Alien Invasion thwarted by battling Super Heroes

Rating: 9/10 (5 May 2012)

THE AVENGERS So, what's not to like? THE AVENGERS promised to be the biggest movie of the year, that is, until the release of THE DARK NIGHT RISES. It is. Mix four of the world's greatest superheroes with three of the world's best spies and assassins and pit them against an invading army from outer space, with some of the best SFX guys in the business, and how could you not have the popcorn movie of the year? This begs the question: How can mere mortals fight along side superheroes? The three in question are Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Director and writer Joss Whedon does a fine job incorporating these characters with those who have powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.
Is there great acting? No. Doesn't have to be; none of the characters calls for it. Robert Downey, Jr. can do the wise-ass Tony Stark in his sleep. Mark Ruffalo does a credible job filling in for Edward Norton, but I keep thinking how much better Norton's sneer would have been as Bruce Banner. (Original reports issued from the Hollywood PR machine claimed Norton was holding out for too much money and really didn't want the role. After the spin died, my sources revealed Norton very much wanted to be in the film and reprise his role as The Hulk. The studio cut him out and put out a smear campaign against him, making him persona non grata. Rumors are Downey was afraid of being upstaged, but I find that hard to believe as Downey and Norton have both painted the town red, with aplomb, in the past.) Is there a superior story? No. The invading army coming through the time warp portal is too reminiscent of MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. I half expected to see Frank Langella riding one of the space carriages as Skeletor. The mechanical dragons harken back to the god-awful Hercules films, starring Lou Ferrigno (the original Hulk). And, there are enough continuity errors to scratch your head and cause you to anticipate the extended DVD version, which will certainly plug up the holes with deleted scenes.
And, we couldn't have a Hollywood movie without putting a bit of an agenda, now, could we? Even the epitome of American Exceptionalism, Captain America, cites Americans as losers and avers the Stars and Stripes are tarnished. This is an obvious ploy to cater to the anti-American crowd that so loved the comic issue where Captain America lost his faith. It isn't necessary in this movie, and it adds a sub-plot that is never resolved. Thankfully, Nick Fury tells Cap: "we need to believe in those things again". Amen, brother. Amen.
The stars of films like THE AVENGERS are the techs. They do a masterful job that is the sweetest of eye-candies. The film is shot in 3D and IMAX. It doesn't need it. There's no amazing 3D sequence, like there is in WRATH OF THE TITANS; so my advice is save a few bucks and see the movie in a regular theatre with standard projectors.
Is it big? Yes. Is it fun? Yes. Especially the scene where Loki tries to explain to the Hulk he is a god. Is it a great night out? Absolutely. Is it the film of the summer? Ah, no. I still think that will be THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.
THE RATING FOR THE AVENGERS = A -30-