‘The Avengers’: Heroes Assemble in the Biggest Superhero Film To Date

by 

Perhaps in order to be precise and more exact, I should label this post, the-movie-everyone-but-me-has-seen or the-review-everyone-but-me-has-already-written. Yeah. But, we’ll go with the professional one and leave it at that.

Ever since filmmakers started teasing us with this movie, it became a kind of “awe” inspiring cinematic feat. Ironically, about the time the teaser promos came about is the same time that I really got into super hero films, and if one rules above all the rest, this would be it.

The Avengers (2012) MCU Film Review

S.H.I.E.L.D. comes under attack. As a result, this puts American lives at risk; the energy source they protect is unstable.  This forces the director, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to have the facility evacuated. Knowing what they protect should never fall into the wrong hands, Fury puts his best on it, but Clint “Hawkeye” Barton (Jeremy Renner) reports no breaches. Without warning, the Asgard king Loki (Tom Hiddleston) enters the modern world with the intent to destroy it, and walks away with the cube, Selvig (Stellan Skargard), and Hawkeye. Fury now has a disaster to contend with. This inspires him to pull his best agent out of her op. Natasha Romonoff (Scarlett Johansson) has a past but she’s also the best. She is tasked to bring in Dr. Banner (Mark Ruffalo). They also need Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), a WWII super solider who’s been comatose for 70 years.

Also read in is the arrogant but intelligent billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) also known as Iron Man. Parting with his girlfriend Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Stark makes his way to S.H.I.E.L.D’s HQ. Iron Man and Captain Rogers manage to capture Loki but then lose him to his brother, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), an Asgardian who has a personal feud with Loki. Eventually, Thor sees the only way to thwart the powerful Loki is work with S.H.I.E.L.D.

FILM REVIEW | ‘X-Men: First Class’ – Marvel’s New Kids on the Block

Would it be okay if I gush about this movie? Yes? Good because I’m going to. This movie is awesome. And epic. And heroic! Despite being the only one in my family who really likes superhero flicks, this title is one that the only appropriate way to watch is on the big-screen. Turns out, I’m right. I know no one cares or needs to know this, but gosh is this terrific on the big-screen. The sound reverberates (you can feel it) and is at times too loud but as an action film, this embodies the true sense of patriotism.

‘The Avengers’: Heroes Assemble in the Biggest Superhero Film To Date. A review of the 2012 ensemble blockbuster. #Movies #CaptainAmerica #MCU #Marvel #MovieArchives Click To Tweet

Last summer Thor and Captain America stormed the box office, both of which are great escapism. I like both for different reasons. Learning Marvel would put so many of its heroes in one place was almost too good to be true. For those few skeptical souls let me assure you, The Avengers isn’t just a fun outing, it also features some fabulous special effects and unforgettable heroics. Although, to be fair, just as we might expect, the good guys don’t always win. They come up against losses, but what matters is that they never give up. I can recall reading a mainstream review in which the reviewer said this about the Avengers, “they might not be the heroes we deserve, but they are the ones we need.” At the movies, it’s becoming alarmingly rare to encounter a hero who is above reproach. Here we have a good half-dozen.

‘The Avengers’: Heroes Assemble in the Biggest Superhero Film To Date. A review of the 2012 ensemble blockbuster. All text © Rissi JC

Character development is basically non-existent because we already “know” the characters from their titular films. Despite the lack of new information, I love seeing them all together and being introduced to Tony Stark (note to self: must rent Iron Man) plus the new kid on the block, Hawkeye. He and Natasha have some great scenes that leave us begging to know more. Everything looks cool although the climax could have been cut, and still had an impact. What most surprises is the humor; it’s always timed just when we needed it most. Don’t expect everyone to walk away as a recurring character dies and there are some sacrifices made.

My dad is not the kind of person who likes movies in which the heroes have super powers, he prefers spy thrillers or an intelligent Dickens story but he went with me to see this one, and I have to say, despite being in a BIG theater with annoying patrons, the audience seems to understand the deeper impact the movie tries to make. I have been in movies in which the ending demands applause but not the same as this. The Avengers may not be the most intelligent film of this year but it is meaningful. Kudos to it for taking the box office number one spot for weeks!

Here ends my gushing.

