V Review: 5 Reasons The Avengers Is the Greatest Superhero Movie Ever
So let’s get right to it. Marvel’s The Avengers nails it. It now stands as the most deliberate (and best) superhero movie ever brought to the big screen. It’s on-the-edge-of-my-seat-I-can’t-believe-they-pulled-it-off exciting. It’s hardcore Marvel. It’s not afraid to reach the heights of eye-winking humor and even at times just plain silliness. And it’s damn cool. The masterful direction, courtesy of Joss Whedon, is stripped-down when needed and action packed. The Avengers, based on the long-running ‘60s comic, simply works. Brief synopsis: The banished, evil, power hungry and emotionally-damaged Loki (Tom Hiddleston)—the mystical half-brother of future Avengers member Thor—is in payback mode after being banished from his world of Asgard. He has strong disdain for his heroic, hammer-wielding Thunder God sibling, but even more loathing hate for the human race. Loki decides to put an end to the world with a little help from an alien army ready for destruction (“The humans, what can they do but burn?”).
So what do you do when you are faced with such a heart-wrenching threat? You gather together Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (yeah, I know…so sue me). Or rather the head of the highly secretive S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate) Nick Fury—played with much two-fisted attitude by the omnipresent Samuel L. Jackson—gathers the troops. Avengers roll call: Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr .); Captain America (Chris Evans); the aforementioned Thor (Chris Hemsworth); Hulk (Mark Ruffalo); Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Loki has all the power because 1) he’s a cunning, brilliantly diabolical bastard and 2) he has taken the uber powerful Cosmic Cube, the ultimate energy source that can do major damage.
From there we get Avengers-style dysfunctional infighting; a fan approved dream smack down between Iron Man-Thor-Hulk-Cap; and some bad-ass lines courtesy of a cantankerous, patch-eyed Fury. There’s also some pretty strong special effects on a smartly handled budget (The Avengers’ price tag came in at $218 million, a discount when compared to this summer’s other Marvel-based blockbuster—the $258 million Spiderman reboot); and an alien-raining battle over Manhattan that will make even the most jaded action movie head stand up and applaud with a shit-eating grin. The culmination of a successful string of Marvel Studios’ bankrolled films featuring Iron Man, Captain America and Thor was worth the wait. Of course, there are more reasons why The Avengers stands as the greatest comic book flip of all-time (where does the epic Batman vehicle Dark Knight stand? Hmmmm…). Read on, true believers.—Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29)
So what do you do when you are faced with such a heart-wrenching threat? You gather together Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (yeah, I know…so sue me). Or rather the head of the highly secretive S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate) Nick Fury—played with much two-fisted attitude by the omnipresent Samuel L. Jackson—gathers the troops. Avengers roll call: Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr .); Captain America (Chris Evans); the aforementioned Thor (Chris Hemsworth); Hulk (Mark Ruffalo); Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Loki has all the power because 1) he’s a cunning, brilliantly diabolical bastard and 2) he has taken the uber powerful Cosmic Cube, the ultimate energy source that can do major damage.
From there we get Avengers-style dysfunctional infighting; a fan approved dream smack down between Iron Man-Thor-Hulk-Cap; and some bad-ass lines courtesy of a cantankerous, patch-eyed Fury. There’s also some pretty strong special effects on a smartly handled budget (The Avengers’ price tag came in at $218 million, a discount when compared to this summer’s other Marvel-based blockbuster—the $258 million Spiderman reboot); and an alien-raining battle over Manhattan that will make even the most jaded action movie head stand up and applaud with a shit-eating grin. The culmination of a successful string of Marvel Studios’ bankrolled films featuring Iron Man, Captain America and Thor was worth the wait. Of course, there are more reasons why The Avengers stands as the greatest comic book flip of all-time (where does the epic Batman vehicle Dark Knight stand? Hmmmm…). Read on, true believers.—Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29)
5. It’s The Purest Comic Book Adaptation
So now that we are handing out G.O.A.T. titles, here’s how The Avengers stacks up against some of the other good-to-exceptional superhero films over the years.
Top 7 Superhero Flicks
7. Blade (1998) and X2 (2003)—Tie
6. Batman (1989)
5. Iron Man (2008)
4. Superman II (1980)
3. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
1. The Avengers (2012)
A few observations about the list before we address the Gotham City vigilante in the room. Blade remains the most underrated film of the superhero genre (For classic, second-tier Marvel characters like Dr. Strange, Power Man & Iron Fist and the Black Panther, all rumored to be in big-screen treatment, it’s the film to study). Tim Burton’s groundbreaking Batman delivered on the opening hype. X2 made up for the utter blandness of the first X-Men film while the smile-inducing Iron Man literally launched Marvel’s aspirations to become its own movie studio, effectively cutting out the meddling middlemen who made 2005’s pedestrian Fantastic Four such a lame afterthought. Super Man II and Spider-Man 2 (both formerly at the top of the comic book-to-film food chain) showed exactly how to handle first-class global icons without taking the characters too seriously. And then there’s The Dark Knight.
