"The Avengers" Review

"The Avengers" Review

10/10

2012
A Joss Whedon Film
Protagonist(s): Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Samuel Leroy Jackson, Clark Gregg
Antagonist(s): Tom Hiddleston
Run-time: 2 hours 23 minutes

During the search for Captain America at the end of WWII, Howard Stark recovered the 'cube' which had been the basis for the Red Skull's super weapons and the US government has attempted to study it since then. When Thor returned to Asgard, S.H.I.E.L.D. got a scientist with some insight into the technology. But Thor's adopted brother has allied himself with an alien force and is set on conquering Earth, and steals the 'cube'.

This film is incredibly complex in the integration of so many talents, mistrust and egos, and the mind corrupting ability of the antagonist.Explosions and fisticuffs occur regularly, interspersed with witty zingers and remarks.

It is not stricly necessary to see the preceeding five films, but it might help with understanding some of the details.

Towards the end of the film it becomes clear that none of the X-Men, Fantastic Four, Spider-Man or Daredevil exist in this universe, as such characters would not be able to stay out of the scuffle in the middle of New York.

I recommend this film for an evening of action-packed entertainment.