Blockbuster tosh from mega nerd Whedon...

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2012)

****SMALL SPOILERS**** I'm simplifying, but only a little bit.
This guy - on track record - should not be able to make films like this.
He seems to fly in the face of convention - a man who appears to have an absolute passion for comic book nonsense, yet still comes up with twists of character AND manages to squeeze several massive egos (in terms of character and I dare say actors) onto the same film AND ALSO gets Disney to pony up a mega budget to do so.
This just does not happen.
And just to give two fingers to movie execs and critics alike - it is well written, chock full of jaw dropping set pieces and well acted.
Please note some of the best performances are from people in tin suits and glittery Halloween costumes. That's how good it is.
It makes you suspend your disbelief and get drawn in to a very strong parallel to modern politics - who exactly are the 'villians' anyway? - whilst managing to keep cringing moments of sentiment - see any Michael Bay flick - pretty much at arms length.
Most notable are moments of the Whedon trade mark - from Firefly in particular - where he totally goes against viewer expectations with regard to conflict outcomes.
Loki vs the Hulk is particularly brilliant on that front.
It's a big movie. It's completely over the top comic book action and a small miracle it is as good as it is.
My only gripe would be a few cheesy lines and the old US cliché of 'English accent = skinny villain' thing, but this is one hell of an action movie and a pretty good film in it's own right.
AND I don't even worship Marvel stuff. Horay for fat nerds everywhere.