The Avengers (2012); action comedy drama film review

Poster artwork for the action comedy drama film The Avengers.

Powerful Pack by Linh

The blockbuster action film from Marvel, The Avengers, that is also called Avengers Assemble in the United Kingdom, and based on the comic book with minor alterations made for the film adaptation is directed and co-written by Joss Whedon (Serenity, The Cabin In The Woods). Most of Whedon’s vision for the film’s premise is realised, and the cast assembled to portray the team of superheroes are superb. Whedon, who is mostly known for his work in the television series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, brings together a group of individuals who all manage to work as a team on the screen. All the superhero characters have already appeared in films leading up to this film’s release, which makes it easier to attract an audience and create a larger fanbase.

AWESTRUCK AVENGERS: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain America (Chris Evans) prepare for the battle ahead in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

In The Avengers, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) of the spy agency S.H.I.E.L.D, is experimenting with the special cube of unlimited sustainable energy called the Tesseract, when he is rudely interrupted by Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Loki uses his sceptre to “cast a spell” on Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) and Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), making them his followers, then destroys S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters as he departs with the Tesseract. 

Nick Fury sends out orders to his spy agents Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) to enlist the help of Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner/The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) respectively. Meanwhile, Nick Fury convinces Steve Rogers/ Captain America (Chris Evans) to join the fight against Loki. After the team have captured Loki in Stuttgart, Germany, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) drops in to take Loki and the Tesseract back to Asgard. The team warns Thor that Loki has sent an army to destroy Earth and the Tesseract is missing, so he agrees to hold Loki in custody until they find the Tesseract. However, Loki’s plans of ultimate power and control look likely until the team of superheroes can work together to stop the invaders on land and in the air.

HULK HORROR: Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) escapes the rage of the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

The battle scenes look spectacular and are brilliantly edited so the action from the air and on the ground blend and move smoothly from one character’s fight scene to another.  The hand-to-hand combat and fight scenes leading up to the big battle in Manhattan are excellent; Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye give each other powerful punches and kicks before calming down to a brief emotional moment of shared history from their past; the forest fight scene between Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is a comical masculinity-contest and seems to help establish an understanding of how they can use their powers “with” instead of “against” each other.

HOTSHOT HAWKEYE: Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) makes a perfect hit as he leaps through the air in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

Throughout the film, there seems to be an underlying message of “power” and “unity”, which involves the superheroes assembling as a group without losing their own individuality, and the idea of how power can be corruptive and destructive as well as easily shared to assist humanity. The “power” which Nick Fury and Tony Stark/Iron Man seek pertains to an energy source that is clean, unlimited and sustainable which can provide power for everyone’s daily needs. The “power” which Loki craves is the control or domination over others and a desire that they must serve him as their ruler. In an ironic plot-twist, the power of the Tesseract is used to unleash destructive forces upon Manhattan, New York, prompting the superheroes to use their powers to fight back.

HEROIC HEAT: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans) and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) fight off a fiery foe in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

The film uses a variety of special effects in audio and visual depictions, including motion-capture technology for Mark Ruffalo to physically portray The Hulk. In the past, the giant green monster was usually computer generated and voiced by Lou Ferrigno. The film’s visually stunning and breath-taking action sequences are some of the best work for the Marvel comic book film franchise. The Avengers exceeded expectations at the box office in Australia in 2012, as it is a fun, exciting and fast-paced film where every scene counts.

AGILE AVENGER: Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) lies low as Bruce Banner unleashes The Hulk in the film The Avengers. Image: Marvel Studios.

Director: Joss Whedon

Writers: Joss Whedon (story, screenplay), Zack Penn (story), Stan Lee (comic book), Jack Kirby (comic book)

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Alexis Denisof, Jenny Agutter, Powers Boothe, Harry Dean Stanton, Stan Lee, Donald Li, James Eckhouse, Lou Ferrigno (voice), Paul Bettany (voice)

Producers: Stan Lee, Jon Favreau, Alan Fine, Patricia Whitcher, Jeremy Latcham, Louis D’Esposito,  Avi Arad, Kevin Feige, Victoria Alonso

Cinematographer: Seamus McGarvey

Original Music Composer: Alan Silvestri

Film Editor: Jeffrey Ford, Lisa Lassek

Production:  James Chinlund (Production Designer), Billy Hunter, Randy Moore, Benjamin Edelberg, Richard L. Johnson, Gregory S. Hooper, Jann K. Engel (Art Directors), Victor J. Zolfo (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Alexandra Byrne

Languages: English, Russian and Hindi with English subtitles

Running Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes