Nailed It!

Rating: 9/10 (1 May 2012)

So, I've seen it twice now and I'm still finding it difficult to articulate just how great this film is.
Usually, with films that are heavily promoted and feature characters that I carry a nostalgic reverence for, there is a fear that I'm going to dislike what has been done with it (and the older you get the greater the reverence for the formative years). I'm certainly carrying this trepidation as the release dates for The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises close in (although in truth, I'll pay to see anything involving Spidey or Batman at least once).
Not so with Avengers. I wanted to be there on the first day – Marvel Studios have proved their ability to translate their characters into cinema more than adequately with the wit and irreverence that made Marvel my true love during my younger days. All of the Marvel movies to date have been exceptional in their own ways, even the weakest of them (Iron Man 2 imho) had more than enough action and humour to make spending a couple of hours in their company a great way to live your life.
With this in mind, Joss Whedon seemed an inspired choice to manage the first big screen outing and I'd been eagerly awaiting The Avengers since the post credits scene in Thor and my inner twelve year old was giddy with excitement at the teaser after Captain America.
What I didn't expect was just how good it was going to be. And I still can't articulate why but here's a list of elements:

It is the best parts of all the other Marvel movies multiplied by 1000.

The characters are all well cast and the actors seem to be enjoying their roles – RDJ isn't allowed to steal the show, Hemsworth keeps up the good work, Evans finds the humour in what could be a dry role it, Sam Jackson is Sam Jackson, Scarlett is filmed from behind in figure hugging leather and gets a character that has the intellectual strength not to have to kick ass to kick ass (if you know what I mean). Jeremy Renner does his best with the weakest written role and only has a couple of scenes to shine.

Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk is revelatory. And Tom Hiddlestone? Dude was born to play Loki, he is terrific.

A plot that makes sense and seems to propel itself forward without the need for any artificial nonsense (although, I'm sure we'll see the joins through its multiple DVD viewings, on the big screen it works and works well).

Action, action, action. 142 minutes in the blink of an eye.

HULK! - not too much dwelling on the downside of having a big green rage machine living inside you but proper glee in the smashing potential when it's appropriate.

Quotable lines aplenty: "I'm going to put you on hold for a second.", "He's adopted.", "Mewling quim.", "I'm always angry.", "Hulk? Smash.", "Puny God".

It's awesomeness writ large on the big screen. Joy. Cinematic Prozac.
And yeahI have a girlfriend, she loved it too. So did my three kids and my ex wife is sick cos we're all raving about it and she hasn't seen it yet.
The biggest compliment I can pay it? I am envious of those people who haven't seen it yet, I want another first time.
And I want a Lego Helicarrier Escape playset!
Dammit, I shouldn't have written this, now I want to see it again.