****1/2 (out of 5)
Writer: Joss Mothertrucking Whedon
Director: Joss Mothertrucking Whedon
Starring: Everybody
Holy crap. Where does one start? This film has been lauded by many, dismissed by a vocal few. It’s shredding box office records and hasn’t slowed down. My affection for Avengers comic books, Norse myth, and Joss Whedon make being objective a major challenge, but I will try. The four and a half stars out of five are part of this attempt but who am I kidding? I really like this movie.
First off, let’s get something out of the way right now, shall we? Plot? Here’s your plot: bad guy and generic aliens vs good guys and stuff blows up and stuff. Featuring the MacGuffin, I mean, tesseract thingy. The thin plot is the main target of those who criticize the film. It doesn’t spend too much time explaining anything. What all does this tesseract thingy do? No-one seems to know. Does that matter? I don’t think so. Here it’s just an excuse to get the team together, no time for exposition. Thank goodness. Anyone recall the midichlorians scene in The Phantom Menace? Thank you Joss Whedon for sparing us. Let’s spend more time with the characters rather than hitting predictable plot points.
The end relies on a deus ex machina trope and I couldn’t believe it when I first saw it. The mechanized bio-aliens all just fall down a la The Phantom Menace? Wow, just wow. I have made my peace with it, deciding it’s not annoying enough to ruin anything for me.
The pace is a bit uneven at the beginning with the introduction of the numerous characters. The film jumps from scene to scene in the beginning before settling into a steady rhythm. I did find this a tad annoying upon my first viewing but also didn’t feel well. I did think that those who haven’t seen the lead up films or who need a lot of hand holding would get lost. However, I didn’t find it was problematic at all upon my second viewing.
After some consideration I have no problem with the simple plot, nor with the pacing. I believe these were conscious choices on Whedon’s part.
If you don’t know Joss Whedon, prior to this film he was known as being excellent at many things, including writing for an ensemble cast, writing strong characters, writing smart, writing witty. All of these talents are on display here. More importantly, NOTHING is without purpose in a Whedon production. A seemingly throwaway line in Season Two of one of his TV shows might be referred to as an emotional touch point in Season Four. He builds coherent, complex worlds.
That being said this movie is about two things:
1) Characters – Every. Single. One. Of. Them.
2) Fun – action, fighting, witty banter, people so beautiful that they don’t look ridiculous in star-spangly spandex I’m looking at you Captain America. A lot. Not sorry.
1) Three SHIELD agents. Six Avengers. One bad guy. Nearly all of them have a 1:1 interaction with each other. All of the interactions make sense within their context, provide insight into or raise intriguing questions about their character, and vary widely in tone and intent. It’s done so smoothly it takes more than one viewing to truly appreciate this feat. This is good, no, exceptional writing.
For critics who deride the lack of plot and the generic nature of the aliens, how could the plot be more intricate and still provide time for the characters to be highlighted in this way? Maybe there was a way, but I don’t see it. Pacing a bit abrupt at the beginning? At least four characters are established prior to the title sequence, at least four more within the next 20 minutes. That’s not counting fully fleshed out secondary characters like Tony Stark’s girlfriend Pepper Potts. After this, everything advances and never stops.
Every main character is provided with multiple showcases. Many reviews rhapsodize that everyone gets a chance to shine, and this cannot be overstated. This is accomplished through various pairings and groupings. None of these feel forced to me, although some critics disagree, especially when it comes to the heroes’ intra-fighting.
Special mention must be made of three characters: Black Widow, Loki, and the Hulk. This cannot be fully accomplished in a spoiler-free review but cannot be neglected.
Black Widow. Multiple essays on her portrayal in this film have already been written. Much has been made that 40% of the audience for this ‘male teen’ demographic movie is adult women. The charms of the men aside, women are enjoying the fiercely intelligent portrayal of Black Widow. While sexy and lovely, her appearance is remarked upon a handful of times, and is never the most important thing about her. Her brain is, and it is refreshing. I would love to go into further depth but the fear of spoiling anything prevents me. Suffice it to say that it is majorly unwise to mess with Black Widow. Scarlett Johanssen is to be commended on her performance, it was revelatory to me, and a solo movie would be most welcome.