Content: there are plenty of violent scenes in which men are shot or stabbed. The climax has ugly space creatures invading NYC. There are about three intense hand-to-hand combat scenes; at least three men are re-programmed to mindlessly fight with Loki’s army. Language is rare but there are a few profanities. One scene shows a nude Banner lying in a pile of rumble [we barely miss a full frontal shot when he is dressing] and female agents wear form fitting uniforms. The film is PG-13

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

37 comments

  1. My brothers recently saw this movie at the the theaters and enjoyed it.
    I hope I"ll get to watch it when it comes out on DVD.

  2. Rachel – I couldn't put it better. =)

    Ella – cool! I hope you enjoy it; the DVD will be here before you know it. I'm betting it will be a popular buy. (I know I will be one of those who purchase a copy. ;D)

    So glad you are commenting again – stop by again soon. =)

    Jo – oh, really? I don't think I could take 3D – my cousin has been to something in 3D and she said it gave her a headache. I think it would me too. Glad you enjoyed it.

    Stop in again soon. =)

    Ruth – me, too! I am right there with you. I think it is Thor 2 and maybe CA2? I am not sure but whatever, they will be awesome. =D

    Charity – oh, I know. LOL! It was just something fun to say because I swear nearly every blog I follow has either reviewed it or have posted that it is a "coming soon" review, so it struck me as funny. =)

    Enjoy!

  3. I loved this movie! And there was spontatneous cheering in our theater, too (that one scene where a *certain* character gets tossed around like a rag doll….:) Glad you enjoyed it!

  4. I didn't mention this in my video but when I saw it a second time, there had to be at least four families with little kids. Okay, first, how are the little kids going to appreciate this movie? Second, please tell your kid to be QUIET or LEAVE. It kind of ruined the experience.

  5. AnnaKate – right you are! It sure was – this one is a must-buy. =)

    Trinka – me, too! After that, there really is nothing more to say, right!? LOL!

    Tory – as am I! I loved seeing it on the big-screen; I'd pretty much concluded that it wasn't going to happen. One of the best movies to spend that theater ticket price on. =)

    TJ – it is EPIC. Unless you don't like super heroes, this one is the best I've seen yet. Loved it. Enjoy!

    Hayden – you and me both. =) That "certain" character was so darn annoying I couldn't help but laugh-out-loud with the entire audience. My dad thought it was all a little sappy, I think but hey, it was priceless. ;D

    Thanks – really glad you stopped in; it's been forever. =)

    Lizzy – I know, right!? It was only a couple of times for me but I was somewhat annoyed that the father didn't tell his kids to stop kicking the seats! I mean, really?? lol!

    I don't get why parents bring their kids to the theater either – most the time, they are bored far too easily plus this was a looong movie for a child to sit through. Or that is my opinion. I couldn't believe how many people were "up and down" during the entire movie – it was like: really? You need more popcorn?! Ah, well! The movie was too good to be ruined. =)

    Super glad you stopped in – don't be a stranger. =)

  6. Yeah, show basic courtesy.
    By the way, I can't change the link to my blog when you click on my profile picture- it brings you to a post from last year instead of my current posts. Do you know how?

  7. You are so right – I don't know why parents seem to have so little control over their kids – guess they just don't discipline or set boundaries.

    O.k., yes I see what you mean, Lizzy. The reason it is going to that post is because that is the link you must have embedded in your Blogger link name. You need to edit your Google Friend Connect page. There you should be able to easily change where your "Just School" link takes you – you'll want to take your readers here: http://lizzy-at-just-school.blogspot.com

    That way whenever someone clicks on your "links," it will automatically take them to your home page and whatever is new on your blog!

    Hope this helps. At first I thought you meant your photo here in the comments, and when I clicked on it, I was taken to your Blogger profile which seemed right. =) Best of luck!

  8. Best. Movie. Ever. Alright, it's the best superhero film I've seen so far. Really, really amazing!

    Oh, you're not the last person to write a review for the Avengers. I'm still planning to write mine.

  9. Nav – as did I!

    Thanks bunches for stopping in to comment – please do so again sometime. =)

    Jemimah – you've got that right! When it comes to super heroes, this one is the best. =)

    Oooh! Cool – will definitely look forward to that post. =)

  10. Awesome just about covers "The Avengers." Of course I could watch Captain America all day long and never get bored! Still, I think you're right in that Hawkeye is something special. I use a bow and arrows myself so having a superhero do the same is fantastic. Plus, I LOVE Jeremy Renner so his addition made me happy, happy, happy!

    Did you hear about the 5 other films that have been green-lighted? Another Captain America, another Iron Man, another Thor, another Avengers, and one for Nick Fury (who's also amazing!). Huzzah!

