Marvel’s The Avengers Review

Marvel's The Avengers (2012)

Directed by: Joss Whedon

Written by: Joss Whedon (screenplay) and Jake Penn (story)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Samuel L.  Jackson, etc.

Hard to believe looking back on Marvel's the Avengers being this unprecedented achievement for Marvel Studios who were taking a HUGE risk with a cinematic universe that had NEVER been attempted before by building up to the ultimate team-up film after a handful of solo superhero adventures that while overall successful, the inevitable assembling of one of comics' most beloved superhero unit on the big screen for the first time had too much riding on it to fail. The first two Ironmans, The Incredible Hulk, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger pretty much introduced us to the signature core Avengers that we would see join for the massive brawl before the return of the villain from the comics that brought them together in the first place.  I think it's fair to say after the often underrated Thor, seeing Loki, the infamous God of Mischief coming back to be the lead villain of the film was beyond pleasant to see again. Tom Hiddleston just grows more confident and gleefully arrogant in his performance as the outcast son of the Frost Giants who has made a deal with an otherworldly evil to lead an army called the Chitauri on a global siege of Earth in return of Loki claiming it as his own.  As for that boss of a threat from beyond the stars.....it's hard to believe that merely seeing Thanos at the end of the mid credit scene was such a earth shattering reveal back in 2012 given how the Infinity Saga had officially wrapped up by the end of 2019 and now Phase 4 of the MCU has been focusing on the multiverse as of late.

This review is more than just a look back on the first Avengers but actually a shocking celebration of the 10 year anniversary of seeing the team where Tony so passionately delivers "we have a Hulk" really cemented the success of Kevin Feige dream of making Marvel films become an ongoing interconnected story unlike anything the world of cinema had EVER seen before. Yes! it's already been a decade when it just felt like just yesterday the Avengers took the world by storm and became an undeniable pop culture phenomenon.  Yet it's so easy to re-watch this film 10 years later and see how seamlessly everything came together from Joss Whedon's terrific superhero ensemble of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.  Whedon has always been a major fan of the Avengers throughout his early career while crafting his landmark shows like "Buffy" and "Firefly", so who better to direct this legendary first assembly of one of Marvel's iconic team of superheroes???  You can tell Whedon, overseeing both directing and writing duties alongside Zak Penn, who came up with the film's story are so devoted to the comics as the film seems like a dream come to life by fans who couldn't wait to show the world how these solo heroes interact with each other for the first time.  Chris Evans returns as Captain America and is continuously solid in the character as Cap not only becomes the leader of the team but has to adjust to life in 2012 while also trying to save the world.  Chris Evans just has that rightful charm and old school perfected delivery that makes Cap work so well but also standing confidently against the other heroes...especially Tony! And what more can I say about Robert Downey Jr.'s effortless third onscreen performance as the egotistical "genius billionaire playboy philanthropist"???  He's funny, obnoxious but heroic and charismatic as ever as he clashes with not only S.H.E.I.L.D. but Captain America as well.

Of all the hero interactions, there's is the most entertaining and intense....as it should be since Cap and Tony are apart of the Marvel Trinity alongside Thor but shows just how amazing their relationship/friendship is in the comics.  Captain is a traditional man, with values and customs about doing what's right while Tony is more in the grey area; wanting to do the right thing abut his approach still being a bit....MUCH for people around him.  Speaking of Thor, Chris Hemsworth seems more well adjusted here as Thor, especially clashing with his fellow Trinity members. The forest scene where all three meet for the first time is just inspired, hilarious and the action is pretty inventive, especially the first time that shield and hammer combine for one shocking chain reaction! :)  Of course, his scenes with Loki have some of the best emotional resonance of the film, especially when Thor first returns to Earth to reclaim Loki but giving into his inner nature as a brother by even begging for him to come home.  Chris and Tom are electric together as always; giving the hero/villain relationship more depth everytime they clashed onscreen.  As for our other three Avengers, Mark Ruffalo more than adequately fills in the shoes left behind by Edward Norton (Thanks to him being far to difficult to work with apparently and wanting too much money as well??? O_0)  He really sells Bruce Banner's uneasiness and torment of his Green Beast alter ego aka the Hulk. :)  I loved his scenes in particular when he's working with Stark discussing their distrust of S.H.E.I.L.D., especially Tony so hilariously wondering how he keeps himself from turning into the Hulk.  Speaking of Hulk, I loved how Whedon incorporated him into the story by giving Hulk's presence this foreboding feeling of fear and anxiety at the thought of him returning if Bruce's anger isn't under control.  And it's not all talk as that transformation scene where Natasha is trying to calm down Bruce during an attack turns into one of the most surprisingly horror driven sequences I've seen in a modern superhero film.  O_O

