Great fun for all the family (or mainly men)

Rating: 10/10 (7 January 2015)

What can be said about the Avengers that can't be summed up by the poster? In case you've been living in another dimension, the past, or with the gods, you must have noticed that all the most recent Marvel films have been running side by side, setting the scene from something bigger. And this is it.
The Avengers sees superheroes: Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, the Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and Nick Fury come together to fight Thor's nasty brother - fellow God Loki.
Just check the poster and promotional art out to see whether you think you'll like it. It's big, it's bold, it's explosive, it's special effects-laden and everything you've come to expect from a summer blockbuster. Apart from the fact that most summer blockbusters are simply special effects and a costly cinema admission. The Avengers is actually pretty damn good.
The Avengers was released in the same years as Batman: The Dark Knight Rises and many people wondered whether there would be enough room for two such giant superhero movies. I would say yes, largely down to them being such different types of film. The Dark Knight is...well, much darker. It's not so brash and loud as the Avengers. Perhaps The Dark Knight is 'the thinking man's superhero movie?' Either way, if you want dark, moody and deep, Christopher Nolen's Batman will probably fit the bill. However, if you just want some pretty wicked action, great set-pieces and a bunch of people with superpowers knocking lumps out of each other in silly suits then delivering a witty quip or two, then The Avengers should keep you entertained for a couple of hours.
People have argued that the superheroes don't receive equal screen time. Well, they nearly do, but you have to expect that Robert Downey Jr gets a little more screen time than his counterparts due to him being the biggest star in the film. But that should be a minor gripe.
Bottom line: if you liked any of the previous Marvel superhero movies that this film is based on, then you will probably like this one.
But, like I mentioned in the title, I'm guessing it will appeal mainly to young boys (or men like me who are still young boys at heart - and it has nothing to do with Scarlett Johannson in her catsuit... honest).