  11. Ella – awesome! I hope you've enjoyed a lovely break. =)

    Carissa – you got that right! It may be buried underneath layers of silliness but The Avengers has some seriously good things about it. I loved CA but I do think it can be a bit tedious in places – still I LOVED it. Its sense of patriotism and above-reproach hero is unmatched.

    Jeremy Renner's character = brilliant! Loved him. (Hoping to see J.R in the latest "Bourne" film on the big-screen later this summer!)

    Yes! I am so excited about those up-coming films. I probably won't get too excited about Fury's (just 'cause I am so focused on the other heroes) but I suspect that as soon as I watch the Iron Man (ego or not, he was hilarious) films, I'll be on the look-out for that sequel plus CA2 and Thor 2 already has me thrilled. =) Should be a great 2013 summer!!

    Glad you stopped in, Carissa. =)

    Jennifer – so right! It sure was. Will definitely be buying this one to go alongside my minor collection of super hero flicks. ;D

  12. Glad to hear you enjoyed the movie Rissi! Like Charity, I still haven't seen it yet (yeah, I'm likely going to be watching it on DVD at this rate ;_;) but it really does look fantastic, everyone's told me how awesome it was =D

  13. I hope you enjoy it, Li! It was AWESOME. Like you, I just figured I'd buy the DVD but being out and about on Memorial Day, things wound up working in our favor and we were back in time to catch the next showing. =D

    (Gosh but the theater was busy!)

  14. Rissi — Hmm, I'm not a fan of going to the theatre when it's crowded so I guess it's a good thing I haven't gone yet xD But yes, I'll certainly be on the lookout for the DVD when it hits the shelves in September xD

  15. Me either, Li. It is why I never (or very rarely) see a new release until AT LEAST the 2nd week. Being as this film has been out for about 4 weeks, I thought there would be next-to-no-one seeing it but surprise!, there were plenty in the showing. Still… it was a holiday. I should have guessed that. =)

    Yay for September!

  16. I'm so glad you liked it, Rissi! It far exceeded my expectations, and I was already anticipating it. I love that it has comedy, action, sacrifice, and even a little deeper message. I also appreciated that it was a relatively clean film. Overall, just a great movie!

  17. Me, too! I really loved this one – and as you say, it does seem to exceed its potential. Only one of the things I so liked about it.

    It was relatively content-free wasn't it? Yet another reason to promote it!

  18. Gotta say…Can't wait for it to be released!! I loved the movie unconditionally, and wanted to see it again in the theaters but never got the chance to. And…like an idiot….I missed the end-of-credit scene!!! I know, I know….never leave a Marvel without waiting till the end of the credits…but they tricked me with that middle-of-credits scene. Never again am I leaving til the lights come on and the popcorn sweepers come in. :)

    Kellie @ Cherry Coke & Popcorn Movie Reviews
    http://www.cherrycokeandpopcorn.blogspot.com

  19. Neither can I, Kellie. I am so going to nab it next week on the Blu Ray combo pack and am hoping to get a good deal on it to boot. :-)

    This was rather awesome on the big-screen. I never see something a 2nd time in theaters but I could have this movie because the "bigness" of it was infectious! Loved that!

    Never fear: I didn't stay for the final credits either. My cousin told me it wasn't "important" though so I don't feel like I missed much. ;-D Still… yeah, we should know better than to walk out of a Marvel movie. Next time, we'll know better! LOL!

  20. I saw this in the theater five times — more times than I have ever seen any movie in the theater. Ever. I can't think of words big or grand enough to describe this movie — and I've been trying for months!

    Joss Whedon has been writing amazing, humorous, smart things for decades, and it's so wonderful to see him get his due. Since you're a Nathan Fillion fan, have you watched the show Firefly? Joss created it, Nathan starred in it — the stuff cult fandoms are made of!

    1. Wow! That's a lot of theater trips. :) On the big-screen this is one impressive spectacle and it was sure worth seeing just for the "effect" and yet, the movie was so much more than just "cool."

      Ironic that you should ask about Firefly, Hamlette. My dad had someone loan him the set and it sat around the house for months before we returned it unwatched. It looked interesting but I didn't like some of the things I read about it but yes, I do love Nathan in Castle! He's so cute. ;D Thanks for the recommendation; it's always fun to discover new things.

      Big thanks for the comment and follow! Welcome! It means a lot to me to have involved readers and I hope you find this a helpful blog. Visit again soon. :)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

(Enter your URL then click here to include a link to one of your blog posts.)

Optimized by Optimole