With Avengers: Infinity War approaching, I decided to take the time to revisit The Avengers from 2012. When I watched this in the theater I recall being in comic geek heaven as I was able to see my favorite comic book superhero team come to life on the big screen The best part of it though, was that I loved it. The action, the humor, and most importantly (thanks to writer/director Joss Whedon) the characters and their interactions with one another was spot on. Since then, I’ve watched the film at home a few times but it was never a close watch. it was just something on and I would watch here and there taking in all of the Avenger goodness I could when I was able to devote some attention. Now, 6 years later, I decided to really sit down and watch the film again, without distraction, to see if it was truly all I remembered it to be and if it still holds up. I’m happy to say that my answer is a resounding yes to both of those.
The Avengers is a film that is the result of a five-film build up and boy was it worth the wait. Critically it’s not a perfect film, but it is perfection in comic book filmmaking as Whedon delivers a product that just oozes with wonderful characters brought to life from the comic book pages, heart, and heroism, and it manages to bring the waterworks every time.
The cast and crew are just fantastic and at this moment in time, Joss Whedon brought out the best of the actors and their characters on film. Chris Evans appears to have been born for his role as the greatest American soldier, Steve Rogers. He has the look and plays the All American soldier who is living out of time part perfectly. Robert Downey Jr. is so fun here as the egocentric Tony Stark with his quick-witted lines which Robert delivers impeccably. Whedon even provides the spark on how Tony and Steve butt heads, which is important as the series goes on. Scarlet Johansson finally got more screen time as the Black Widow and Whedon shows that, though she has no powers, she is no slouch and more than proves her worth. Mark Ruffalo made for a great and mellow Bruce Banner who has managed to distance himself to keep others out of danger but yet finds that he does have some control in keeping his anger (and Hulk) bottled up within him. Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston bring their “A” game as they continue their roles as the battling brothers from Asgard, Thor and “He’s adopted” Loki. Both actors appear to fit their roles to a tee. Chris is better here than in his solo film but Tom is truly great as the evil brother Loki and when he cracks that psychotic grin, it is obvious he owns the role and this is still my favorite villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date. Then there is Jeremy Renner. If there is an actor who got shortchanged it was Jeremy as he spends most of the time under Loki’s hypnotic spell. Luckily though, he comes back in a great way for the battle in New York City and makes up for it as well in the sequel Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Joss’ direction is wonderful as the film is literally a comic book on the screen, as being a comic fan himself he knows what the fans want to see. He knows fans have waited years to see this team together on the big screen, and I’m not talking just from the previous five films. This has been since the 60’s, the 70’s, the 80’s, from whenever the first time someone got into the comic and became a fan, and Joss makes them wait until the final battle in the film to see the team truly work together. Before that happens though, Whedon fills the time with wonderful character interaction and superhero banter, outstanding visuals, and a classic battle between Thor and Hulk that does not disappoint which should make all comic fans smile. All of these build up to what the fans have been waiting for, seeing the team come to life right before their very eyes.
The Avengers joins the ranks of some of the best team building films made, which includes The Dirty Dozen, Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings films. Finding a way for these six individuals to work together to fight a common threat is what the film is about. The film starts off at its lowest in the setup, but from there it is an upward climb of pure enjoyment. The film just gets better and better until it reaches its high point in that stunning third act in New York City. It is in this third act when everything comes together and it is phenomenal. From the direction, the stunt choreography, to the characters, everything is comic book bliss. Then when that moment comes when we get “The Shot” and The Avengers theme from Alan Silvestri rises at the moment, I get the biggest grin on my face along with tears of childhood joy. We finally see the team. All their individual struggles are tossed aside as they stand together to fight the common threat.
THE SHOT
If you were a fan of the comics, this had to have been a moment that made your eyes water as fans finally see the dream alive. That dream of seeing these comic heroes together as one on the big screen. Only a comic fan like Joss could nail this moment, it is true perfection. Acts of heroism and their strengths shine from every hero, from Iron Man setting his ego aside to save everyone, Hawkeye and Natasha using their courage and abilities to fight alongside these super beings while also helping out fellow civilians, to Thor using his lightning and Hulk smashing while fighting side by side, but it’s Captain America whose leadership and heart is on full display. There is a moment where Cap jumps into a building to save some hostages inside and during the fight he is blown out a window by a grenade then lands on a car. As the rescued hostages are helped out of the building, there is the look that one girl gives him that always sticks with me. It is a look of disbelief of what she just saw. Not just in Cap’s physical abilities but for this man’s selfless act of heroism which just gets my heart every time. All of this is topped off when Joss includes a montage of fan support that comes up across some monitor screens after the battle. As the camera scrolls by there are people overjoyed and thankful for what these heroes have done for them and their city. It’s a very touching moment that hits my heart every time.
Joss Whedon truly outdid himself with this work and the film is his greatest achievement to date. There are so many moments I’d love to just throw in here and so many wonderful quotes but instead, I’ll just say go watch the film and enjoy. The Avengers is a comic book film in its purest form making it masterpiece material in the superhero genre. It was my favorite film of 2012 and remains my favorite superhero film to this day.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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