Spoiler Alert: The Avengers – entertaining, not excellent
This really isn’t the sort of movie that makes a huge impact; it isn't exactly what you would call 'motivational'. PHOTO: PUBLICITY
So there it came to an end, whatever excitement I had felt towards watching The Avengers. Don’t get me wrong; I liked it a lot, I actually loved it and will watch it again when I’m in the mood.
Perhaps my issue stems from the fact that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had expected; I had very high expectations. Plus, most of you might not agree with me, but this really isn’t the sort of movie that makes a huge impact. It isn’t exactly what you would call ‘motivational’.
Where do I start?
I guess direction is a good place to begin with.
I’m a huge fan of Joss Whedon, and I definitely do admire most of his work to date: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Firefly, Serenity, and Titan AE. All of these represent Whedon’s incredible direction skills. And I could actually see a reflection of him in parts of the movie and it was great.
Character development is a talent that Whedon has mastered, but unfortunately, much as I tried, I didn’t see his skills this time around.
Understandably, the rules are different when directing a movie in comparison to a television series – you have the entire story that needs to be wrapped up within about three hours in a movie, whereas you can build the characters through different episodes in a TV series.
The Hulk, also known as Dr Bruce Banner, is probably one character that went through a major change. Through most of the movie, the Hulk remained a beast – an uncontrollable beast.
And then suddenly when the time came, Bruce Banner miraculously mastered the act of controlling his actions and emotions. This surprised me greatly; when did The Hulk learn to control his actions? How did that happen exactly?
Moving on, we had agent Phil Coulson’s death which represented an episode that somewhat brought together all the heroes, yet his death came without much feeling.
This is not something that every guy would openly admit to, but I’m the sort of person that can get attached to a character really quickly. I get all emotional and teary-eyed during a well done tragic scene and death. Given that Joss Whedon is one of the few directors who does tragedy like no other, somehow this one just fell flat – no lump in the throat, and no tears in the eyes.
Pepper Potts calling Phil by his first name, him carrying Captain America’s vintage cards, etc; perhaps these tidbits were supposed to show us how all of them related to the agent’s death in one way or the other, but I just didn’t feel it.
And then the aliens; Loki spent most of the movie talking about a giant army – his ultimate destruction plan. Imagine my surprise and the anti-climax when the army, finally coming into play, was easily decimated by the heroes.
Apart from the lazy worm-like ships and aliens continuously flying into buildings, it didn’t seem like they presented much of a threat other than the ones with the guns who were just as easily thwarted.
For an army that was to be the world’s worst problem, it turned out to be quite a joke and thus didn’t have much of an impact.
At least throughout the final battle some humour was employed to make it enjoyable. Scenes such as The Hulk punching Thor in the face after they kicked some villainous backsides, just because he could, Loki being thrown around like a doll after he declares to be a god and not someone that can be thrown around, and others were welcomed by the entire audience.
People are still calling this the most anticipated movie of the year and more.
I believe that this statement is a gross exaggeration – The Dark Knight Rises anyone?
If you like superhero movies, like me, and are into the whole comic scene, then don’t miss this one. But honestly, if you ask me, Chronicle did more for me than The Avengers did. Chronicle was brilliant, had superb character development, and provided an exciting fight between two of its main characters that probably surpassed the fights in The Avengers by far.
Overall the experience was enjoyable. Not excellent, but definitely good.
Follow Salman on Twitter @msalmank
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.
I sent in my review for the ET magazine. I agree… it was good… fun… but not great. I am really looking forward to The Dark Knight Rises. :)Recommend
Yea… when the city was being torn apart. I felt nothing. Just watch Superman II again for a truly great superhero flick.Recommend
Heres some stuff to help elucidate the the hulk transformation:
http://theumbrellaseller.tumblr.com/post/22482065050/hemsworthss-science-bros-there-are-no-words
I think the the internal struggle, and finally unleashing the beast willingly was subtly and well done. Too subtle for some apparently.Recommend
this really isn’t the sort of movie that makes a huge impact. ???
