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In preparation for Avengers: Infinity War, I’m watching all the Marvel Studios movies leading up to it.
Avengers (2012)
It’s interesting to think about how much of an experiment this was when it came out. Would it work to bring all these heroes together? Would it be a weird mish-mash. It still holds up. It’s a simple plot, which I think helps. I’d forgotten how much time is spent with the team fighting each other, in traditional superhero team-up style. But it was more fun than the later battle in Civil War, because we knew they’d be friends at the end.
I’d forgotten how much Black Widow comes alive in this movie. And how great the dialogue is. I mean, I saw this over a dozen times, probably, between the theatrical release and subsequent viewings, but it’s been at least five years since I’ve watched it. I’d forgotten some of the details of the little moments and how well done they are. And, unlike Age of Ultron, they largely avoided the feeling that you’re watching a bunch of CGI characters do stuff, which I really liked. I wish we got a bit more of that in later films.
If I have two complaints about Avengers, it’s Cap’s unfortunate costume (and actually, it’s MOSTLY just his helmet. But the first movie costume was so great, and subsequent ones too. This one just suffers a lot in comparison. AND, while the battle with the Chitauri (huge armored space whales!) is kept fun and exciting, I feel like it started a wave of similar fights against mindless minions that can all be defeated by stopping one central hub. It’s annoying, and it’s a HUGE design flaw in an advanced alien army.
But those are fairly minor points. Thor looks SO much better without bleached eyebrows. Ruffalo finally gives us a great screen Bruce Banner. And Loki is a great, great villain. Man, this really reminded me of just how great a movie this is. Roll on Phase 2!
