Good, but not that good.

Rating: 7/10 (14 May 2012)

I have to say I was skeptical from the start. Combining superheroes in one movie never works. Typically they result in cornball cliché's, bad acting, and plot holes you can drive a truck through. I'm pleased that Avengers has solid humor, acting was only a little uneven and there were but a few "what...??" moments. (e.g. we have a futuristic ship, but no one notices the arrow-bomb, or bad guys on board? Since when can the hulk be tamed?)
But like other reviewers have said, the bar wasn't raised. There's nothing new in this movie. I felt mostly detached from all the characters, I felt nothing when whats-his-face died. He had so little screen time, there was no emotional connection. I think I felt most connected to Banner, there was at least some character development, and a reluctance to do what he was asked.
Like all super hero movies, there's big fights, indestructible warriors, evil villains and lots of things going boom. Besides combining all these superheroes in a decent movie nothing really stood out as 'exceptional'. My biggest complaint is they all seem indestructible. When Thor is hurling towards the ground, was anyone worried he wouldn't get out, or if he did crash that he wouldn't survive? No. The entire movie is that way. There is no true suspense, no truly tense moments. You know how it will end before the movie starts.
On the contrary, Batman develops a solid story and while Batman is set in a fictitious realm, it seems more believable. I did like The Avengers, and look forward to seeing it again, but I don't feel it is deserving of such a high ranking on IMDb. I have higher hopes for The Dark Night Rises and Prometheus.