Seriously, I actually feared for Natasha's life at one point and that was before the jump scare out of literally nowhere.  Speaking of Black Widow herself, Scarlett Johansson definitely gets to flew a lot of more of her acting muscles her as the Russian spy turned S.H.E.I.L.D. agent. Clearly this new world of magic, gods and world conquering alien armies is so overwhelming to her but she more than holds her own as the only female Avenger of the team.  Her scene with Loki in particular is masterful and completely shows she's more than capable of using her very unique set of skills against powerful enemies unlike anything she's ever seen.  I also thoroughly enjoyed her bond with Clint Barton aka Hawkeye, who finally gets an official introduction here as the last original member of the Avengers. They use him not only well but do a fantastic job of showing just how a man with high tech arrows can be a tremendous asset on the team as a marksmen; providing serious trouble for both the team and during the final battle.  And my god, that final battle! The first battle with the Avengers during the Battle for New York is just so iconic now! From Banner's chill inducing line before transforming into the Hulk to the Avengers actually assembling to that remarkable one take tracking shot of all 6 members fighting the Chitauri as a team is synonymous with the high standards of comic book films we demand now because of it!  There are moments of not only awesome humor but triumphant victories while also some truly heartbreaking moments of defeat. I have no words for how beautifully paced and directed the Battle for New York was and STILL is too this day even after Infinity War and Endgame. 

It was at that moment you knew Marvel Studios achieved the unthinkable and Kevin Feige executed this cinematic universe with unexpected damn near perfection. :)  While Marvel doesn't get much recognition for its scores compared to DC films (like the forever badass Wonder Woman theme!), the music here is quite well done, especially that iconic Avengers theme tune.  It's epic, hopeful and comes in ferociously whenever the team is being highlighted at their absolute best as they should.  I also enjoyed the major introduction to S.H.E.I.L.D.  Sure, we meet Nick Fury in Iroman and Ironman 2, but finally seeing things like the Quinjet and massive Helicarrier in action for the first time is one of the finest experiences I have ever had as a Marvel fan.  Samuel L. Jackson was simply made to play S.H.E.I.L.D. director Colonel Nick Fury as his unlikely Avengers Initiative came into fruition.  He's badass, he's inspired and has some of the best lines of the film: "Well tell if real power wants a magazine or something."  Cobie Smulders of "How I Met Your Mother" fame at the time is splendid as Maria Hill (Seriously impressive casting there! :) but it sees S.H.E.I.L.D.'s entire staff of spies, technicians, etc. working around the Avengers that really engrosses you into the world building here.  The entire cast just has the best chemistry and no scene shows that better than in the science lab where all 6 Avengers and Fury are arguing over S.H.E.I.L.D.'s real intentions for the Tesseract, not to mention everyone's ego clashing like never before.  The special effects and action are top tier from the epic in-fighting within the group during that aforementioned forest scene to Hulk and Thor laying waste to the Chitauri army while destroying one of those enormous, unforgettable Leviathans.  

Mind you that moment when Hulk took out one on his own with one punch was direction at its highest level of skill.  But then Joss' direction is exceptional throughout in both intimate and grander sequences being shown.  His script is also so scarp, hilarious and full of depth that it's no wonder that directors of the MCU that followed would try desperately to recreate the brilliant comedic timing during the movie's funniest scenes which came often.  But it just shows you no one can duplicate Joss' writing to a degree where it feels as natural as his so....O_o  Hard to believe I'm writing this review 10 years after the very first MCU blockbuster that really, if it wasn't as amazing as it was, we wouldn't have gotten the run of equally or better films to come (as well as some of the weakest! O_o But when those come in my review!)  Yes! This year marks the 10th anniversary of Marvel's the Avengers and I am honestly at a loss for words.  I remember seeing the film in theaters and how in awe the audience was watching all this for the first time.  It was such a great time at the theaters that I will never forget.  These characters were solid in their own films, but once they came together onscreen for the first time as a team, something truly special was indeed happening before our eyes. :_)  There won't be anything like the MCU moving forward because of the Avengers films in particular and the first is honestly one of the best superhero films of all time alongside Infinity War and Endgame.  As for Age of Ultron.......I'll keep my opinions to myself before I re-watch it and review it. lol 

"This almost effortless introduction to Earth's Mightiest Heroes on the big screen is too good to be true as we see Gods and super soldiers collide for an explosive adventure of defending Earth from the fearful return of Loki and the biggest threat the world has ever faced with him.  Thanks to beloved and praised director and writer, Joss Whedon, "Marvel's the Avengers" is more than simply just a thrill ride with superheroes fighting armies but a tremendously put together film that has so much heart and genuine humor that it is such a re-watchable classic that never gets old.  Everything nearly works smoothly and characters like Agent Coulson are given so much depth with their screen time, the very focused attention to even the smallest details are astounding.  THE MCU film you NEED to see with a phenomenally structured coda on Phase 1." :)

Final Film Score: A