The hype was understatement.

Rating: 10/10 (5 May 2012)

This one goes way beyond simply being the final? chapter in a themed series.The individual Marvel movies have been OK (Hulk) to good (Iron Man 1) but The Avengers is an order of magnitude better than the best of them.
This film is good enough to appeal to the general public, but for comic / action fans, its is a an exquisite symphony; much more than the sum of its parts. You will find sublime pathos mixed with humor, and it works.
I believe it will become a genre defining work, as Star Wars and Lord of the Rings are. It will simultaneously make you want to fight evil, serve your country and believe that redemption is still possible for those ready to lay it on the line, and become heroes.