Loki. Whedon says when he took the job Marvel told him some things were non-negotiable, one of them being that Loki had to be the main villain. Why? Dunno. While vastly underpowered compared to his mythic and comics counterpart he’s no less of an enigma. And in true Loki form, divisive. Will he ever reconcile with Thor? Who knows, but here their relationship gives another reason for characters to interact and have unique perspectives, which adds to the movie. The way Tom Hiddleston has played him, with a palpable sadness and insecurity underneath the visciousness and anger, adds to Loki’s complexity. Much more to say here, many questions, but can’t without spoilers.
Some critics say he’s too weak to be a real threat and is a detriment to the film. None of the major fight sequences involve him except for one that cannot be discussed here. Others say he’s the psychological glue that holds the whole thing together, functioning as a mirror through which the other characters are reflected, and dividing them like a prism.
I think it’s both to a degree, but I’m biased in that he’s fascinated me in all his incarnations, and I like how Whedon uses ‘movie version’ Loki here. An enormously overpowering villain would not have had so many interactions with so many characters. S/he would have been separated from the heroes until the inevitable big showdown at the end. Things are turned topsy turvy here. It doesn’t help that Tom Hiddleston is incapable of giving a simplistic, one-note performance. For a few critics he is over-theatrical, for most he is brilliant in the role. I’m in the latter camp. Much more I could say here, many questions to ask, but not without spoilers. Attend to Agent Coulson’s conversation with Loki, is one thing I’ll say. And Hulk’s (yep).
Bruce Banner/The Hulk. I’ve seen most of the Ed Norton version, Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk. It was OK. There was something about the old Bixby shows that was more gripping, even with the laughable special effects. What is recaptured here is a sympathetic Banner, and a properly used Hulk.
Bruce Banner. Mark Ruffalo said he watched the Bixby version with his 10-year-old son, and that his son’s reactions drove his performance. While Norton played up the tortured, tragic angle to Banner, Ruffalo took a cue from Bixby and softened it with a wry resignation and devotion to helping others. We may feel sorry for Norton’s Banner, but we feel affection for Ruffalo’s. An important distinction.
The Hulk. I cannot fully explain the terror and joy of the Hulk without going into spoilers. The Hulk is used correctly in a film for the first time. A complete wonder to behold. There are no words for it. The fact that two Hulk scenes have been leaving audiences convulsing in laughter, and not at Hulk’s expense, is right and good. Would Ruffalo’s Hulk work in a solo film? Dunno but I’d love to see the attempt.
A final thought about the characters. No-one is a one-dimensional type, these are all flawed people doing their best, people we want to root for. Everyone has chemistry with everyone, calling to mind the espirit de corps of 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope, another film with a thin plot but great characters and heart. I believe the huge box office is not just about the spectacle, but about this.
2) I may be blinded by the fun. Rarely have action sequences been so awesome as the last half hour or so of this movie. Among the several reasons for this is that Whedon eschews the current fashion for close-up, quick-cut action shots where you can’t tell what the heck is going on. Thank goodness we can see what’s happening. Another reason? Not only do the various characters have dialogue scenes together, they have various action scenes together. Sometimes with heroes fighting against each other. When they finally come together as a team, it’s wonderful. And lastly: the Hulk. Yes sir!
Also fun? The spectacular dialogue. Whedon knows how and just as importantly, *when* to bring the funny. It never feels forced. It’s not just stand-up comedy night with Tony Stark, either. And it’s all true to character. Whedon’s just as good conveying pathos, grandiosity, you name it. His script brings it.
