Just came home from the Avengers (I attended the midnight showing). Naturally, there were more man boobs in the theater than there were women.

Overall, this is a solid piece of popcorn entertainment. It comes together nicely and all the characters fit together like a puzzle. But it's not amazing and still abides by several comic book film cliches.

But first, the good. Joss Whedon had an almost impossible task to fulfill. How do you bring six different comic book story lines together to form one coherent story? Well, he does, and it's the film's strongest point by far. Nothing seems rushed or cramped (I'm looking at you Spiderman 3). The Avengers shines when the characters play off each other, either through dialogue or action. All the characters are equally likable and Whedon really captures their personality. I'm a huge fan of Captain America and I wasn't disappointed. Sure, Hawkeye kind of gets the shaft, but who gives a flying f uck about Hawkeye anyway? The Hulk is amazing and Ruffalo really brings the character to life. He's the best Hulk so far (surprisingly). and when, he comes to true form, well, we've got ourselves a badass over here. Ironman is still the snarky asshole we've all grown to love and his dialogue is right on point. Even though I'm not a huge fan of Thor, he was likable in this film and I enjoyed his character much more in the Avengers than I did in his own film. And then there's the action. I hate to say it, but the 3D looks really polished. It accentuated the action bits. Overall the action was fast paced, well edited, and very entertaining. The battle at the end is really satisfying because you really care about each character. Whedon also did a superb job in the director's chair. There's one action sequence in particular (where it bounces from character to character) that's simply stunning. There are some clever camera angles here and there and it accentuates the film nicely. Amidst a crazy action sequence, it's nice to see some artistic flair.

Now for the bad (which I'll turn into a list because it's easier on the eyes)

-the first hour is just so-so. it definitely gains momentum and gets better after that first initial hour or so.

-i never felt as though loki posed much of a threat. he's kind of a p ussy and i wish they picked a better villain.

-there are a few iffy spots of CGI. poor CGI really takes me out of the film and there were a few flying sequences that made me grimace.

-some of the dialogue is...questionable. there are a lot of "whedon-ism" where a phrase is inserted that really doesn't make much sense. for example, the phrase, "i've got red on my record" is uttered one too many times for my liking

-although i love super hero films, the avengers contains some of my biggest grievances about super hero films as a whole. some of the costumes look downright silly, crowds aren't accurately depicted, and set pieces look like, well set pieces. the superhero hardly ever misses his/her jump and conveniently lands on a platform when falling. just seems a little cheap for joss.

-the f ucking atomic bomb device. seriously, why do writers still do it? and by this i mean, "we're going to nuke the entire city in x minutes if this doesn't happen." its trite and stupid by this point.

-a few small plot holes. why would iron man fight thor if he was already debriefed? why would nick fury shoot a rocket at a plane 50 feet in front of him that's equipped with an atomic bomb? why is there gravity/sound in space? all minor quips

i'm beginning to be a little too picky so i'll stop here. overall, go see this one in theater. and if you're on the fence about the 3D, go see in 3D. it works well here and isn't intrusive like most other films. plus you'll get to see the prometheus trailer in 3D (which, after it's completion, I yelled "I CAME" in the theater...because i did). i had my doubts about the avengers and whedon's capabilities but he pulled it off. he has a real knack for bringing together several different character and weaving them into a single story. he was the right man for the job.

B+ for me

Quoted from albinopenguin Overall, this is a solid piece of popcorn entertainment. It comes together nicely and all the characters fit together like a puzzle. But it's not amazing and still abides by several comic book film cliches.

Sums my words up pretty well. Saw this on the second day of release here. Can't believe people are saying this is the greatest movie of all time... The IMDB rating is laughable.

I did enjoy the film but I felt there was something missing. I might be heading back to the cinema tonight to find out what is that particular thing that been nudging me since I saw it last week. (Early screening at the UK). But I loved the Whedon's dialogue 'Puny God' which carried out the whole film.