$1billion made in 2 weeks …How much bigger the impact you are talking about ?…
Captain America was a real disappointing thou ….Recommend
Since my post was deleted from the Facebook page, here’s my two cents here. A) the author clearly has no clue about the marvel universe as Hulk was a sentient being and was a split personality having his own thought process. He was never a mindless distructobot or whatever as he had protected civilians during fights in his enraged state every time. So the author is just one of the fanboys who’s just jumped along the bandwagon having knowledge only gained from the area where the sun doesn’t shine.
B) Spoiler alert means you are about to hint on some aspect of the movie. Not give away the damn story and everything that happens in between the lines. THe movie is yet to be released in certain countries and there are thousands of people who still havent seen it in pakistan. Just because you’ve seen the movie doesn’t make it that you give away all that happens in the story.Recommend
I think you need to get your facts straight.
“And then suddenly when the time came, Bruce Banner miraculously mastered the act of controlling his actions and emotions. This surprised me greatly; when did The Hulk learn to control his actions? How did that happen exactly?” Are you serious?
I thought tribune was a sensible paper, in which articles published were written after research and understanding of the subject. Someone who doesn’t know about history of hulk, clearly doesn’t qualify to write ANYTHING about Marvel or DC. I would call this amateur writing at its best.Recommend
I believe you were expecting the kind of heavy drama which in my opinion has affected the dark knight franchise with a very somber tone. In that regard this movie was quite refreshing against the likes of recent superhero outings like TDK, Spiderman, Wolverine etc; all of w/c droll on employing serious uptight dialogue and atmosphere. I contrast appreciated its comic density although i agree that the emotion wherever it was required didn’t come off effectively at all.
Regarding hulk’s control issues…I do believe it was addressed during his initial scene with the black widow and then later with stark?/$ (will confirm after a re-watch as soon as I get my hands on a good copy)
Overall I loved it for its heavy budget entertainment shashkas and the awesome antics of Tony stark and the Hulk.
P.S: No complaints there but did anyone feel it was kinda Iron man centric?Recommend
Actually it is a bad film.
It seemed like a Pakistani/Indian wedding.
Too much noise, too many people, too much happening, too little time for individuals, too much confusion, too colorful, too showy, too extravagant, too tiring, made too little sense and finally when everything is over, you are left with an empty hall and a feeling of hollowness.Recommend
@Zain: I actually understood the transformation, but then again, not everyone is a comic fan and knows their superhero history as some of us do. Most of the people sitting around me in the cinema commented on how The Hulk was suddenly a different entity! Not a failure of the character, an issue with the direction and writing…Recommend
Yes I agree. It does not make an impact. Its very entertaining, a lot of fun, but doesnt make much of an impact. For me, The Dark Knight is still the best superhero film ever.Recommend
@Burhan: Sorry about that mate, but Spoiler Alert signifies the potential for an article/review to spoil it for you if you haven’t seen the movie yet. Maybe i should have said “Major” spoiler alert!
In regards to The Hulk – in agreement with you. The problem stems with how the writer portrayed the character in the movie and then did a complete 360 without presenting much rhyme or reason. For Hulk fans, they may be able to understand this transformation, but for the major audience it presented a point of confusion.Recommend
@M.Aswad Mehatb:
When I talk about a movie making a huge impact, I’m not talking about the box-office for sure.Recommend
@Maynah:
Being a huge fan of comic books, I understood the transformation The Hulk went through but most of everyone in the cinema although cheered the moment he walked onto the screen before the final battle, also questioned how’d he get his act together.
If you look at the movie, it relies heavily on past flicks and comics to get its stand and that is probably what resulted in its negatives.
Anyways, like I said… I loved the movie overall. But expectations were high and it is definitely a bit overrated.Recommend
when did The Hulk learn to control his actions? How did that happen exactly?
In his entire comic book history and in the film that starred Edward Norton, which counts towards the current cinematic story arc of Marvel Superheroes, coming together as the Avengers. Only the actor changed. The story didn’t.
yet his death came without much feeling.
For someone who supposedly claims to be a big fan of Joss Whedon, you forgot that Whedon has killed several beloved characters from his series with a certain detachment that hits the audiences much more than a melodramatic, long-drawn death spectacle. Ref: Wash in Serenity.
