengers captures the power and grandeur of these men with great powers. It's not sophisticated but it is perfectly balanced and, importantly, a whole lot of fun. Having a fondness for the characters certainly helps but I know people who have never read a comic book in their life (or even seen the solo films) and still loved The Avengers. It was two hours of escapism with larger than life characters you actually cared for (something a lot of blockbusters seem to forget), strong action sequences and entertaining dialogue.
I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it though.