So I have just watching The Avengers. And I shall warn any who read further that there will likely be spoilers ahead. So, if you want to be surprised when you see it, pretend I’m River Song shutting my journal from your prying eyes. I’ve duly warned you. Now, carrying on…
Holy. Frakking. Hell. That. Was. Amazing. I went in expecting fun (It’s Joss Whedon, I wouldn’t expect less). I got one of the best epic blockbuster movies I’ve seen in a long time. Looooong time. I watch a lot of action/adventure/epic/blockbuster-labeled movies. Many of them, like the 2nd Transformers movie, I try to forget having seen at all (although, sadly, nothing short of a lobotomy will erase all memories of that movie). This one… this one I was tempted to turn around and watch again.
There was action, for sure. The final battle with those weird looking turtle-whale-alien hybrid behemoths was epic in its own right. Although it was made more humorous by the command from Captain America for the Hulk to “smash.” Characteristic of many other the things I have seen emerge from the Whedon-verse, the dialogue had wit and spark. Sure, some of it was a little cliche, but it was delivered with sincerity (and in the case of Tony Stark, a smirk). Through it all, you could feel the energy and the fun. The unbridled joy of being able to make a movie like this – a movie that definitely entertains.
I admit, prior to The Avengers, I had only seen the first Iron Man movie. None of the others. I don’t think that was a detriment at all. I was fully able to enjoy the story and follow everything. Hiddleston had the power-hungry, petulant bad guy down pat. And got a well-deserved comeuppance from the Hulk, which made the entire theater laugh.
Watching the screen was joy, and awe, and giddy childlike happiness. Movies don’t do that very often, and it is a welcome sight.
A moment of silence for Agent Coulson. Who was a true believer. I totally did not see that one coming. In the back of my mind, he’s alive in some hospital somewhere. One can hope. The character actors can’t die all the time, can they? I mean, he didn’t even have a red shirt, only an orange glowy gun. I’m mixing my genres, I know. Moving along…
For those that stayed until after the credits – WTF?! The dude seriously looked like Hellboy to me. That would be another epic movie I would jump to see. Honestly, a combination of Guillermo del Toro and Joss Whedon… there are no words for that one.
Edit: OK, so it is probably not Hellboy, and is likely this. I like my version better. Because that would be a mash-up for the ages.
images from wikipedia. but probably copyright of marvel comics and the movie studio.