**This review contains spoilers for The Avengers, and Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope**

The Avengers is just as good the second time as it was the first time around. Joss Whedon has crafted one of the most fun superhero flicks I've ever seen by paying respect to all the films that came before him in this Marvel universe.

I did notice something this time around that I didn't the first time, and it probably has to do with the fact that I just watched Star Wars the night prior. The Avengers has the "Star Wars Syndrome" that I complained about in my Star Wars review.

Let me explain:

In Star Wars, very little happens. The crew is put together, they rescue the princess, then destroy the Death Star. That is fine, but it takes 120 minutes (plus) to do so. The Avengers is similar: the group assembles, they rescue their boat/plane/thing, and then save the city, and it, too, takes about two hours.

I understand that in a lot of films a lot less happens, but the reason this sticks out in these two films specifically is because they both are going for an epic feel, but rely on a lot of dialogue and conversation more than explosions (not that either is lacking in explosions). Where The Avengers beats Star Wars - and why I enjoy the film more (shoot me, but I do) - is that The Avengers dialogue is more exciting, and hilariously funny compared to Star Wars' slow moments, which seem to drag a bit more. I enjoy Joss Whedon's smart writing to George Lucas' in those two films.

That was a long-winded way for me to say that I understand the argument that some people use when criticizing The Avengers for being too "talky". I know it is talky, and I love it because of - not in spite of - that fact.

The Avengers is smart, fun, and hilarious. It helps cement The Hulk as my favorite Marvel character, and even makes me want a Hawkeye/Black Widow standalone film. Joss Whedon nails virtually every aspect of The Avengers, and I couldn't possibly be happier with it.