Combination of Wit and Plot Make for a Good Superhero Flick

Rating: 8/10 (10 June 2012)

While the Dark Knight with Christian Bale is possibly the best superhero movie of the 21st century, this first installment of the group of Marvel heroes known as the Avengers is a decent addition to the canon. Unlike other groups of superheros, such as the Fantastic Four and the X-Men, several of the Avengers were previously superheros in their own right in previous incarnations. The oldest is Captain America, who first appeared in the 1940's and fought against the Axis Powers during World War II. Both Iron Man and the Wasp appeared previously in Marvel's "Tales to Astonish" in 1962, and Thor appeared first in Marvel's "Journey into Mystery" also in 1962. The Hulk like Captain America appeared previously in his own comic book in 1962. Like the original comic book published in 1963, this film of the Avengers has them battling Thor's adopted and wayward brother, Loki, who are part of a race of beings called the Asgardians.
The film begins with American scientists working on a strange cube-shaped artifact, the Tesseract, which seems to have come from another dimension. We later learn it was discovered in the ocean. Nick Fury, a kind of CIA-agent superhero in the Marvel Universe (played by Samuel Jackson), heads the operation in a secluded compound which would give the Pentagon a run for its money. The Tesseract appears to have powers beyond the comprehension of the mere mortals who can't stop working on the darn thing. Of course that doesn't stop them from playing with something out of their league. Sort of the SF equivalent of the Rings from the "Lord of the Rings".
However, instead of taming the cube, the scientists inadvertently open a kind of portal to another dimension, the realm of Asgard, the world where Thor hails from. And out pops Loki, replete with a grin which would make Medusa turn to stone. The grin alone let's us know from the get-go the baddie of the story. He also wields a magical spear/sword thingie which either turns you to mush or makes you one of his zombie-minions. Like a boot squashing insects, Loki makes mince meat out of the operatives and their security, hypnotizes a few, not the least of which turns out to be the Green Arrow, grabs the Tesseract and then melts down their entire complex. All within less time then it takes to order and receive a cup of coffee at your local coffee shop.
Nick Fury engages the Avenger Initiative to bring the members together. Gradually, each of the superheros who will make up the Avengers appears, each engaged in some sort of situation which defines their character and their abilities. I thought that each of their situations were enough to let us know who they were and what kind of powers they have without dwelling on it too much. Eventually, Iron Man, Captain America, the Black Widow, and the Hulk are summoned to S.H.I.E.L.D., their headquarters a kind of flying aircraft carrier.
Their plan is to capture Loki and find the Tesseract. Natasha, a.k.a. the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), and Captain America (Chris Evans) accomplish the first goal relatively easily when Loki infiltrates a party of the upper-crust in Stuttgart, Germany. At first he gets a whole crowd of Germans on their knees until Captain America stops the show. While on their way back, Thor comes flying out of the sky from Asgard and grabs Loki from out from under Iron Man. At first Thor and Loki have their deep discussion, avoiding such topics as the weather. Then Iron Man comes back on the scene, and he begins battling with Thor, contending he should stay out of their dilemma. Captain America interrupts their fight, and eventually Loki is taken to S.H.I.E.L.D. which appears to be where Loki wants to be, and Thor accompanies them.
For me, this is where the fun really begins. When the members come together with their prisoner, they appear at odds with one another. The Iron Man, out of costume, begins a kind of rhetorical one-up-man-ship with Captain America. And the heroes begin taking different sides. Dr David Banner (aka the Incredible Hulk played by Mark Ruffalo when he isn't green) sides with Iron Man while Captain America and Thor appear to be at odds with everyone, although Nick Fury tries desperately to keep everything civil. We begin to learn this is part of Loki's plan, even though he is held captive. And yet he seems strangely complacent as if everything is working to his plan. From there, everything literally begins to unravel...
A great very entertaining installment in the Marvel Universe of 21st century films. All the cast members are terrific, but the best and most interesting lines, not to mention the most memorable moments, are between David Banner (the Hulk) and Iron Man. Captain America is just how you expect him, righteous in the morality department but rather one-dimensional in the rhetorical department. The only shortcoming I thought was the character of Nick Fury, who seemed like he needed a few more off-color lines, like Jackson's previous character in "Pulp Fiction". He seemed just a little too straightforward. The ending is foreshadowed somewhat in the middle but it all works. Definitely a must for Marvel fans.