Also if I may state out my opinions about those small plot holes:

Thor I think is new to the environment of meeting the other superheroes when he introduced to our world yet again. He is quite an arrogant character, matched by Stark's ego. The only way these two would come to terms with each other is to fight. Stark could have cool him down but I don't see how according to his personality, to show a side that is calming. But saying that I need to watch Thor again to investigate more.

Nick Fury showed he can sacrifice himself for the greater good, even if it means the possibly of blowing his base up. But it was a quick, edgy decision for him to bring the missile out and launch it straight to the aircraft. Something out of the blue if you will.

I'm not a scientist so I can't explain the sound/gravity in Space.

The end credit bonus scene *SPOILERS* reminds me of Transformers and its sequel, with the badass boss, hiding away in a planet somewhere. Even if it's somewhat thrilling, it felt repetitive to the Sci-Fi genre.

I did enjoy the film and gave it a rating out of 4.5/5 because purely of the hype and the fun I had at the cinema. I will be sure to watch it again.    

Right now it's sitting at an 8.8 on IMDB which is about right. I'm assuming it changed since earlier today. I forgot to stress how much fun the film is. You'll have an absolute blast watching it and that's what really matters.

A few points about those plot holes (I really don't want to go too in depth lest my virginity returns)...

I definitely see why stark and thor would fight. seems natural and appropriate. but stark had no idea who he was. however, he was debriefed on the team earlier on in the film when phil showed up. then again, maybe thor wasn't included in that file since he was presumed gone. yet given loki's presence, it would be stupid NOT to inform stark of thor.

yeah you could say that, but i still have my doubts.

don't have to be a scientist. there's simply no sound or gravity in space. or explosions. but that's hollywood for ya.

SPOILERS the purple guy at the end is thanos which, let's be honest, mainstream audiences won't recognize. i love Marvel when events happen on earth. when they start divulging into other universes, i tend to stand back and groan. why can't i have a captain america movie without all the thor s hit creeping in?!

Just saw it and it was great, I didn't expect the first half to spend so much time getting things together but it worked. It wasn't my favorite comic book movie but I think that Whedon did a great job. Also, the 3d wasn't as pointless as I thought it would be which is nice.

Very enjoyable movie.

Founf the parts about Phil Coulson hilariously bad, but they only derailed it for a short time.

I liked the film a lot, but I thought Whedon pushed it too far in his quirks from time to time. That said, I thought the issue of the mis-handling of Agent Phil Coulson is correct. There's a big joke about Capn America trading cards, and how he wants Capn America to sign them. When the cards show up at a pivotal moment, I thought it was kind of chessy as a Kleenex moment (you'll have to highlight for the spoiler) and then to find out it was even more cheese than originally thought. That said...it did help in a character comparison and aided the character arc of Tony Stark/Iron Man.

Oh, by the way, I'm no science whiz either, but y'know what? The Independence Day moment was unimpressive to me. See: Ang Lee's Hulk and Iron Man 1. (characters nearly going into space)

I didn't mind character tussles since its a comics staple that heroes have minor sparring sessions now and then under mind control or misunderstanding. But I did also feel it was overkill. I ab-so-lutely hated the big argument scene I just wanted everyone to clam up and get on with it.

Mark Ruffalo stole the movie. Not just as The Hulk, either.
Scarlett Johannson redeemed herself from IM2. But then if there's one thing Joss usually does well, it's writing female heroines.

Loki was okay as a mastermind villian, and every hero gets a chance to swat him. But all he did more or less was twirl a moustache, watch by the sidelines and ask folks to bow before him because "my goal is to rule the world after I burn it all down". The Hulk-Loki moment will go down in history. Still, I wondered if they should have just used Thanos instead. (*Note: some of the audience I was with, even comics lovers thought Thanos was a Skrull. And if you head on over to the IMDB, there is an incorrect report that 'The Other' is Red Skull')

Overall an enjoyable film.