What’s that you say? The Avengers couldn’t possibly be in the same weight class as the universally lauded Batman Begins sequel. Indeed, bold visionary Christopher Nolan totally reinvented the superhero movie genre. He took it to Godfather levels. This was grown-folks biz…an ominous, hardboiled, tortured Caped Crusader steeped in unforgiving violence of this world. And oh yeah, the late Heath Ledger who played the Joker posthumously won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his genius take on the deranged, clown-faced sickco—quite possibly the greatest comic book villain ever imagined. Batman Begins is timeless high art. (*Note: Yep. I will be first in line to witness The Dark Knight Rises, the final installment of this grandiose Batman trilogy).
But we are not talking about award-winning filmmaking steeped in realism here. This is about comic books. And when it comes to presenting the over-the-top fantasy we all grew up reading as kids, The Avengers wins. It’s fun, cheesy, relentless, hilarious, effortlessly action-packed and gloriously old school in a throwback Raiders of The Lost Ark sort of way. All the things we expect from men and women parading around in tights and masks.
So now that we are handing out G.O.A.T. titles, here’s how The Avengers stacks up against some of the other good-to-exceptional superhero films over the years.
Top 7 Superhero Flicks
7. Blade (1998) and X2 (2003)—Tie
6. Batman (1989)
5. Iron Man (2008)
4. Superman II (1980)
3. Spider-Man 2 (2004)
2. The Dark Knight (2008)
1. The Avengers (2012)
A few observations about the list before we address the Gotham City vigilante in the room. Blade remains the most underrated film of the superhero genre (For classic, second-tier Marvel characters like Dr. Strange, Power Man & Iron Fist and the Black Panther, all rumored to be in big-screen treatment, it’s the film to study). Tim Burton’s groundbreaking Batman delivered on the opening hype. X2 made up for the utter blandness of the first X-Men film while the smile-inducing Iron Man literally launched Marvel’s aspirations to become its own movie studio, effectively cutting out the meddling middlemen who made 2005’s pedestrian Fantastic Four such a lame afterthought. Super Man II and Spider-Man 2 (both formerly at the top of the comic book-to-film food chain) showed exactly how to handle first-class global icons without taking the characters too seriously. And then there’s The Dark Knight.
What’s that you say? The Avengers couldn’t possibly be in the same weight class as the universally lauded Batman Begins sequel. Indeed, bold visionary Christopher Nolan totally reinvented the superhero movie genre. He took it to Godfather levels. This was grown-folks biz…an ominous, hardboiled, tortured Caped Crusader steeped in unforgiving violence of this world. And oh yeah, the late Heath Ledger who played the Joker posthumously won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his genius take on the deranged, clown-faced sickco—quite possibly the greatest comic book villain ever imagined. Batman Begins is timeless high art. (*Note: Yep. I will be first in line to witness The Dark Knight Rises, the final installment of this grandiose Batman trilogy).
But we are not talking about award-winning filmmaking steeped in realism here. This is about comic books. And when it comes to presenting the over-the-top fantasy we all grew up reading as kids, The Avengers wins. It’s fun, cheesy, relentless, hilarious, effortlessly action-packed and gloriously old school in a throwback Raiders of The Lost Ark sort of way. All the things we expect from men and women parading around in tights and masks.
4. The Avengers Stands As A True Ensemble Piece
It’s almost impossible to take such a premise seriously in movie form, even in the realm of make believe. A gamma-ray created green monster with anger issues; a blond demigod who swings an enchanted hammer; an all-too earnest patriotic super soldier who had previously been frozen in a block of ice since World War II; and a cocky, playboy, billionaire genius wearing an ass-kicking, repulsor ray shooting suit of armor and crew going toe-to-toe with evil aliens? Not only do you walk out of the theater believing the whole damn thing, you also buy into these characters as three-dimensional men and women who can’t stand to be in the same room together, but are brought together by extraordinary circumstances. Iron Man is the glue guy…the point guard, which makes sense given Robert Downey Jr.’s almost uncanny portrayal of Tony Starks in his two previous solo films. The human element of old bucket head pompously dismissing Thor and his diabolical brother as extras straight out of “Shakespeare in the park” is hilarious and real.
