
Oh my how can one even begin about Avengers when it has so
many things to boast about. Well I begin by saying this, that this movie made its
predecessors look like mere trailers. Most of the films leading up to Avengers were
good but not great, with the exception of the Iron Man films and those were
great for two reasons: one, Jon Favereau is a good director, and two Robert
Downey Jr. is a genius, but that goes without saying. Thor and Captain America
were both okay films with potential but they were both extremely rushed and
could have been so much more awesome than what they were in terms of story and
character development. Captain America had what should have been an awesome
villain and the cool style of the 1940s war propaganda films, but it lacked
severely in story. Though Steve Rogers as a character is adorable, that wasn’t
enough to save the movie. Thor had the same problem, the father son aspect and
the two brothers relationships were the best thing about the story, and Asgard
was breathtaking, but they could have done so much more to develop Thor as a
character, they spent a good time on Loki, but I felt Thor had a lot going on
that they didn’t delve into and then the movie just kind of ends. I never saw
the second Hulk film, but the first one done by Ang Lee was horrifically bad.
So needless to say my expectations for this film weren’t all that high. Had
there not been this “urgent” rush to get Avengers out, I expect those other
films could have been at par as they should have been.

The performances were, as cliché as it is to say, pitch
perfect. Each cast member truly became their character and their voices were
distinct and unique in every scene, especially the ones where they clashed. To
watch such an array of outstanding personalities was like lying back in the
grass watching fireworks, you just can’t keep your eyes away wondering which
color is going to come up next. I am a little biased as Robert Downey Jr. is a
favorite actor of mine (if you ever get the privilege to see Chaplin, your jaw
will drop) so his consistent portrayal of the razor-tongued, cocky genius Tony
Stark was as great as ever, but I was impressed by all the others who are
actors I’ve liked but not seen complete potential in until now. Scarlet Johansen did a good job of being
a kick-butt female without being the typical self-righteous B**** most
actresses portray in action roles. Jeremy Renner has a smaller role but is
still a very cool character as Hawkeye, and is just me or does that guy
resemble my beloved Nathan Fillion? Chris Hemsworth is definitely perfect for
Thor looking in every respect like a Norse god. Maybe it’s the thick gold
locks, deep voice or his outstanding delivery of lines, I don’t know. Chris
Evans is often seen as a comedian and he's already done Marvel before, so I
commend him for bringing the pure-hearted soldier Captain to life in a
supremely believable way. And for being the third actor to play the Hulk Mark
Ruffalo added a sweetness and comedic layer to Bruce Banner. Even Samuel L.
Jackson wasn’t his typical role in this film. That is the power of good
storytelling.
The villain is incredibly fascinating and leaves you
wanting more of him, even though you don’t actually want him to win. Tom Hiddleston is
mesmerizing as Loki. In this film, Whedon does a great job of showing both
sides of Loki’s character. He has a sadness, and a sweetness, that you mourn
for, but he’s also the Norse god of mischief and you can see that childish
longing for playing with worlds and people as toys and relishing in the awful
destruction and chaos he creates. He gets that annoying smirk across his face
so perfectly, just as a child would do, when causing trouble. Loki definitely
has an ego too, which literally gets smashed by Hulk in one of the most
hilarious moments of the film. But also like a child, he has a sort of petty
jealousy of his brother, even though its painfully obvious in both the Thor
film and Avengers that his brother and father truly love him and don’t see him
as inferior. You definitely get the hint in Thor that Loki sees himself as
inferior though and has a bitter disdain for his adoption and his root as being
a child of the Frost Giants. My hope is that in the next Avengers film or Thor,
or whenever, but at some point I desire to see a great redemption for Loki.

On the note of S.H.I.E.L.D . I just have to mention that Joss
Whedon ALWAYS kills the innocent, pure of intention characters. Though I can
see how it’s both necessary and realistic, it’s so cruel! I loved Agent Colson
(Phil, haha) of S.H.I.E.L.D. He’s the
one who brought them all together, he is the one who truly believed that each
of them was key in saving and protecting the world. And though his death was
pretty awesome, he went down in style, it was still sad. R.I.P. Agent Colson.
(Wow, I didn’t think I’d have that many acronyms in one short paragraph).
I could rave about this movie for ten blogs. It was a
perfectly woven tapestry of Marvel awesomeness: hilarious as heck, fabulous
actors, great score, a strong theme, and potential for another awesome film in
the future. If you haven’t seen this one, do it. It’s worth seeing at least
twice. 2012, so far so good, lets see if you can keep the awesome going. I have
a long list of films I’m waiting to experience…(Wow, didn't think I could use the word awesome so many times in one short paragraph either. Well, it is Avengers after all!)
I loved your blog Alexis! I'm not a huge fan of comic book movies like Tyler is, but I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, and I've seen it three times! haha the last time was a little much, I'll admit. Can't wait for your blog on Hunger Games! :)
ReplyDelete-Chelsey
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ReplyDeleteOkay, first of all I have say oh my gosh, yes! To your comment about Hawkeye looking like Nathan Fillion! I was thinking something like that too! I thought he looked like someone who would be in Firefly, and he has that Nathan look! Our minds are melding again, because everything you said in this blog I think exactly the same! Haha. Everything you pointed out about the characters, the actors' portrayal, Black Widow's not typical overbearing female role (She actually has personality! Imagine that!), and Loki's role is precisely true. Every character was strong, even the minor ones, and I always say that your heroes are only as good as your villain, so this is excellent storytelling all around. One of my favorite things (besides everything else) was the friendships of Steve/Tony/Bruce. I thought it was so cute and hilarious how Tony and Bruce hit it off right away, and how Tony was being all teasing to him. Then of course how Tony and Steve come to respect eachother in the end. The bromance! ;)
I like what you pointed out about Loki's character too. Somehow there is this sweetness to him despite his twisted desires and irrational jealousy. I totally want a redemption for him as well, if they do it right. It can't be typical because of how deeply twisted he is and how adamantly he refuses any outstretched hand. As I said, he reminds me a lot of Severus Snape, in his younger years. Snape's pettiness and intense desires that twist him for a time. Then his jealousy/hate of James Potter! Also Snape's relationship with Dumbledore is a lot like Loki's relationship with Odin. Loki desires the approval and love of Odin, and Snape was very loyal to Dumbledore too. Yet, Dumbledore and Odin make the same mistake, I think. Things happened differently with Snape, of course, since this was long after Snape had been out of the Deatheaters, but like Dumbledore, Odin has that approach of making decisions with people's lives or situations for the good, but he kind of doesn't pay attention how that will effect the people! He adopts Loki thinking he could reunite their people, but he doesn't even consider how a boy would feel after growing up thinking he is an Asgardian, loving and sharing the same dreams as his brother, only to discover he is a Frost Giant, Asgard's enemey! So, I think if they do have a redemption for Loki, there is going to have to be a reconciliation between Loki and Odin. We will see what they do, though. Haha.
Anyway, excellent post! I think we are going to be seeing it again, since our Mom wants to see it too. Hehe.
I saw it last night, and IT. WAS. AMAZING. I must say I was VERY impressed and I'm anticipating a sequel. Also, I cannot WAIT for The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spiderman.
ReplyDeleteI so agree!! LOVED this movie!! :-) and RDj as ironman is my fave. can't wait till the second one some awesome day......
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