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Contributing Writer
Expectations are a funny thing. Low expectations can often leave you pleasantly surprised, but come with little risk. High expectations are the hardest to overcome, and have doomed far too many anticipated movies in the past.
Such is the dilemma for a movie like The Avengers. It opens with some of the highest expectations in recent memory—the first movie of its kind, chock-full of some of the most recognizable comic book characters in history.
"And there came a day, a day unlike any other..." and those with worries saying this movie might not live up to those lofty expectations, they can now can rest easy as The Avengers is a triumph unlike anything ever seen before. With expertly-crafted action sequences and just the right infusion of humor, The Avengers is the successful culmination of many years of build-up and introductory films. With this movie always being the endgame, it’s actually quite amazing that it was able to do anything outside of falling flat on its face.
Co-writer/director Joss Whedon lays it all out simply enough. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the rest of his S.H.I.E.L.D. cohorts are no match for disgraced Asgardian Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his approaching invasion army. Knowing this, Fury assembles a dysfunctional group of heroes including: Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) to fight alongside the master assassins of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) against the evil God of Mischief.
What ensues just so happens to be some of the greatest superhero work ever done on the big screen. While Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise attempts to put its hero in a realistic noir-like setting, The Avengers completely embraces its comic roots, embracing all of the humor, absurdity and excitement a team-up usually produces as a comic book.
As these heroes naturally begin to work together—growing in spite of their numerous faults—we as viewers are left smiling at every turn. Another witty quip by Tony Stark? Yes, please. The Hulk bashing Loki into the ground like a rag doll? Of course! This movie understands and completely embraces what makes superheroes so great in the first place...they’re downright fun.
Is the movie not without its faults? Sure, maybe the pacing is a little off at times and slow to build to its tremendous conclusion but that’s minor nitpicking in the anticipation of watching all of these heroes fight on-screen. For the most part, the film is a deliriously enjoyable two-and-a-half hours.
The only truly bad thing about The Avengers might be its inevitable sequels are doomed to disappoint. The bar has been raised to such a point for the series—and for all comic book movies really—one wonders how much is left to offer to audiences.
Then again, just goes back to expectations. If there's any group who might be able to shatter even the loftiest of expectations, the Earth's Mightiest Heroes might be that group.
Expectations are a funny thing. Low expectations can often leave you pleasantly surprised, but come with little risk. High expectations are the hardest to overcome, and have doomed far too many anticipated movies in the past.
Such is the dilemma for a movie like The Avengers. It opens with some of the highest expectations in recent memory—the first movie of its kind, chock-full of some of the most recognizable comic book characters in history.
"And there came a day, a day unlike any other..." and those with worries saying this movie might not live up to those lofty expectations, they can now can rest easy as The Avengers is a triumph unlike anything ever seen before. With expertly-crafted action sequences and just the right infusion of humor, The Avengers is the successful culmination of many years of build-up and introductory films. With this movie always being the endgame, it’s actually quite amazing that it was able to do anything outside of falling flat on its face.
Co-writer/director Joss Whedon lays it all out simply enough. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and the rest of his S.H.I.E.L.D. cohorts are no match for disgraced Asgardian Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his approaching invasion army. Knowing this, Fury assembles a dysfunctional group of heroes including: Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) to fight alongside the master assassins of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) against the evil God of Mischief.
What ensues just so happens to be some of the greatest superhero work ever done on the big screen. While Christopher Nolan's Batman franchise attempts to put its hero in a realistic noir-like setting, The Avengers completely embraces its comic roots, embracing all of the humor, absurdity and excitement a team-up usually produces as a comic book.
As these heroes naturally begin to work together—growing in spite of their numerous faults—we as viewers are left smiling at every turn. Another witty quip by Tony Stark? Yes, please. The Hulk bashing Loki into the ground like a rag doll? Of course! This movie understands and completely embraces what makes superheroes so great in the first place...they’re downright fun.
Is the movie not without its faults? Sure, maybe the pacing is a little off at times and slow to build to its tremendous conclusion but that’s minor nitpicking in the anticipation of watching all of these heroes fight on-screen. For the most part, the film is a deliriously enjoyable two-and-a-half hours.
The only truly bad thing about The Avengers might be its inevitable sequels are doomed to disappoint. The bar has been raised to such a point for the series—and for all comic book movies really—one wonders how much is left to offer to audiences.
Then again, just goes back to expectations. If there's any group who might be able to shatter even the loftiest of expectations, the Earth's Mightiest Heroes might be that group.
