Marvel's The Avengers, Worth Every Penny

Comics Movie Reviews
Marvel's The Avengers, Worth Every Penny
By Patrick Oliver
May 2, 2012 - 17:42

Studios: DW Films, Marvel Enterprises, Marvel Studios
Writer(s): Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Zak Penn, Joss Whedon
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Cobie Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Rener, Mark Rufalo, Tom Hiddleston, Clark Gregg, Lou Ferrigno
Directed by: Joss Whedon
Produced by: Kevin Feige
Running Time: 142 mins
Release Date: 4th May 2012
Rating: PG13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned)
Distributors: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Superhero Movie

Just as I couldn't imagine anybody but Charon ferrying souls across the river Styx, there is no way I can now imagine anybody but Joss Whedon having brought the Avengers movie (Avengers Assemble in the UK) to the big screen.

I watched the movie tonight after a series of fortunate events. I went with some work friends and sat in a full movie theatre. The atmosphere was good natured and friendly. Once the film started there were a few whoops and yells, but not too many thankfully. We wanted to be able to enjoy it properly after-all.

Now I'm not going to go into details - as this is a quick review to give you my initial impressions - but I will say this movie was very well acted, had lots of action (of course) and great one-liners (they'll be popping into your head again on the journey home). There is, as you would expect from a Joss Whedon movie, great character interaction, introspection and dialogue. And the man knows how to shoot action. This is a film that rattles along at a wonderful pace without feeling at all rushed. We are allowed to really enjoy what unfolds on-screen. All the characters are handled well. Even the smaller roles have good character development and get a chance to shine.

When we left the cinema we were all smiling. I looked around at the crowd emerging from the theatre and everyone else was laughing and smiling and chatting (some animatedly) happily about what we'd just seen. My workmates and I all agreed that it was a fun movie and that we'd enjoyed it immensely. For me, personally, it exceeded my expectations. Oh, and definitely stay until after the credits you won't regret it.

Joss Whedon and the gang have put together a fantastically entertaining movie. It had a budget of $220 million and it has already surpassed that at the box office. Whedon has the option to do a sequel. I really hope he takes it up.

Rating: 9.5/10