Just to reiterate, now that I’m rested and have my feet firmly planted in the next day:
This movie is the best comic book movie done yet. It is as vast and wondrous as the Marvel Universe is in its comics. Never before has that been done on screen this well. It completely shatters the Nolan-esque concept of rooting your heroes in the real world, which I’m a fan of, but it certainly has constrained comic movies as well.The Avengers celebrates the Jack Kirby imagination and yet also makes it tangible and engrossing.
One of its biggest successes: it did justice to The Hulk in a way that’s never been done on screen. Mark Ruffalo avoids the trap that Norton and Bana fell into and, instead of playing Banner like a sadsack scientist/refugee, plays Bruce with a strength, a bitterness and a nobility that blew me away. And The Hulk himself… truly terrifying.
Also, this would be Loki’s film if the writing weren’t so amazing. Tom Hiddleston outdoes himself and his performance in Thor in ever single scene. From his tears to his smirks to his rage… it doesn’t matter how prepared you think you are for his great acting, you will be blown away.
And like I said, it’s the great writing and acting that keeps this from being Loki’s film. Any other writer or director may not have been enough to keep the audience from all signing up to be part of Loki’s evil army. But Downey Jr., Evans, Ruffalo and Hemsworth are so committed to their characters and the dialogue is so intelligent, witty and lively, that you are constantly reminded who you are meant to root for and you can’t help it, no matter how amazing Loki is (which I really can’t overstate).
I will be seeing it again this weekend. And the next.
I’d say a lot more here about scenes and dialogue I loved, but I’m going to avoid talking about the plot for a bit until more people have seen it.
Seriously, though, see it soon. Make room in your budgets for extra showings. This film is incredible.