Loki spent most of the movie talking about a giant army – his ultimate destruction plan. Imagine my surprise and the anti-climax when the army, finally coming into play, was easily decimated by the heroes.
a) Those weren’t aliens. Those were Thanos’ minions.
b) Did you really think in a good vs. bad story, the bad would come out on top? Have you forgotten how every story ever in the history of storytelling ends?
The Dark Knight Rises is only more anticipated because it is the last in the trilogy. The Avengers has already crossed the $1 billion mark and it hasn’t even been released in some other major markets yet.
Lazy so-called review.Recommend
Also, if you are waiting for a superhero to make ANY impact at all on the real world, you will have to admit that is the most naive thing coming from someone who claims to be a comic book/cinema fan. Superhero movies are blockbusters; easy come, easy go. If you want to watch a film that makes an impact, watch a documentary. (And even they don’t really create an impact anymore.)Recommend
You felt disappointed with regards to character development…. well then why do you think they made the individual marvel hero movies before launching them together as “The Avengers”
The ones made in advance:
Iron man 1 and 2
The Hulk (another one should have been made a prequel per se; so we could be made aware of Banner’s struggles in controlling his emotions since a few filler dialogues will not suffice the understanding of the aforementioned phenomena…we have to see it to learn. Otherwise it will lead to interjections by BIG comic fans about the lapse of plausible development)
Captain America
Thor
Definitely more sequels to come in the near future.Recommend
Just worth watching once!!!Recommend
You really need to understand something. Its a movie which has got 5 major characters in it. It is not just the most anticipated movie of the year, its the most anticipated movie of the decade. Movies like, Captain America, Iron Man 2, Thor, & The incredeble Hulk were all just a part of the build up towards the Avengers. All these movies contained scenes which linked them togather. Dark Knight Rises only had The Dark Knight as a build up and you know were well that it was only because of Heath Ledger that we all enjoyed The Dark Knight. So, when it comes to anticipation, The Avengers is probably the most anticipated movie of our life time. Well, the next one would probably be Avengers 2.Recommend
@Hussain:
It’s not about the facts of Hulk, but what the represented him as before and then right after. It was only a matter of few hours between the massive change in character without them providing any back story to it.
Being a huge comic fan, I could relate to the change in Hulk’s character. Even if you disregard the comics – not everyone has read ‘em! – and take into consideration the last Hulk movie, at the end when Banner is sitting meditating, soon after, his eyes turn green. He’s starting to turn into the Hulk. This shows that he doesn’t have to be physically harmed to turn, he can control it. So yeah, I understood that transformation at the end of the movie.
Or if you look at the comics, on the occasions that Banner has controlled the Hulk’s body, he has applied principles of physics to problems and challenges and used deductive reasoning to do so.Recommend
Not a geek just a comic movies fan and my solution to the hulk problem; If Banner involuntarily turns into the Hulk, it’s uncontrollable but if he CHOOSES to turn into the Hulk than he can control him.
Sometimes one has to infer not everything has to be spelled out. If that is hard then just enjoy it at face value. How do you guys enjoy TDK then , srsly?Recommend
@Dr Killjoy:
Superhero movies can’t change the world for sure, but when I talk about a movie that makes impact, it is one that hits a chord with you. The Avengers lacked much feeling for the most part.
In his entire comic book history and in the film that starred Edward Norton, which counts towards the current cinematic story arc of Marvel Superheroes, coming together as the Avengers. Only the actor changed. The story didn’t. And I totally understand that, but this here is a movie that showed him as the uncontrollable beast in the first half and then a controllable superhero in the latter part. That’s where the issue is. I’ve read the comics and I’ve seen the previous movies, but majority of the audience hasn’t!
