TGW Review: The Avengers
NON-SPOILERY
You know those movies that show all of the best scenes and funniest lines in the trailer? The Avengers is nothing like that.
The Avengers is a funny, action-packed, cohesive love letter to the super hero genre. It also manages to convey a serious sense of danger and urgency, without becoming overwhelmingly dark.
The Basics
Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Iron Man, and Thor must overcome their vast differences and team up to stop Loki and his invading army from conquering the world.
With five years of teasing from Marvel Studios; a huge cast of A-list talent; a collection of characters who shouldn’t be in the same room; and a story too big to tell in a movie, the opportunities for this film to suck were numerous. Fortunately, Joss Whedon & co were up to the challenge.
The Good
Badass Moments All Around!
Every single character has many moments to shine. With a cast this big, it would be easy to push many characters into the scenery. That didn’t happen. I’m hard-pressed to pick a favorite moment because there were so many great moments.
Bringing the Funny
In typical Whedon fashion, this movie is just as humorous as it is intense. In that way it reminds me of my True Lies (one of my all-time favorite action flicks).
Fun with Clichés
One of Whedon’s talents that runs throughout everything he’s ever done is his manipulation of clichés. He is a master of taking what the viewer expects, and then suddenly turning it on its side. Where lesser writers will fallback on “classic” story elements, Whedon works like a magician and always keeps you guessing. That’s one of the things that made Cabin in the Woods (2012) so exceptional.
Nothing is Wasted & Everything is Earned
This story is tight! There’s no fat on it. Every line either establishes a character, or pushes the story forward. Even the post-credit scene is a call-back joke to an earlier line that seemed like an irrelevant throwaway line.
3D
I strongly dislike 3D, but I didn’t mind the 3D in The Avengers. For the most part it added depth like a diorama, instead of flying at the audience like a pop-up book. With the exception of one brief moment, I was cool with the 3D.
Sam Jackson
Mr. Jackson is not known for subtlety. In The Avengers his performance in remarkably understated, and I thought it was exceptional. I’m not sure who made that decision, but whomever made that call deserves a cookie. If I’m remembering correctly, his most badass moment is devoid of dialog (or pretty close to it).
Suspension of Disbelief
The best praise I can give any super hero story (comic, or movie), is that my suspension of disbelief went unbroken throughout. Will that be the case after multiple viewing? I’m not sure. But while I was watching The Avengers, I was completely invested in the story, and it never made me question the narrative.
The Not-So-Good
As much as I loved The Avengers, I do have some minor gripes.
One Big Cliché
I don’t want to give anything away, but there is one big alien movie cliché that Whedon used to wrap up the film, and I found it slightly disappointing… But I also understood why it needed to be that way. I still wish it wasn’t.
3D Serpent Thingie
There was one moment in the third act where the 3D disrupted my viewing experience. That giant metal flying serpent thingie from the trailer flies into the screen (kind of over the camera), and my eyes/ brain were not ok with that at all.
Further Exploring the Idea of Freedom
Early in the film, Loki talks a bit about humans and freedom. It’s a concept that Whedon plays with a lot. In The Avengers, he starts to dig into this idea, but never really does anything with it, other than expand on Loki’s motivation. I think it was a missed opportunity to add extra meaning to the overall story.
The Ugly
Nothing serious to report here…
I Want More!
The DVD is going to have something like 30 minutes of extra footage, and I can’t wait for it.
The Bottom-Line
If you haven’t seen it yet, just go. This is what mainstream comic heroics look like at their very best.
There are two credits scenes.
The mid-credits scene sets up the next film (if you’re interested in who that character is, click here). You have to stay to see this as it explains something that happens in the beginning of the movie.
The post-credits scene isn’t necessary to see, but it is both very funny, and delightfully Whedonesque.
Lastly, if you liked the humor and storytelling in The Avengers, you really ought to watch some of Whedon’s early work. Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dr. Horrible & Dollhouse are exceptional shows that are smart, moving, funny, and very entertaining.
DC/ Warner Brothers is Having a Bad Week
Some folks from DC & Warner Brothers rejected Joss Whedon’s Wonder Woman movie script a few years ago.
I’m betting those people are having a rough week right about now.
