Avengers

[TrekBeatTK]

Thought about putting this in the "super heroes" thread, but figured we might as well have a folder for this fim by itself, and perhaps the films that tie into it.

Saw the movie yesterday. Not going to spoil it, but it was pretty good. A lot of fun. I could have used a bit more motivation from the villain threat, and it's not got a lot in the way of character development (since that was all done in the prior movies). Though we got a bit on Black Widow, which I liked. But in the vane of summer action movies it's definitely one of the best. Like all the elements of a Michael Bay movie, except you enjoy yourself.

Of all the Marvel universe movies (not counting the Spider-Man or X-Men movies), it has the most comic book feel to it I think, and not in a bad way.

Wasn't as keen on some of the costume redesigns (particularly Captain America. It wasn't bad, but there was something a little off about it). But I thought they did a great job handling all the characters, in the way that the best Star Trek movies used to do. A real sense of team, the kind of feeling we got in Star Trek III and IV.

While the CG will always be a bit dodgy with the character, this is the best film realization of the Hulk. I still prefer Norton's Bruce Banner though, and really wish they hadn't recast.

All in all, considering how little I think of Joss Whedon this was a great movie to kick off the summer. I bet DC is kicking themselves for scrapping their Justice League plans years ago. Still wonder what Whedon's Wonder Woman movie would have been like.

Still think Iron Man is the best of the movies, but this one is strong. And Stan Lee's cameo is a good one this time too. There's a scene after the early credits, so stay for that. There is a little scene at the very end of the credits too, but it's not something you really need to see. Just a gag.

Haven't seen it in 3D yet, but hope to soon. Can't wait to hear everyone's thoughts.

-TK

[CRAMBAM]

I think it's fair this gets its own thread as well.

I saw it today. I also enjoyed it. I think it was much better than a Michael Bay movie. It had a decent plot, and of course, great characters.

It takes talent not to butcher something like this, and they pulled it off. They even improved on the Hulk, which apparently Hollywood has trouble with. He didn't even look bad this time.

The only issue I have with the Hulk is that he doesn't speak. I realize Ferrigno's version didn't speak, but Ferrigno CAN, and they might as well use his voice to do more than growl.

It kills me that DC can't do this.

But they don't make good superhero movies.

If they ever went all out with DC, it would be sick.

Imagine Apokolips invading Earth, and the Justice League fights off the invasion, culminating in a one on one throwdown between Superman and Darkseid.

[TrekBeatTK]

The Hulk does speak, they just keep it to a bare minimum in the movies. In the last one, it was pretty much just "Hulk smash!". In this one he says "puny god" (which you may have missed due to audience laughter), and I think one or two other things. But it's not a lot.

-TK

[CRAMBAM]

I didn't hear "puny god" at all.

It was interesting that Hulk was more in control and intelligent in this one--like it should be.

Hulk may be pure rage, but he should be able to reflect Banner's genuine goodness, and should be able to distinguish good guys from bad guys.

[StarFuryG7]

May 6, 2012 8:02:06 GMT -5 CRAMBAM said:

I didn't hear "puny god" at all.

Oh, I sure heard it, and it shows that he's more aware of what's going on than a lot people might be inclined to think, unlike in the Bill Bixby TV series in the 70s, where he was more of a mindless aggressive beast (although cognizant enough not to harm the weak or innocent to be sure).

If there was a lot of laughter in the theater you may not have heard him say it though. That was a pretty funny scene.

[StarFuryG7]

This is a question better left to someone who knows more about it than me, so, is there any overlap between Dark Horse Comics and Marvel?

[StarFuryG7]

Great, apparently there was a final scene that I missed because we had already left the theater.

[CRAMBAM]

They do that in every Marvel movie--Avengers actually had TWO scenes after the credits, but one was more a comedic payoff. The other though was a set up for a future movie.

[StarFuryG7]

I saw the next to last scene when the master, who looked like Hellboy to me, is spoken to about Earth. I didn't see the final restaurant scene though, in part because the person I was with had already left the theater, so after what I had hoped was the last scene was over, I walked out too, while other people in the theater were still sitting down waiting for the credits, or whatever, to finish rolling. Traditionally there has been only one post-credit scene in these films as I recall, but I had a hunch there would be another one I was going to miss as I walked out of the theater.

[CRAMBAM]

The character that looked like Hellboy is called Thanos. He's pretty much a Marvel badass villain, not unlike Darkseid in the DC universe (they even look a little alike).

[StarFuryG7]

Over at Blastr:

Clear your calendar—Avengers 2 release date confirmed!

Disney and Marvel Studios are wasting no time with their Avengers sequel. They've just announced the film's official release date, which will once again kick off the summer blockbuster season.

MORE: blastr.com/2012/08/mark-your-calenders-the-a.php

[CRAMBAM]

I REALLY wish DC could get their acts together.