The Avengers has been one of the most anticipated superhero movies due out for the late spring/early summer season. With characters such as Captain America, The Black Widow, Iron Man, The Hulk, and Thor all in one film, anticipation was high and there was going to be no shortage of action scenes.
For anyone planning on seeing The Avengers, make sure to brush up and watch Thor and Captain America beforehand. Some of the early scenes can be a bit hard to follow because references to those previous films are made throughout the beginning. The first few opening scenes, which set the movie and plot in motion, can be a bit hard to follow but it picks up and becomes easy to follow after that point.
Once the opening scenes are finished, the tone of the action of the film is set with a big fight sequence featuring The Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johannsson). Johhansson does an incredible job setting up the character for future scenes and the fight scenes foreshadow the battles yet to come.
There isn't a strong storyline to the film as there was in the films leading up to this but you still feel an emotionally attached to the characters as the film progresses. Early on, Chris Evans, who plays Steve Rogers and Captain American, is frustrated after being asleep for 70 years underneath ice and has trouble coming to terms with missing out on a large chunk of history. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark aka Iron Man very similar to the previous two films and his banter with the other characters leads to some entertaining moments. Chris Helmsworth is believable as Thor once again and Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of the evil Loki can give the audience goosebumps.
One pleasant surprise to the cast was the addition of Mark Ruffalo, who replaced Edward Norton as Bruce Banner aka The Hulk. Norton did an incredible job playing Banner in 2008's The Incredible Hulk but was replaced by Ruffalo when Norton and the studio could not come to an agreement. Ruffalo does have a good reputation in the industry and his portrayal was a little different from Norton's on the Bruce Banner character. Norton made the character intellectual, confident and action packed and while Ruffalo made the character more intellectual. Ruffalo's portrayal brought out more of the scientist in the Bruce Banner character and made for a great addition to the cast.
Another great addition to the cast is Jeremy Renner, who plays Agent Clint Renner and Hawkeye. Renner had a brief cameo in Thor but the character was more developed in this film. Renner brings grit and toughness to the character and makes a nice addition to the cast.
As the movie progresses, the characters do develop and the emotions are felt throughout the film. During a conflict with Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson), it is easy to feel the emotions the characters and it brings back the distrust the characters have for Fury at times. This is an element that is often played in the comics and done well for the screen.
Being a native Clevelander, I was excited to see the scenes involving East. 9th Street and Public Square. Having walked in those areas numerous times, it is easy to distinguish the scenes that were shot in Public Square and East 9th and the Terminal Tower is visible in a couple of the shots.
While the storyline is not as strong as in some of the movies prior to this, the action sequences and comic relief make the film enjoyable and fun to watch. The fight scenes do not feel excessive and drive the key points of the film. The movie has been worth the wait and worth the admission.
Grade: A
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