Marvel's The Avengers: EPIC Movie Review
The superhero concept is an important American invention, and writer Paula Matthews offers a review of Marvel's The Avengers as she reflects on the real heroes who have the courage to give their lives in midst of eminent danger.
Content
Marvel’s The Avengers Movie Review
Film Review by Paula Matthews for EPIC Books and Café
Marvel’s The Avengers
Director Joss Whedon Story Zak Penn Joss Whedon Screenplay Joss Whedon
Marvel’s The Avengers is a magnificent team of superheroes that includes Iron Man, The
Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye and Black Widow. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Tom Hiddleston; with Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson. When Thor (Hemsworth)’s evil maniacal brother Loki (Hiddleston) threatens to destroy the world, Nick Fury (Jackson) Director of the global peacekeeping organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D, recruits a superhero team to save the world.
Rated PG-13
For Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action Throughout, and a Mild Drug Reference
Reviewer’s Rating
3 out of 5 Stars
REVIEWER’S NOTES
Marvel’s The Avengers opened this weekend in theatres across the US. This reviewer caught a matinee on opening day and left
the theatre with mixed thoughts and emotions about this much-anticipated film. On a positive note, the superheroes looked good together on screen. It was worth the price of admission just to see these icons take on the world’s most evil villain. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as Tony Stark (Iron Man) was stunning as usual. All the actors performed well, but there is something gratifying about seeing a female kick butt on the big screen and Scarlett Johansson filled the bill. Her role in Marvel’s The Avengers rivals the fierceness of Hawk Girl from DC Comic’s The Justice League (Black Widow has a sleeker costume). The big surprise was Mark Ruffalo who portrayed Dr. Bruce Banner (Hulk) not as dark and brooding; but as a manic depressive scientist whose Hulk is prone to attack both friend and foe alike. His performance worked well in this film and Banner’s green fits of rage provided intermittent moments of comic relief from the prolific war and destruction scenes. A big disappointment was the film’s sluggish start and boring dialog. Theater patrons went from anticipation to slouching in seats, while some fell asleep and snored. There was such an extensive period with no action and uninteresting dialog that this reviewer had to fight the temptation to leave the theater and get a cup of coffee just to stay awake during the first half of the film. The beginning of the film spent too much time showcasing the recruitment of the superheroes. It may have been a better choice to open the film with the team already assembled with flashbacks showing how they were selected and occasional flashbacks showing each character’s personal issues and conflicts they previously had with each other. To make matters worse, the characters were confused as to why they had been recruited and began fighting amongst themselves. In this reviewer’s opinion, this was a major waste of film and talent. It took several scenes before the mission of Marvel’s The Avengers was clearly defined for both the characters and the audience. Things picked up when the war started on screen; and then the destruction was massive. Which leads to the BIG negative about this film. In wake of the current 911 Court Trials, it seemed highly inappropriate for this film to depict such excessive destruction on New York City. There was one scene of people fleeing on the streets as rubble fell behind them, a reminder of the 911 horrors. It was also very odd that Stark Industries moved from its California location to NYC; and when the ground war began with the attempt to destroy the world, it began at Stark Tower, which was most prominent in the New York skyline much as the Twin Towers had been. It was then that the film became quite eerie and too reminiscent of 911. Even as the superheroes stood together to fight in the ruins of NYC, this reviewer thought back to 911 and the fact that we had no men or women with supernatural powers to stop the attacks that shook our nation and took the lives of 5,000 souls that day. The actors in this film will hang up their costumes and get handsomely paid for their performances; but on 911, the real superheroes were the ordinary men and women who had real courage and paid with their lives. This film earned 3 out of 5 stars because of its insensitivity to those who lost their lives on 911, the families they left behind, and all those in America and around the world who are not entertained by excessive and unnecessary violence, whether it is in real life or on the big screen. Click Here to Watch Trailer and for Free Poster Downloads ©2012 EPIC Books and Café All Rights Reserved
Film Review by Paula Matthews for EPIC Books and Café
Marvel’s The Avengers
Director Joss Whedon Story Zak Penn Joss Whedon Screenplay Joss Whedon
Marvel’s The Avengers is a magnificent team of superheroes that includes Iron Man, The
Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye and Black Widow. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Tom Hiddleston; with Stellan Skarsgard and Samuel L. Jackson. When Thor (Hemsworth)’s evil maniacal brother Loki (Hiddleston) threatens to destroy the world, Nick Fury (Jackson) Director of the global peacekeeping organization known as S.H.I.E.L.D, recruits a superhero team to save the world.
Rated PG-13
For Intense Sequences of Sci-Fi Violence and Action Throughout, and a Mild Drug Reference
Reviewer’s Rating
3 out of 5 Stars
REVIEWER’S NOTES
Marvel’s The Avengers opened this weekend in theatres across the US. This reviewer caught a matinee on opening day and left
the theatre with mixed thoughts and emotions about this much-anticipated film. On a positive note, the superheroes looked good together on screen. It was worth the price of admission just to see these icons take on the world’s most evil villain. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as Tony Stark (Iron Man) was stunning as usual. All the actors performed well, but there is something gratifying about seeing a female kick butt on the big screen and Scarlett Johansson filled the bill. Her role in Marvel’s The Avengers rivals the fierceness of Hawk Girl from DC Comic’s The Justice League (Black Widow has a sleeker costume). The big surprise was Mark Ruffalo who portrayed Dr. Bruce Banner (Hulk) not as dark and brooding; but as a manic depressive scientist whose Hulk is prone to attack both friend and foe alike. His performance worked well in this film and Banner’s green fits of rage provided intermittent moments of comic relief from the prolific war and destruction scenes. A big disappointment was the film’s sluggish start and boring dialog. Theater patrons went from anticipation to slouching in seats, while some fell asleep and snored. There was such an extensive period with no action and uninteresting dialog that this reviewer had to fight the temptation to leave the theater and get a cup of coffee just to stay awake during the first half of the film. The beginning of the film spent too much time showcasing the recruitment of the superheroes. It may have been a better choice to open the film with the team already assembled with flashbacks showing how they were selected and occasional flashbacks showing each character’s personal issues and conflicts they previously had with each other. To make matters worse, the characters were confused as to why they had been recruited and began fighting amongst themselves. In this reviewer’s opinion, this was a major waste of film and talent. It took several scenes before the mission of Marvel’s The Avengers was clearly defined for both the characters and the audience. Things picked up when the war started on screen; and then the destruction was massive. Which leads to the BIG negative about this film. In wake of the current 911 Court Trials, it seemed highly inappropriate for this film to depict such excessive destruction on New York City. There was one scene of people fleeing on the streets as rubble fell behind them, a reminder of the 911 horrors. It was also very odd that Stark Industries moved from its California location to NYC; and when the ground war began with the attempt to destroy the world, it began at Stark Tower, which was most prominent in the New York skyline much as the Twin Towers had been. It was then that the film became quite eerie and too reminiscent of 911. Even as the superheroes stood together to fight in the ruins of NYC, this reviewer thought back to 911 and the fact that we had no men or women with supernatural powers to stop the attacks that shook our nation and took the lives of 5,000 souls that day. The actors in this film will hang up their costumes and get handsomely paid for their performances; but on 911, the real superheroes were the ordinary men and women who had real courage and paid with their lives. This film earned 3 out of 5 stars because of its insensitivity to those who lost their lives on 911, the families they left behind, and all those in America and around the world who are not entertained by excessive and unnecessary violence, whether it is in real life or on the big screen. Click Here to Watch Trailer and for Free Poster Downloads ©2012 EPIC Books and Café All Rights Reserved
