Avengers

[DKT]

Okay, who's seen it?

I'm probably not going to be able to make it to the theaters for another week or two, and it's killing me. I am wearing my Marvel Comics Secret Wars shirt in solidarity, though!

Anyway - love to hear what those of you who've seen it thought.

[stePH]

Going Monday evening, as I need to use my Groupon for Cinetopia before the 10th. Will probably have to watch it in 3D as I can't make any of the regular showings at a reasonable hour that night.

At this time I've seen both Iron Man movies as well as Captain America and Thor; and I've got The Incredible Hulk waiting for pickup at the library; I'll watch it tomorrow night and I'll be up to speed 

[DKT]

I'm wondering if I'll try and get my wife to watch Captain America before we go (she hasn't seen it - I have). I think we're going to watch Thor tonight. (Neither of us have seen it.)

IM2 I'll probably check out, though I'm pretty sure my wife will pass on it.

[eytanz]

My fiancée really wants to see it but I've been making her wait because I really prefer not to see movies in 3D and the 2D version doesn't start here until next week.

[Bdoomed]

My fiancée really wants to see it but I've been making her wait because I really prefer not to see movies in 3D and the 2D version doesn't start here until next week.

this.

[Ocicat]

I just saw it tonight (in wonderful 2D) and thought it was great!  I'm a big Avengers fan from way back when I was a kid, and are still reading the comics today, plus of course I'm a Joss Weddon fan, so I'm pretty much the core base for this film.

But ya.  Surprisingly engaging action scenes (I think many of the prior marvel films failed on this point), good character bits, and overall a good time.  My three year old nephew was also enthralled, for what it's worth.

As for prior films, this draws quite a lot from Thor, so that along with Iron Man 1 would be my primary recommendation for pre-viewing.  Captain America sets up the macguffin as well as introducing Cap.  Black Widow is introduced in IM2, but you really don't need that at all for Avengers - she's much better handled here than she was there.  And IM2 was pretty skippable over-all.  I failed to see the last Hulk movie, but as it had a different actor playing Banner, I'm guessing it doesn't set up much that pays off in Avengers.  But the actor they did have was quite good I thought, as was the build-up to Hulk's appearance.

[DKT]

My fiancée really wants to see it but I've been making her wait because I really prefer not to see movies in 3D and the 2D version doesn't start here until next week.

Yeah, I'm not a big fan of 3D either. Definitely not at those prices.

And thanks for the previewing recs, Ocicat! We're definitely gonna watch Thor.

How much shaky cam is there? It makes my wife very sick. I don't remember a lot of shaky cam in Whedon's other things, but nothing else he's done has been this scale either.

[Ocicat]

There is some during the fight scenes, but not too bad.  Either that or I'm finally becoming accustomed to it...

[kibitzer]

I really, really hate hyping stuff to others but ZOMG IT'S LIKE THE BEST!!! Seriously, I went with 5 friends and we all loved it. Do yourself a favour, Dave, and see it ASAP before you hear much more about it. Yes, take the missus and yes, she should see Cap before-hand. Obviously that's not necessary but it's a damn good film in its own right and gives a great insight into Cap's character, which they play up in Avengers.

The Nolan Batman films have to be my fave superhero films of all time, but Avengers -- a very close second.

[Devoted135]

Saw it yesterday in 2D and LOVED it! 11 of us from three very different friend groups all saw it and everyone was raving afterward. I thought that each character was given a good story arc, the action was spot-on, and of course there was plenty of witty dialog.

I agree with the others that IM1, Thor, and Captain America are the really "must-see" movies for backstory/insight into character. Also, the shaky cam was confined to the major action scenes so it didn't bother me at all. (I had a real with it in the Hunger Games movie.)

[DKT]

Well, my wife opted out of seeing it, so my dad and I checked out yesterday.

Wow, you guys. That movie was AWFUL!





Just kidding!  It was everything a Marvel Comic Book movie should be. The characters were flawed yet heroic (and all of them were well-rounded). And I loved how Whedon let the Marvel freak flag high. Right from the onset, the characters are talking about crazy shit in OUTER SPACE! And Whedon ratcheted the story and tension up so perfectly. I loved how the characters were rubbing each other the wrong way through so much of the movie, but then came together in the end. Hulk surprised me quite a bit - he's never been one of my favorites, but he had some amazing scenes in this movie. But everyone had so much cool stuff to do - Captain America had some great moments, and I'm so happy they've continued to get him right.

I have to give Whedon full credit - I wasn't sure he could pull this movie off, but he totally did, and I hope he's able to make whatever movies he wants for the rest of his life. I will check them out.

I did end up watching Thor before (which was alright - probably would've been better if I'd been watching it on a big screen) but I'm glad I saw it. Still haven't seen IM2. Will check that out and some point. And...probably try and rewatch Cap again.

[Bdoomed]

I thought it was okay... fun to watch, but so many little stupid things that were useless/not explained/not believable even for a superhero movie (hulk suddenly being able to control himself?)

also this http://www.cracked.com/article_19841_if-avengers-was-10-times-shorter-100-times-more-honest.html

[Swamp]

I loved it!  I think it delivered everything that the previous films had promised, and then some.  Each character was developed; and I was engaed the whole time.  The very best so far from the Marvel movies.  I enjoyed each character and thought the mix was grand.  I've said before that these movies have made the Avengers cooler than they ever were in the comics, though I have been a fan of each of these characters in their own comics.  I did like the Hulk and I think Mark Rufalo did a great job as Banner, however, I did pine for Ed Norton as Banner throughout the film.  Where is that Impossible Dreams movie store?