Caught this one on the weekend and have to say that I enjoyed it for what it is. I went in expecting a popcorn fest film full of mindless action and that is what I got along with a few laughs.

Quoted from DarrenJamesSeeley The Hulk-Loki moment will go down in history.

I agree with this, it was my highlight of the movie.

I honestly thought this movie was going to be an absolute mess, how can you portray all these superheroes into one film and let them all share the limelight and shine. This was The Avengers biggest success IMO and I think the interaction between all the major players was so well done and they all got some great moments (Hulk and Captain America the best for me)

All in all, an enjoyable movie which I would see again but I’m a fan of mindless action and superheroes so go figure.

Quoted from albinopenguin you'll get to see the prometheus trailer in 3D (which, after it's completion, I yelled "I CAME" in the theater...because i did)

I absolutely loved seeing the trailer for Prometheus on the big screen which gave me goosebumps but I do wish it gave me the same reaction as Will.

haha the prometheus trailer was seriously that amazing. and for once, i've decided that i HAVE to see the film in 3D. it looked that slick.

so I have a correction to make. you can't detonate a nuclear bomb by shooting a missile at the airplane carrier. my bad.

Quoted from albinopenguin -some of the dialogue is...questionable. there are a lot of "whedon-ism" where a phrase is inserted that really doesn't make much sense. for example, the phrase, "i've got red on my record" is uttered one too many times for my liking

It's "red on my ledger" actually. I did like that part when black widow gives us a small view into who she was before working with Fury.

I thought this was great. I never thought they could pull it off, but I was wrong. Eventhough it starts a bit slow, the dialogue is witty enough to keep me on my toes.

I'm not gonna break into what did and didn't work for me. I think everyone should go see it and don't walk into it thinking it's the best movie EVER! It's not. It's just damn good fun.

James

Yeah, i think  the reviewers here have given this a good description.

What worked for me was;

1] the way they worked the banter between them

2] similar to [1] the way they argued etc

3] humour - they give it a real place and it worked. i agree on the hulk meets the bady (logo) moment - had me bursting with laughter. but there were other good ones.

afterall the core of this film was the meeting of the most weird bunch. far more interesting that a weirdo from space or wherever

what didn't work was;

1] yeah a few stupid lines like the red stain as mentioned above and a few others

2] the villain - sometimes strange. just didn't work but in someways they almost didn't need one.

3] 3D - only my second film for 3D. first was awful, this didn't seem to do much better. not sure I  want to see a 3D film again - are there better ones?

Caught this last night...

And I have to say Whedon did an admirable job with this juggernaut.
The character interaction is the glue that holds the threads together.

I thought that MOST of the Whedonisms worked.
There were some spots of "over-banter".

The Independence Day shuffle with Iron Man detracted for me.
The Hulk flat out rawked. Ruffalo nailed it for me.
Snippets of angst for most were decent to downright effective.
The Captain America/Iron Man beef came off vague at times.

Loki and Agent Coulson were the biggest detractors for me.
The extra Coulson bits telegraphed he demise.
The way he sacrificed himself was an eye roller for me.
Loki was a snot. Never felt the villain vibe with him after the opener.
Loved the humans need to be ruled bit, after that he's a twat.

This is the closest (in this decade) anyone's come to delivering on the promise...
The promise of a true comic book super adventure saga.
Whedon really laid all out there IMO and I applaud him.

E.D.

Oh Joss, you are a keeper.
I wanna epic one night stand with his sense of humor!

And the sequel is confirmed for May 1st 2015 with Joss Whedon back on writing and directing duties. Expect this gravy train to keep going until the money stops.

http://www.firstshowing.net/2012/marvels-the-avengers-2-set-to-arrive-may-1st-2015-with-thanos/

Meh. Pretty standard popcorn flick - lotsa action, zero plot. No worse or better than any of the other DC movies out there. Not in the same league as Batman of course but then again I don't think it tried to.