The Avengers was eff-ing awesome. A detailed review is coming later.
Avengers Day! May the Thor-th Be With You
It’s Avengers release day! I’m just sitting in the theater waiting for shindig to start so I can enjoy all of its Whedony goodness.
I’m so excited for this… It better not disappoint. No. It won’t disappoint. In Joss we trust.
The lights are going down.
I’ll be back with colorful commentary later-ish.
Who is Thanos – The Man with the Purple Grin
Call it a hunch, but I suspect many non-comic geeks are going to be asking this question over the next few weeks:
Who is Thanos, AKA, the man with the purple grin?
Thanos was created by comic writer/ artists Jim Starlin in Iron Man 55.
Those who studied psychology might recognize his name’s connection to the thanatos complex, or death drive. While students of mythology will know that Thanatos (Thanatus in Latin) is the embodiment of death. At this point you might be noticing a pattern.
Thanos is a character obsessed with death. Literally. He spent his villainous career courting Death (a purple cloaked skeletal god of death in the Marvel Universe). His obsession has led him to kill a lot of people in hopes of winning her affection.
Kate Moss could totally play her!
In terms of strength, durability, and energy projection he’s on the of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe. However his intellect is his most potent weapon. Thanos stories always involve grandiose schemes that play-out over many issues (a trait common of many Starlin characters and comics). What sets Thanos apart from most other villains is that his plans generally work perfectly. When he is defeated it’s usually because he doesn’t feel he is worthy of Death’s love, and allows his opponents to win in some way (my over-simplification makes it sound less interesting that it is).
The Bottom-line
Thanos is a total badass of a character, and has been one of my favorite characters for many years.
His stories are deeply psychological, and very twisted. He’s the kind of character that Joss Whedon could have a lot of fun with if he were to perhaps stick around for an Avengers sequel.
If Thanos interests you, you should checkout Infinity Gauntlet. This is the definitive Thanos story, and one of the most fun superhero tales ever told.
Go See “Cabin in the Woods” (2012)
Non-Spoilery
I’m not a fan of the horror genre. So when I say that Cabin in the Woods (2012) is a great movie, I don’t mean that it’s great, for a horror movie. I mean that it’s a genuinely an excellent movie.
Cabin is very upfront with the viewer about what it is. The very first frame of the opening credits tells you exactly what you’re there to watch, and then it’s humorously quirky characters and unusual plot take care of the rest.
My favorite thing about Cabin is that it really sticks it to the horror genre for its predictability and sameness.
Cabin in the Woods is smart, unusual, fast-paced, and very self-aware, but not in an obnoxious way. It’s also thrilling but not terrifying. Go see it.
Spoilery
Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon did something special here. The details in this film are just killer.
Making a distinction between “Zombies” & “Zombie Redneck Torture Family,” or “Witches” & “Sexy Witches” was not a necessary detail, but the kind of thing that sets this film apart from lots of other horror movies. Plus, a homicidal unicorn that actually makes sense within the story!?
Is "Kevin" a Sin City reference?
I also love the ending. Everyone gets punished for their transgressions. As I watched our two heroes sit on the steps in the last scenes I realized as they did that this was the only way to end the story. It was strangely refreshing to watch the world end, because someone always seems to save it; even when it doesn’t make sense.
(Image via Bleeding Cool)
“Avengers” Bootleg Trailer
I think these bootleg trailers are being released as part of the movie’s PR campaign, but whatever… I’ll be a pawn for some Madison Avenue agency. I’m pretty excited for the Avengers.
Joss Whedon, please don’t fail us!
(Via Bleeding Cool)
Will “Captain America” Be Good?
It’s been a so-so Summer for comic book flicks, and it’s not for lack of volume. Even if you enjoyed Green Lantern, or X-Men: First Class, I doubt you left the theater proclaiming that either will be making your “bestest movies ever list.” Thor was pretty good, but it’s not exactly an instant classic.
Enter Captain America: The First Avenger.
It’s focused on one hero, the backstory is simple, and what makes the character interesting is his personality, not his powers. Plus, Joss Whedon did some script doctoring. I’m hoping that all of that adds up to a strong film.
Captain America: The First Avenger hits theaters on July 22.
