A perfect culmination of good creative decisions

Rating: 8/10 (12 December 2014)

Not just a great superhero film, not just a great superheroes film, but also somehow a great Joss Whedon film. Funny goes with dark and dramatic, modern arm in arm with classic storytelling methods and tropes.
Comprehensible special effects and great use of visual space although aspect ratio is a compromise largely due to 3D and staying true to actor's heights (Also w Hulks) so it's not cinematographically outstanding. There's definitely been a discussion about this by the creative and camera departments but overall it still felt satisfying to watch and they pull of the comic- book magic/sci-fi realism well.
But the most astonishing thing you'll feel watching this film is that it works. Somehow all the ingredients work even if they don't seem to at first, which is the story of Avengers. You're more than the sum of the parts, and working together rather than conflict is the only way and it does. Very well.