After a 2 month hiatus due to the SUNY Ulster Production of "The Importance of Being Earnest" (The most fun I have ever had), the end of the Spring Semester, and other things, I am back. In my brief hours of free time, I was able to see a few movies but did not have time to review them. I will give you a quick rating on them:
The Lorax: B-
John Carter: C+
21 Jump Street: A-
The Hunger Games: B+
Wrath of The Titans: C+
The Three Stooges: B
The Cabin in the Woods: A-
Now on to the big picture. Literally.
I have been a comic book fan since before I could talk, and a movie fan since I was a fetus. The times when the two meet together are things that I look forward to for years on end. Given the unique premise and development behind The Avengers, it goes without saying that I have been giddy with anticipation. The amount of hype for this film gave me expectations that one would believe completely out of reach. However, Joss Whedon is not only able to meet those expectations, but also hurdled 4 feet above them by crafting not only the greatest comic book movie ever made, but one of the greatest cinematic experiences I have ever had in my life.
The Avengers picks up where the Marvel Solo movies left off. Loki comes to Earth in order to seize the Tesseract and assert control over the planet. Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. assembles a team of superheroes to save the Earth from extraterrestrial subjagation.
The film answers questions from the previous films, and gives an equal amount of screentime to all the heroes, giving both character development and conflict between the super egos that are assembled for the first time as a group. One can imagine how the script would lean towards giving Robert Downey Jr. the film as his own to create "Iron Man and Friends", but luckily Whedon is smarter than that. While Downey does dominate the screen when he is present, his ego does not overplay anyone elses character. The emotion that results when Joss does exactly what he is known for, is a pivotal point that finally blends the characters together into a team. It feels like you are truly watching a comic book, while at the same time experiencing a film that corresponds to almost every genre you can think of. Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth share a certain level of comradery that makes you realize that Captain America and Thor should be working together much more often.
Back in 2003, Marvel asked specific permission of Samuel L. Jackson to use his likeness for a new version of Nick Fury in the comic books. He agreed. The fact that he plays the character is no accident, and thankfully a great gift. The anger, wit, and dominion that Samuel L. Jackson is known for, and is often criticized for doing so often, is present in this film as well. Yet, it works to his advantage in this case and asserts his control over the largest peacekeeping organization in the world.
There is not a single bad performance in this film. However, there is one person who stands above the rest. And that person.... is Mark Ruffalo. Like most people, I was angry when the news broke that Edward Norton would not be reprising his role as Bruce Banner. The lack of continuity between films is something that I usually hate. However, the anger quickly dispells once you see Ruffalo's performance. Mark brings a level of empathy and calmness that has not been brought to the character since the days of Bill Bixby. His quick tongue and emotional range is something that has been missing from the temper ridden/whining loner interpretations seen from Eric Bana and Norton. You feel a sense of intelligence and repressed anger that leaves you wondering if he is ever going to go green. The level of control that Banner has over his emotions is a drastic improvement that makes you realize that the Hulk is not just a emotionally displaced monster, he's just a normal human with a unique ability.
For the first time ever, the same actor who plays Bruce Banner also plays The Hulk. Thanks to the motion capture technology developed for the movie Avatar, Mark Ruffalo actually plays the Hulk (with Lou Ferrigno once again providing the voice of course). You can see his face in the performance, something that makes him so much more real. While the Hulk's actions are often played for humorous reasons, it is impossible not to laugh. When he is fully unleashed, the badassery of the character is apparent to the level that you find yourself leaning back in the chair when he roars.
The special effects are vibrant and at the same time, grounded in reality. The aliens in the film hold a visual quality that take a generic race of creatures and turn them into a terrifying spectacle of advanced technology and extraterrestrial individuality. The visual dynamics of the Helicarrier are breathtaking and beyond imagination. When it lifts out of the water for the first time, your jaw will drop and your mind will tell you "Wow. This is happening".
See this film. See it twice. See it twice on the same day, then go see it again. It is that good. It is a roller coaster ride that starts with the production logos and doesn't stop until the end credits are finished. *(HINT) STAY AFTER THE CREDITS, ALL THE WAY, NOT JUST THE MIDDLE. You will not be dissappointed in the slightest.
A+
