Let’s just take as given that anyone who is reading my blog has not been either sudden transported here from another time or has spent the last four years in a coma, awaking now with powers beyond that of mortal men.
The past weekend’s recording opening (200.3 million domestic Box office, a new record until Avengers 2) movie The Avengers, ties together five movies released over the last four years, Iron Man & Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, (not The Hulk by Ang Lee)Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger. Each film has a post-credit sequence, called a button in Hollywierd, that hinted at the coming gathering of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, a promise now fulfilled by fan favorite Joss Whedon.
Joss Whedon rose to command heights in the geek pantheon by bring us ensemble shows of cutting comedy, devilish dialog, and amazing action, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse. What these shows have in common is that hey are power ensembles, with each and every character a fleshed out person and this skill set is what would be most needed by Joss on The Avengers.
Each of the Avengers has had a movie in their own right, carrying a film on the strength of their character and his personal drama. Mixing all of them together risks short changing someone, and having the Avengers become in effect Iron Man 3, or Thor 2, or Captain America 2. (Not as much a danger with Hulk, as that film performed the least at the Box Office and switching star players further reduced the characters scene stealing potential.)
I’m happy to report that Joss handled the script writing and directing with true skill and talent. This is a team movie, each player having a moment to shine and yet always supporting and furthering the group story. The secondary Avengers, that is once who have never had their own films, Black Widow and Hawkeye, weren’t marginalized either.
It is no spoiler to say that the Earth faces a dire threat from Thor’s adopted brother Loki, a threat that had grown so large only an assembly of such mighty heroes might defeat Loki. This starts with Loki suddenly and, for spy super agency S.H.I.E.L.D., disastrously appears on Earth. The film starts with action, and continues to deliver action, interspersed with wonderful character and dialog moments, for the next two hours an twenty three minutes. (I, quite wisely, skipped all beverages while watching the movie; you might want to do the same.) The final fight, in Manhattan of course, is epic in scope and furiously fast.
There are two buttons after story is wrapped up, on that occurs during the credit sequence and once in the traditional location at the completion of the credits, stay for both. If you go expect long line, this film is popular, already nearly 1 billion dollars world wide box office. I heartily recommend this movie if you enjoyed the five films building up to it.