Ruffalo’s Hulk (more on his effortlessly delivered Dr. David Banner) is a beast in the best and worst sense of the word. Their leader Captain America is not even sure he belongs, or is needed, in today’s Twitter world. And the group’s two reformed assassins, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are played with dark complexity by Johansson and Renner. They are aware that they’re no “heroes”. The pair are killers and are really out of their league fighting the likes of Loki. Yet, they utilize their particular skill-sets out of respect for the moment and their teammates, even down to their mastery of mind games (peep Black Widow’s unlikely conning of an actual God…kinda slick). How about Wasp and Hank Pym for the sequel? And Loki…we will get to him later.
It’s almost impossible to take such a premise seriously in movie form, even in the realm of make believe. A gamma-ray created green monster with anger issues; a blond demigod who swings an enchanted hammer; an all-too earnest patriotic super soldier who had previously been frozen in a block of ice since World War II; and a cocky, playboy, billionaire genius wearing an ass-kicking, repulsor ray shooting suit of armor and crew going toe-to-toe with evil aliens? Not only do you walk out of the theater believing the whole damn thing, you also buy into these characters as three-dimensional men and women who can’t stand to be in the same room together, but are brought together by extraordinary circumstances. Iron Man is the glue guy…the point guard, which makes sense given Robert Downey Jr.’s almost uncanny portrayal of Tony Starks in his two previous solo films. The human element of old bucket head pompously dismissing Thor and his diabolical brother as extras straight out of “Shakespeare in the park” is hilarious and real.
Ruffalo’s Hulk (more on his effortlessly delivered Dr. David Banner) is a beast in the best and worst sense of the word. Their leader Captain America is not even sure he belongs, or is needed, in today’s Twitter world. And the group’s two reformed assassins, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are played with dark complexity by Johansson and Renner. They are aware that they’re no “heroes”. The pair are killers and are really out of their league fighting the likes of Loki. Yet, they utilize their particular skill-sets out of respect for the moment and their teammates, even down to their mastery of mind games (peep Black Widow’s unlikely conning of an actual God…kinda slick). How about Wasp and Hank Pym for the sequel? And Loki…we will get to him later.
3. Hulk Smash
He’s this film’s secret weapon. Yet, the one question that hovered over the production of The Avengers is would the house that Stan Lee built finally get the Hulk right? There was too much angst throughout Ang Lee’s interesting interpretation of Hulk (2003). And fan favorite Ed Norton’s The Incredible Hulk (2008) presented a clearer and more confident vision, but CGI often times made the big green guy resemble a video game. Which is why Ruffalo’s motion capture performance as the Hulk is the star of the show. The technology made classic by Lord of the Rings’ Gollum allowed the actor to control every move and expression of the Hulk. He growls. He kicks much ass. And he smiles. No, really. And when he teams up with Thor to beat down some space baddies he does just what you want the Hulk to do. It’s a moment that will have you screaming in Marvel bliss. As for Ruffalo’s Banner, he’s just as impressive. We are not talking about the typical tortured doctor struggling to find a cure for his monstrous affliction. This Banner has learned to embrace his anger. He respects the monster, but understands the price of letting him out. It’s a nuanced take on a beloved character that can’t get a crack at a third solo opportunity soon enough.
He’s this film’s secret weapon. Yet, the one question that hovered over the production of The Avengers is would the house that Stan Lee built finally get the Hulk right? There was too much angst throughout Ang Lee’s interesting interpretation of Hulk (2003). And fan favorite Ed Norton’s The Incredible Hulk (2008) presented a clearer and more confident vision, but CGI often times made the big green guy resemble a video game. Which is why Ruffalo’s motion capture performance as the Hulk is the star of the show. The technology made classic by Lord of the Rings’ Gollum allowed the actor to control every move and expression of the Hulk. He growls. He kicks much ass. And he smiles. No, really. And when he teams up with Thor to beat down some space baddies he does just what you want the Hulk to do. It’s a moment that will have you screaming in Marvel bliss. As for Ruffalo’s Banner, he’s just as impressive. We are not talking about the typical tortured doctor struggling to find a cure for his monstrous affliction. This Banner has learned to embrace his anger. He respects the monster, but understands the price of letting him out. It’s a nuanced take on a beloved character that can’t get a crack at a third solo opportunity soon enough.