For someone who supposedly claims to be a big fan of Joss Whedon, you forgot that Whedon has killed several beloved characters from his series with a certain detachment that hits the audiences much more than a melodramatic, long-drawn death spectacle. Ref: Wash in Serenity. Ummm… the scene when Wash says; “I am a leaf on the wind,” turns to his wife, Zoë, and his captain, Mal and continues… “Watch me–” but never completes it had more of an impact that Agent Colson’s death for sure!
a) Those weren’t aliens. Those were Thanos’ minions. Thanks for the correction…
b) Did you really think in a good vs. bad story, the bad would come out on top? Have you forgotten how every story ever in the history of storytelling ends? Obviously the good wins, but have you ever seen it win so damn easily? Oh for heaven’s sake, the thanos’ minions army represented an army that could bring about the destruction of the Earth… and it was thwarted with much ease. Perhaps I just lusted for a bit more action and chaos…
The Dark Knight Rises is only more anticipated because it is the last in the trilogy. The Avengers has already crossed the $1 billion mark and it hasn’t even been released in some other major markets yet. The Avengers relies on its individual superhero films too, and though i loved it, i enjoyed Thor and Norton’s Hulk and such more. Box office numbers are for businesses, but a movie is not rated on its business but on the content.Recommend
USD 1 billion in first two weeks !!! who needs advice from you…
This movie was supposed to entertain and it did beautifully…..why would someone expect a motivational movie from Marvel ….. just an indication of how much you know about Marvel…Recommend
“…but this here is a movie that showed him as the uncontrollable beast in the first half and then a controllable superhero in the latter part. That’s where the issue is. I’ve read the comics and I’ve seen the previous movies, but majority of the audience hasn’t!”
Erm, as someone who had no interest in Marvel Universe pre-watching The Avengers, I can only say that the movie did somewhat tell that Bruce had not turned into Hulk in more or less 1 year (his conversation with Black Widow at their first meeting).
He also did not change all through the half part of the movie until he met Loki who somewhat provoked the beastly Hulk to emerge (you do know he has this somewhat psychic ability).
The next transformation to Hulk, Banner was the one who control the monster. Why? Because it was obvious. You don’t need a whole segment of a movie to explain HOW Bruce can master the Hulk… imho, just by watching and picking up some clues shared wittily by Whedon is enough.
Well, maybe what you need is just a bit of an imagination.
Cheers.Recommend
I’m from Colombia, and all I have to say is that The Avengers rule! great movie. Just stop criticising like you were experts… that’s silly.Recommend
Who died and made you a movie critique? You don’t know what you are talking about.Recommend
Character development is a talent that Whedon has mastered, but unfortunately, much as I tried, I didn’t see his skills this time around.
Characters were already built in the Hulk, Thor, Capt America & Iron man movies.
People are still calling this the most anticipated movie of the year and more.
It was for Marvel fans. You seem to be a DC boy :)
I’m the sort of person that can get attached to a character really quickly. I get all emotional and teary-eyed during a well done tragic scene and death.
If thats the case stick to Titanic.
But honestly, if you ask me, Chronicle did more for me than The Avengers did. Chronicle was brilliant, had superb character development, and provided an exciting fight between two of its main characters that probably surpassed the fights in The Avengers by far.
errr i definitely don’t think so.
All in all I totally disagree with your article but it not poorly written.Recommend
It’s alright guys, just enjoy the movie. Why are we killing talking ill about a job. Or is it that we are pakis and can’t say anything nice abt anything. Just let it be.Recommend
@sick of this nonsense:
It was for Marvel fans. You seem to be a DC boy :)
Geez! I think you’re actually right! I never really thought of that before… but like ‘em as much as I do, i don’t love ‘em as much as i do DC! ;)
If thats the case stick to Titanic.
Oh man! What was there to cry about in that movie?! Not that i’m talking about actually crying, but stuff that brings you to the edge emotionally… Like Keith, I Am Sam, Freedom Writers, Finding Neverland, Mysterious Skin, etc. And if you look at TV Series, then Awake, Friday Night Lights, Bones, etc.
(Chronicle) errr i definitely don’t think so.
Errr… but then again, I am probably the only person in my entire group of friends who loved Chronicle as much as I did! :)Recommend
@Rizvi:
No one died and made me a critic! But then again, i’m not looking to become a movie critic either. Just voicing my take on the movie and to see what others thought about it. Some may agree with me, some won’t.Recommend
Movies are watched for entertainment. You can’t watch a movie consisting of fictional super heroes and think it will leave a life changing impact on you.Recommend
Firstly People…. IT’S A BLOG! its supposed to be an OPINION! Relaaax… and then write your own reviews. then more reviews the more we can bash each other on our reviews.Recommend
well im really looking forward to see this movieRecommend