Director: Joss Whedon
Talent: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans.
Release Date: April 26th 2012
One of the most talked about superhero movies is finally here and boy does it deliver. With the entire original cast back and multiple protagonist ace director Joss Whedon at the helm, Avengers Assemble is the epitome of comic book lore meets sharp wit and devastating action.
Whedon’s crafting of an action sequence is mesmerizing – he knows exactly when to unleash hell and more importantly when to bring it back to the character based elements of the story that have made the comics so successful. Everyone brings their A game (in every sense of the word) in particular newcomer Mark Ruffalo (the only Avenger not to have had any previous screen time) whose performance as Banner really taps into the reserved, charming nature of the original character.
Hemsworth (Thor), Downey Jr. (Iron Man), and Evans (Captain America) are as captivating and as charismatic as ever. Their initial encounter with each other is a thunderstorm of steely performances captioned (phew all three puns achieved) by a stunning action sequence and offset with some lovely humour.
A special mention must also be given to Jackson (Fury), Johansson (Black Widow) and Renner (Hawkeye) whose respective SHIELD characters all manage to not only stand apart from the main four but really provide a solid storyline of their own. This is predominantly thanks to Whedon – a man well versed in creating space and depth for every character – who gives attention at first only individually to each which later pay offs wonderfully with the eventual, dare I say, assembling of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Back in action also is Hiddleston (Loki), who just like in Thor, steals the show as the personification of Tom-foolery and evil, wrapped up in his deliciously distinctive image of eloquence and captivating presence.
To top it all off the effects in this movie are unparalleled – particularly in their manifestation of the green machine himself, who’s mighty but darkly toned threatening power is really felt throughout the movie – but also in the sheer monstrous nature of the action sequences.
The script is solid. The action sequences mesmerizing. And the Avengers well……..all present and accounted for.
Words: Joseph Orr