2. Joss Whedon Shows And Prove
The Avengers should have been a disaster. For starters, director Joss Whedon was said to be in over-his-head. Yes, he will forever be a fan boy favorite for his ambitious television take on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But if you were to believe the powerful Ain’t It Cool crowd, Whedon wasn’t ready to handle Marvel’s most important make-or-break property. Well, that was a massive L. Whedon pulls off a miracle as both writer and director. His gift for unforced dialogue and punchy banter is on full display. Whedon manages to mesh a motley crew of superheroes together by giving each character a voice. Beyond a slow-paced early scene, he goes straight for the jugular. The action builds and builds, but stays steady, never going for those lazy look-at-me moments. It’s expert genre filmmaking that never takes itself too seriously. Buffy who?
The Avengers should have been a disaster. For starters, director Joss Whedon was said to be in over-his-head. Yes, he will forever be a fan boy favorite for his ambitious television take on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But if you were to believe the powerful Ain’t It Cool crowd, Whedon wasn’t ready to handle Marvel’s most important make-or-break property. Well, that was a massive L. Whedon pulls off a miracle as both writer and director. His gift for unforced dialogue and punchy banter is on full display. Whedon manages to mesh a motley crew of superheroes together by giving each character a voice. Beyond a slow-paced early scene, he goes straight for the jugular. The action builds and builds, but stays steady, never going for those lazy look-at-me moments. It’s expert genre filmmaking that never takes itself too seriously. Buffy who?
1.The Avengers Respects The Marvel Universe…And Its Fans
This is how you piss off Marvel fans. You turn its most powerful, notorious, and feared villain Doctor Doom into the tin man (again, let’s get that Fantastic 4 reboot going; and while you at it, motion capture the Thing). Take all the creepy horror out of Ghost Rider (2007, 2011). Totally fumble Wolverine’s long-awaited solo debut (2009) with shitty, amateurish writing. Screw up a decent 2003 Daredevil script by miscasting the pivotal role of Matt Murdock’s killer (literally) love interest Elektra—Jennifer Garner…really? And let’s not even talk about those sterile Punisher films (2004, 2008).
Bold Spiderman director Sam Raimi astutely followed one key rule: if you are going to make a Marvel-based film, do it right. Hit a home run by casting the swaggering Downy as the perfect Tony Stark. Make sure all the primetime Avengers—Thor, Cap, and Hulk—keep their comic book character traits intact. Sneak in a Marvel fan-boy/girl favorite at the end of the credits (trust us, don’t leave the theater early). And make sure Loki is…Loki. It’s been said many times, but it’s true. A superhero film is only as good as its villain. And Tom Hiddleston as Loki nails it. He makes you root against him and at times secretly cheer him on by his sheer charisma and belief in character. Throw in Samuel L’s bombastic Nick Fury and the lovable S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), who is so enamored by Captain America that he asks the celebrated hero to sign his trading cards, and you have a film that’s wide-eyed and faithful to the Marvel spirit. And so far, the fans agree. The Avengers, just from its overseas take, is on pace to gross a ridiculous $400 million by Monday of next week. Beyond Nolan’s peerless take on Batman, DC Comics should watch and learn. Word to Green Lantern.
This is how you piss off Marvel fans. You turn its most powerful, notorious, and feared villain Doctor Doom into the tin man (again, let’s get that Fantastic 4 reboot going; and while you at it, motion capture the Thing). Take all the creepy horror out of Ghost Rider (2007, 2011). Totally fumble Wolverine’s long-awaited solo debut (2009) with shitty, amateurish writing. Screw up a decent 2003 Daredevil script by miscasting the pivotal role of Matt Murdock’s killer (literally) love interest Elektra—Jennifer Garner…really? And let’s not even talk about those sterile Punisher films (2004, 2008).
Bold Spiderman director Sam Raimi astutely followed one key rule: if you are going to make a Marvel-based film, do it right. Hit a home run by casting the swaggering Downy as the perfect Tony Stark. Make sure all the primetime Avengers—Thor, Cap, and Hulk—keep their comic book character traits intact. Sneak in a Marvel fan-boy/girl favorite at the end of the credits (trust us, don’t leave the theater early). And make sure Loki is…Loki. It’s been said many times, but it’s true. A superhero film is only as good as its villain. And Tom Hiddleston as Loki nails it. He makes you root against him and at times secretly cheer him on by his sheer charisma and belief in character. Throw in Samuel L’s bombastic Nick Fury and the lovable S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), who is so enamored by Captain America that he asks the celebrated hero to sign his trading cards, and you have a film that’s wide-eyed and faithful to the Marvel spirit. And so far, the fans agree. The Avengers, just from its overseas take, is on pace to gross a ridiculous $400 million by Monday of next week. Beyond Nolan’s peerless take on Batman, DC Comics should watch and learn. Word to Green Lantern.
