Saturday, April 28, 2012
Just a quick comment I want to make: my friend pointed out that Loki as depicted by Marvel is nothing like her knowledge of the character from Norse mythology, and as such she was a bit disappointed. I can't say to know anything about the myths but found it an interesting concept that if that's true there mustn't have been anyone else worthy to Stan Lee and co. in filling that void...
For the film as a whole, such huge hype has preceded this event and it held up to expectation. Plus I was excited to see Tom Hiddleston in such an extensive role (because authenticity or not, Loki's a great character) after he couldn't tell me much when I interviewed him for Thor :)
The Avengers (M)
Every fanboy’s dream has finally made it to cinemas in what
is the first superhero blockbuster of the high season, preceding the return of
Spiderman and DC rival Batman in his final hurrah. Not least highly anticipated
because of questions it was expected to answer, the grouping of Marvel comic
heroes sets itself up for the battle of all battles. And that means bringing in
the outsiders.
Last year’s Thor
first showed the relationship between the titular character (Chris Hemsworth)
and his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), one the hero of planet Asgard, the other
seemingly in his shadow. That pain still lingers for Loki, who craves
domination and establishes a relationship with aliens of an unknown planet to
take down Earth and its freedom.
On our fair planet, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and his
S.H.I.E.L.D. team are guarding a tessaract that they believe contains enough
energy for long-term sustainability on Earth. Loki uses his extra-terrestrial
allies to steal it and threaten all mankind by unleashing the energy for evil.
The Avengers are then called in one by one to stop the catastrophe.
Director Joss Whedon wastes no time with backstories already
established in five previous Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Instead, each
hero is apprehensive about meeting the others based on unruly tales and have
right to be when it later translates into internal arguments. Tony Stark/Iron
Man (Robert Downey Jr.) hates and is hated by almost everyone and Bruce Banner
(Mark Ruffalo) is feared for any sudden change into The Hulk. Natasha
Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Steve Rogers/Captain America
(Chris Evans) are more focused but still unhappy with how the situation is
unfurling.
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| Blog exclusive: Personal opinion: the two hottest Chris' in the universe. |
The plot and associated danger at hand play second fiddle to
these internal conflicts in the middle stretch as questions of who would beat
who in an ultimate battle are (at least partly) answered. Each has strengths
and weaknesses exposed through physical and verbal stoushes as their
larger-than-life egos temporarily forget the big picture.
But that’s Whedon’s game play. Anticipating what the fans
want, he delivers in a style worthy of the expectation. As screenwriter, he
contains enough intrigue and information for those new to the Marvel universe
to grasp what is happening while fuelling the banter as further expansion of
characters many are now well aware of.
The cast are established in their roles and manage to pull
off working together (or not) extremely well. Ruffalo is the newcomer of the
group but performs well coming into the fold. S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill
(Cobie Smulders) is also a welcome addition, while Hiddleston is gleefully
enjoyable as Loki. As a very late confirmation for inclusion in the film, he
evolves into an important central character. Loki is a villain almost worth
pity as the help offered for redemption by his brother is completely lost on
him.
The action between the Avengers and Loki’s aliens (because
there is a big battle, no spoiler there) is of a level expected with such a
high calibre of heroes, kept interesting through various obstacles preventing
the new team from finishing the job. There aren’t too many laughs, but the
emergence of the Avengers still maintains expectation and a high level of
butt-kicking.
Rating: 4/5*Published in the Daily Liberal (Dubbo), Western Advocate (Bathurst), Parkes Champion Post and Midstate Observer (Orange) from Saturday 28/4/2012
MISSED LAST WEEK'S REVIEW? See what I thought of The Lucky One.
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