Avengers Assemble (2012)
Certified: PG
Duration: 143 minutes
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddlestone, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow
KRS release
When I was young I used to dream about my favourite superhero characters jumping out of comic book pages and onto the big screen.
With Avengers Assemble, this 30-something’s wish has finally come true.
For the comic book fans out there: Yes, Marvel has got it right! All the necessary ingredients have been inserted to make a film that is every bit as bombastic and over-the-top as the comic book demands.
For all non-Avengers fans, this is the best popcorn entertainment epic in recent years.
It has all the special effects of Transformers without being pedantic; its characters actually grow on you and you will enjoy their company while on screen.
The film is serious and funny; full of action but heartfelt, operatic yet thoughtful.
Recent films Iron Man 1 and 2, Thor, Hulk and Captain America have all been building to the moment when this band of unlikely heroes gets together.
After all, a thunder god, a green giant, a World War II hero, an egoistic tin man, a sexy spy and a self-confident Robin Hood/Legolas seem to be all on different levels.
The film is directed by Joss Whedon, a self-confessed fan-boy whose past work in comic books and sci-fi films has given him the savoir faire to tackle such characters.
As far as I am concerned, Mr Whedon’s greatest accomplishment is the way he gives all the characters/actors their time to keep things balanced.
After all, four of these characters had leading roles in their respective title films.
Special moments include Thor vs Iron Man and Thor vs Hulk Fights, a face-off between Captain America and Iron Man, The Black Widow’s introduction as she interrogates Russian criminals, Hulk battling Loki, Tony Stark offering Loki a drink and Captain America’s reaction at the heli-carrier.
The Avengers does not try to reinvent the wheel. It sticks to comic book rules in the sense that one hero will fight another, an otherworldly invasion is placed in the midst and quips are delivered while the world faces destruction and ruin.
The cast only helps to make this film so successful: Robert Downey Jr is the perfect Tony Stark and Chris Evans is stiff and self-righteous just as Captain America should be.
Scarlet Johannsson is dead sexy in a black suit; Jeremy Renner is a bit psychotic; Mark Ruffalo delivers the angst while Chris Hemsworth is the best thunder god I can imagine.
However, the supporting cast is not to be underestimated: Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson is not to be dismissed while Samuel L. Jackson has truly made the character of Nick Fury his own.
The storyline is an origin story where the world’s heroes get together to save the world.
The menace here lies with Loki (Tom Hiddlestone), Thor’s evil brother. That in a nutshell is the story. This is probably also the best portrayal of The Hulk which is something to write home about, as his is one of the most difficult characters to bring to the screen.
The film delivers the right dose that had me giddy with excitement. When the final act starts to unfurl, the action is really top notch.
Avengers Assemble is a great movie and great fun. A word to fans: Do not leave the theatre till the end credits are up; as is customary with Marvel films, a surprise is in store at the very end. Enjoy.