My review of Avengers:
In 2012, when you get a movie with 3-6 superheroes (there seems to be a lack of consensus on whether or not Hawkeye, Black Widow, and The Hulk are considered), it better have brilliant special effects and be wall-to-wall eye candy. And it is.
But the plot...ugh. It wasn't really offensive so much as it just wasn't there. To start off, it should have been called "Thor II" instead of "The Avengers." It's weakly centered around a battle between Thor and Loki, and as in Thor I, this doesn't really work. Partly because both of these are weak characters, but mostly because Loki is not a legitimate villain. He is more of a trickster and has no purpose in mind other than causing very expensive and inhumane mischief. The other superheroes, although nice to look at, feel more like auxiliaries especially with no real villain in sight.
The movie made it seem like they could have captured Loki so many times but didn't just so they could drag out more fight scenes. The good vs. bad fights were spectacular and, at times, could reclassify this movie as comedy. On the other hand, the fights and bicker scenes between our heroes were pointless and we don't get the sense that they're legitimately working together, even at the end, so much as we get the sense that the director just wants us to give us colorful fight scenes.
Which, speaking of, do not disappoint. It's hard not to smile when a massive green block starts throwing bad guys around, or when Captain America in spandex stops monstercraft with his discus-type shield. Comedic timing is especially skillful for an action movie. For those in the know (which is most of the audience) this movie cleverly finds ways to pays homage to many of the comic book greats.
It's just too bad that this is wasted on a plot like this -- it could have been something great, on every level, rather than simply being good for looks & laughs.
Rating: B
