Seven years ago, Marvel Studios CEO Avi Arad made millions of comic book connoisseurs’ and superhero fanatics’ dreams come true when he announced plans to develop an Avengers film. Fast forward seven years, two Iron Man films, a Captain America film and a Thor film later, and here we are. The Avengers movie - titillatingly titled Avengers Assemble on this side of the Atlantic - is out now. And it does not disappoint. Make no mistake; this is a comic book film through and through.
The Avengers, for anyone who isn’t aware of the moniker, are basically a superhero collective, comprised of superheroes with super-egos who join together to fight the bad guys, save the world and as the film suggests at one point, are quite partial to a taste of shawarma (kebabs to us Brits) on occasion.
The film brings Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Junior), Steve Rodgers aka Captain America (Chris Evans), Bruce Banner aka Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor aka well, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), together for the first time on the big screen. Along with S.H.I.E.L.D agents Black Widow (Scarlett Johannson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), the collective are brought together to fight against returning exiled villain from the Thor universe, Loki (Tom Hiddleston).
So what of the actual experience itself then? Well, without indulging expletives, I will say it is the best superhero film this side of Chris Nolan’s albeit strikingly different Batman series. Every character shines, from Downey Junior’s effortlessly witty and wisecracking Tony Stark, to Hemsworth’s otherworldly yet admirably moral Thor.
Characterisation has always been director Joss Whedon’s strong point, and every character brings their distinct, varying personalities and egos into the mix with often hilarious consequences. Without ruining why, the Hulk steals almost every scene he shares, which is quite the achievement considering the Hulk franchise has seen three different actors play the role in the past decade.
The exuberant group dynamic is a pleasure to watch, and the film provides more genuine laughs than most of the comedies I’ve had the misfortune of seeing in recent years. In addition, Hiddleston’s Loki is both unsettlingly evil and mesmerising, providing quite the sizeable villain for The Avengers, especially in the last third of the movie where his army of alien nuisance-bringers, the ‘Chitauri’ turn up.
The film of course is a beautiful one, and the final third in New York is a spectacle to behold. The CGI bar has been raised once again (I’d imagine much to the dismay of ‘Transfomers-in-the-sea’ featuring Rihanna), and the nostalgic tint given to the film oozes personality and confidence. It’s about the biggest effects spectacle you’re going to see without having to wait for James Cameron to stop messing around at the bottom of the ocean and start producing a sequel to Avatar.
All in all then, Avengers Assemble is every bit as epic as fans feared it wouldn’t be, or it deserved to be. Sure, the plot isn’t anything revolutionary but it doesn’t need to be. Even if you’re fed up of the ‘conflicted superhero + menacing bad guy = lots of serious face and fighting’ formula, I’d still have no worries in suggesting Avengers Assemble to you. It feels fresh, it’s funny and it’s a marvel (excuse the pun) to watch. Bring on the inevitable sequel.
Rating: 5/5 (and stay ‘til the end of the credits)