Some critics say this is a film devoid of depth. Is this Chekov? Duh. Lawrence of Arabia? No. [WHAT??!! if this movie added a young Omar Sharif and Peter O’Toole I can barely deal as it is moving on]. Back to the subject, I do think there are layers for those who look for them. Whedon has his faults but outright simplicity isn’t one of them.
Also fun? I’m sorry but it must be said. Again. There are way too many attractive people in this movie. Everyone acting all smart or sweet or snarky or sassy. Everyone finding excuses to show off their assets. Whedon knows what men and women find attractive and he socks it to us. The only thing missing is everyone wears too many clothes. I don’t care, this is all truth and I defy anyone to contradict me.
The acting? These are pro’s, they all own their roles. No weak links thank goodness. They ARE their characters. I could outline all the major characters and their roles in the film and how the actors all rock but it would get repetitive. It’s all perfection. You know what? Screw it. Let’s give people their due.
Tony Stark/Iron Man: I will buy tickets to RDJ playing RDJ as long as he keeps playing RDJ. He’s polarizing, some can’t stand his constant snark, but I believe most think he’s compelling and hilarious.
My mother gets huffy if I don’t mention Robert Downey Jr. enough, so Mom. He was his most awesome self. So smart and funny, great interplay with the other characters, looking like a boss. There you go.
Steve Rogers/Captain America: I thought Chris Evans had the least flashy role and did an excellent job with it. He was the straight man to everyone else and did it well. I grew in my respect for Cap’s character through Evans’ performance.
Director Nick Fury: I dug SLJ here. He had the gravitas befitting of the long black coat he borrowed from The Matrix’s Morpheus. Will he ever recapture his Pulp Fiction passion? Dunno, but I liked him here.
Agent Maria Hill: Cobie Smulders was fine, barking out orders in a convincing manner, Canadian accent and all. Didn’t really see enough to judge either way. Her character stood out because it was the least developed.
Clint Barton/Hawkeye: Didn’t find Jeremy Renner the least bit attractive prior to seeing the movie. Thought he was hot afterwards. That’s some acting. Seriously though, he made some subtle choices in his performance that surprised me, and I could see why Renner was nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Hurt Locker.
Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow: Terrific! Loved Scarlett Johansen’s performance, she showed a lot of range. Was convincing in the action scenes, and perhaps even more so in her dialogue scenes. Major props.
Bruce Banner/The Hulk: Mark Ruffalo needs a solo Hulk movie now. His Banner was so Bixby-ish, and he played the Hulk too using motion capture technology. There are certain moments I just love in the movie, and most involve Banner or the Hulk. Even his unassuming Banner steals scenes. Cannot heap enough praise on his performance.
Thor: I can’t see Chris Hemsworth as anyone else, he IS Thor. His line delivery has the needed ring of aurhority, in battle he looks fierce, but when he pleads with Loki to come home you feel Thor’s pain and confusion. Dunno what it will be like to see him as the Huntsman in the upcoming Snow White movie.
Loki: Tom Hiddleston can show a dozen emotions in a single glance. If Marvel wanted Loki to be a complex, tortured soul of a villain they got the perfect actor for it. Like RDJ’s Iron Man, though, he’s polarizing. Most critics think he’s riveting in the role but there are those who don’t see what the fuss is about. I’m with the former.
Agent Phil Coulson: I love this character, and the credit for that goes to Clark Gregg. His impeccable timing and droll delivery are priceless.
The score? Better the second time, grew on me. Cinematography? Bright. A little jarring considering how dark most movies are nowadays, but fine. You’re supposed to leave happy. Special effects? I’m not picky about that, worked for me.
This isn’t a movie with something big to say about how geo-socio-political life is dirty and heroes are nearly fatally flawed or that stupid pretty people run around and stuff goes boom. Batman owns the former, Michael Bay the latter, and their films are awesome in ways the Avengers isn’t. Vive la difference. This movie is about how when people put their differences aside and work together, it brings out the best in them. And that’s awesome.
Film Sloth 