Slow in parts, but a great addition to the Marvel lexicon

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2012)

In one of the most highly-anticipated action films (or movies of ANY genre, to be honest) in years, Marvel Sudios, in conjunction with Paramount Pictures, has produced another super hero winner, making the total worth more than the sum of its parts.
Simply put, "The Avengers," a Justice League knock-off (that first appeared in comic books in 1963), is actually better than most of the films which featured the members of the team (Iron Man, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America and Hawkeye) - with the possible exception of the first "Iron Man."
The Eric Bana version of "The Hulk" flopped in 2003, but was revived somewhat with Edward Norton in the role in 2008 "Thor," released last year, was a decent picture, but "Captain America" faltered because of a weak second half (and the fact he needed so much assistance to battle Red Skull).
Original graphic novel characters Wasp and Ant-Man were omitted in this scene version.
Here, as recruited by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), a member of S.H.I.E.L.D. (the Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate), a global peacekeeping organization, the group is brought together after Thor's brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) escapes from Asgard and is bent on ruling the earth.
He arrives via the Tesseract, a small cube capable of either providing all the energy the planet will ever need, or destroying life as we know it. Armed with his spear (which can literally change men's hearts), he captures S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner, "The Hurt Locker," "The Town") and Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard, "Thor"), and forces them to set up the energy source.
This will supposedly open the portal between worlds and allow an army of destructive alien allies to support his world conquest dreams. Hold on, though. While certainly powerful and god-like, Loki has incurred not only the wrath of his adopted brother (Chris Hemsworth, "Cabin In the Woods"), but the smarmy Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr., "Sherlock Holmes"), as well.
Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans, "Captain America") and Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo, Academy Award nominated for "The Kids Are All Right") soon join the fight. All of these characters have some kind of machine-based, godly or genetically-mutated super power. Hawkeye and Natasha Romanoff/The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson, "We Bought a Zoo") are just athletically-gifted spies/assassins.
And while Loki is captured and imprisoned in a huge, floating aircraft carrier, his plan to divide and conquer begins to take effect as each member of the squad not only has a super power, but a super ego, to boot. Inter-team conflicts break out all over as Captain American battles Iron Man who battles Thor who battles the Hulk who battles Black Widow who battles Hawkeye, etc., etc., etc.
Here, the movie takes a bit of a pause for exposition, but (thankfully) it got over itself and gets down to the concluding conflict featuring scaly, lizard aliens and large, snakelike robots which wreak havoc and destruction upon New York City (just think of what the Deceptacons did to Chicago in the last edition of "Transformers").
In fact, these scenes seem to point out in no uncertain terms that his henchmen are actually much more frightening and threatening than Loki, himself. There is even a most hilarious sequence when he shouts arrogantly at the Hulk, "I am a god!" (you will have to see for yourself what happens after that).
Finally putting their differences aside, the Avengers realize they have to work together or earth will indeed fall under the reign of a madman (or worse). The CGI and other special effects in these scenes (and throughout most of the film) are seamless and close to amazing.
In his directorial debut, Joss Whedon (who wrote "Cabin In the Woods"), uses a deft hand and just the right touch in combining fast-paced, spirited action with the sharp one-liners and snappy rejoinders we've come to expect from movies like this.
The best lines are naturally gotten off by Stark, but Banner (and even his alter ego) fire off a few great shots, as well. This, of course, is in no small thanks to writers Wheldon and Zak Penn ("The Incredible Hulk," "The Grand").
It's loud, funny, thrilling and leaves no doubt as to the inclusion of a part two (look for a nice little surprise midway through the credits). Also, as usual, creator Stan Lee makes another Hitchcock-like appearance, which hardcore and casual fans alike will appreciate.
And while the movie is shot in 3D, it is not really necessary, considering there are only a few scenes late in the film which actually accentuates the technology and some patrons may not want to pay the extra fee for it.
So, as summer "blockbuster" pictures move further away from the actual season, "The Avengers" is nevertheless a great way to kick off the advent of what Hollywood hopes (and prays, no doubt) will be a record-setting four months at the box office.