You cannot compare Avengers vs. Dark Knight (though many may try).  They are two completely different films in mood, drive, and what the results they are thrying to acheive.  Yes they are both superhero movies and yes they both intend to entertain, but their substance is cut from a different canvas (and I don't mean Marvel vs. DC though that marginally plays into it).  It's like trying to compare Stan Lee and Frank Miller.  They are both masters, but how do you compare them?

Joss Whedon was the perfect choice for this.

[Swamp]

I thought it was okay... fun to watch, but so many little stupid things that were useless/not explained/not believable even for a superhero movie (hulk suddenly being able to control himself?)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I will say that this was a bit of a head scratcher.  The "I'm always angry" approach is a really cool solution to the Hulk/Banner dilema, but it came from left field and does not explain why he lost control previously (other than "the plot demanded it").  But I was so amazingly entertained, I can overlook this part.

[DKT]

I loved it!  I think it delivered everything that the previous films had promised, and then some.  Each character was developed; and I was engaed the whole time.  The very best so far from the Marvel movies.  I enjoyed each character and thought the mix was grand.  I've said before that these movies have made the Avengers cooler than they ever were in the comics, though I have been a fan of each of these characters in their own comics.  I did like the Hulk and I think Mark Rufalo did a great job as Banner, however, I did pine for Ed Norton as Banner throughout the film.  Where is that Impossible Dreams movie store?

You cannot compare Avengers vs. Dark Knight (though many may try).  They are two completely different films in mood, drive, and what the results they are thrying to acheive.  Yes they are both superhero movies and yes they both intend to entertain, but their substance is cut from a different canvas (and I don't mean Marvel vs. DC though that marginally plays into it).  It's like trying to compare Stan Lee and Frank Miller.  They are both masters, but how do you compare them?

Joss Whedon was the perfect choice for this.

I wouldn't have minded seeing Norton as Hulk, either - I was one of those people who was really annoyed when he was essentially fired. It would've been cool to see Norton go toe-to-toe with RDJ (as well as the others). That said, Rufalo was great, and I didn't miss Norton the way I thought I would.

I definitely agree about all the weird Avengers vs. Dark Knight Rises things. I'm kind of like, eh - Dark Knight was AWESOME. Now that I've seen Avengers, I think it was pretty Mighty too. I think it's great that there are some really amazing superhero movies that feel completely different.

I thought it was okay... fun to watch, but so many little stupid things that were useless/not explained/not believable even for a superhero movie (hulk suddenly being able to control himself?)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I will say that this was a bit of a head scratcher.  The "I'm always angry" approach is a really cool solution to the Hulk/Banner dilema, but it came from left field and does not explain why he lost control previously (other than "the plot demanded it").  But I was so amazingly entertained, I can overlook this part.

I can't click through the link right now, but a possible explanation might be that in one case, Banner was blindsided/attacked, lost his control, and thus saw only RED. In the other case, Banner made the decision, tapped into his anger of his own volition, and thus was able to control it better. (Agreed that it could've all been explained better.)

[BlueLu]

also this http://www.cracked.com/article_19841_if-avengers-was-10-times-shorter-100-times-more-honest.html

Okay, I loved the movie, but that was hilarious.

[Talia]

I thought it was okay... fun to watch, but so many little stupid things that were useless/not explained/not believable even for a superhero movie (hulk suddenly being able to control himself?)

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I will say that this was a bit of a head scratcher.  The "I'm always angry" approach is a really cool solution to the Hulk/Banner dilema, but it came from left field and does not explain why he lost control previously (other than "the plot demanded it").  But I was so amazingly entertained, I can overlook this part.

I would argue that the first time, his "loss of control" was involuntary and he didn't, at that moment, have a specific target.

The second time, it was on purpose, and he DID have specific targets at which to channel his rage.

It made sense to me, or at least I found I could justify it that way.

I loved this movie so much.

[Scattercat]

Canonically (or at least intermittently within canon), the Hulk has been less a binary and more a sliding scale.  That is, the angrier Banner is beforehand, the more powerful and also the less controlled the Hulk is when unleashed.  Plus, in the initial scene, he was pissed off at SHIELD and was under Loki's influence.  (Remember him randomly picking up the scepter without realizing it?  Basically Loki's plan actually worked pretty much like he wanted it to, except the Hulk didn't manage to kill everyone because they're player characters.)

[eytanz]

Basically Loki's plan actually worked pretty much like he wanted it to, except the Hulk didn't manage to kill everyone because they're player characters.)

Which really speaks to how Loki was a rather ineffectual villain in the movie. Basically, every time in the movie he tried to manipulate events, he succeeded exactly as planned. But he still didn't actually achieve anything he wanted, because he consistently underestimated his opponents. He's a god of trickery, and the Avengers never ever manage to prevent his tricks, they just wait until he's done being all fancy and then just win with a show of force.

The entire movie is basically a long version of the sword vs. gun scene from Raiders of the Lost Arc.

[Ocicat]

Arguably, Loki did win.  Just what were his objectives, anyway?

Here's a fun article on the subject: Why Loki Won in the Avengers

[eytanz]

That's a pretty nice bit of speculation - would be very cool if it will prove out to be correct.