The Avengers

[makattak]

My wife and I went to see Avengers tonight. We opted for 3D because as long as we're getting a night out might as well get the full experience.

Succinctly: we both loved it. Without giving any spoliers:

Jose Whedon did not disappoint. The actors were well cast and had great chemistry.

It had the right mix of seriousness, humor, and action.

The enemy was a challenge but not the overwhelming power that leaves the heroes with no chance but for a last second miracle like most such movies. (Though there were some last second heroics.)

Robert Downey Jr. provided great snark. The Hulk provided lots of humor. Even the "minor" heroes were very compelling.

One spoiler: there is a little scene after the credits and SURPRISE SURPRISE there are also hints for a sequel.

Great summer blockbuster.

[zxcvbob]

Who'd they get to play "Emma Peel"?  (Diana Rigg is gettin' pretty old)

[BlueStarLizzard]

I can't wait. The only team member origin movie I havn't seen is The Hulk. I saw the crappy one, but not the edward norten one.
Me and Dad will have to figure out when to go this weekend.

I hope they have some background on the Black Widow and Hawk Eye.

I will admit that the black Nick Fury is still a sore spot, but I like Sam Jackson so much, I can ignore it.

[makattak]

I forgot to mention that the movie theatre broke out in applause at the end and a massive line was waiting outside for the next showing.

[erictank]

My wife and I went to see Avengers tonight. We opted for 3D because as long as we're getting a night out might as well get the full experience.

Succinctly: we both loved it. Without giving any spoliers:

Jose Whedon did not disappoint. The actors were well cast and had great chemistry.

It had the right mix of seriousness, humor, and action.

The enemy was a challenge but not the overwhelming power that leaves the heroes with no chance but for a last second miracle like most such movies. (Though there were some last second heroics.)

Robert Downey Jr. provided great snark. The Hulk provided lots of humor. Even the "minor" heroes were very compelling.

One spoiler: there is a little scene after the credits and SURPRISE SURPRISE there are also hints for a sequel.

Great summer blockbuster.

Note - the sequel hint is right after the movie, BEFORE the credits. There is also another little scene (which ties into a line in the final battle) after the credits are over. Adds nothing to the story, but was hilarious.

BSL, the '08 'The Incredible Hulk' was not highly received, but I thought it was pretty good. It certainly was far better than the '03 Ang Lee-directed 'Hulk'. Norton did a great job with the character, I thought - too bad he and Marvel couldn't come to an agreement on the salary for 'The Avengers', I'd have liked to see him reprise the role. Ruffalo did a much better job with it in 'The Avengers' than I thought he would, though.

[TommyGunn]

Who'd they get to play "Emma Peel"?  (Diana Rigg is gettin' pretty old)

You beat me to it.  
I was going to wonder if John Steed was in it (currently 90).
Emma Peel* may be "old" but maybe Purdey (Joanna Lumley) could do a cameo (she's only 66).

*Diana Rigg is currently 73 years old.  

But alas, these aren't the same "Avengers."

[Battle Monkey of Zardoz]

We just got back from seeing it. 3d was awesome. The movie was the best movie I've seen in years. Whedon raised the bar to the next level. Story was great, they were true to each hero's story, and that was no small task for this movie. I loved the SHIELD Heli-Carrier. Ruffalo did a great job as Banner/Hulk. Reminded me a little of Bill Bixby. I hated the Norton Hulk, story was crap and Edward Norton is a *expletive deleted*it actor. I preferred Ang Lees Hulk, minus all that Nolte crap. In Lee's Hulk, they portrayed the Hulk right. That is my only grip about the Avengers, Hulk was not big enough.

[birdman]

It was simply awesome.
Best action movie I've seen in literally years.

[SteveS]

Note - the sequel hint is right after the movie, BEFORE the credits. There is also another little scene (which ties into a line in the final battle) after the credits are over. Adds nothing to the story, but was hilarious.

BSL, the '08 'The Incredible Hulk' was not highly received, but I thought it was pretty good. It certainly was far better than the '03 Ang Lee-directed 'Hulk'. Norton did a great job with the character, I thought - too bad he and Marvel couldn't come to an agreement on the salary for 'The Avengers', I'd have liked to see him reprise the role. Ruffalo did a much better job with it in 'The Avengers' than I thought he would, though.

It made more than 250 million, so I'd say it was fairly well received. 

[erictank]

It made more than 250 million, so I'd say it was fairly well received. 

That much? I'm honestly surprised, I'd never looked to see what the box office was on that.  Domestic, or worldwide? Anyways, all I ever hear from anyone, pretty much, is that it was at best unremarkable. I thought it really was good - not as good as Iron Man, of course, but still good. One of the positive factors for me was that while the Hulk was huge, he wasn't 15 feet tall or anything. Eight and a half or so, like in the '08 Hulk or Avengers? Dead-on, as far as I'm concerned - that's right about where he's usually portrayed in the comics, from everything I've ever seen. He's supposed to get STRONGER when he gets angry, not TALLER . Bana did a fair job in the '03 movie, but he wasn't great, the writing was worse, the story was worse, and the directing just didn't work for me. And don't get me started on Nick Nolte, the amazing Absorbing Dad, and his radioactive attack poodle .

[RevDisk]

Banner and the Hulk I think overshadowed all the other heroes. Epic levels of awesome sauce.

I'm not fond of Captain America. I did want to cheer whenever he got smashed flat by whomever.

Stark was good, but not extremely over the top like in his own movies. Which make sense.

Black Widow, she had two scenes where she really shined and played them perfectly.

Loki, I dunno, I think they've been doing him a disservice by making him look so weak and egotistical.

Thor, did a good but not spectacular job.

[SteveS]

That much? I'm honestly surprised, I'd never looked to see what the box office was on that.  Domestic, or worldwide? Anyways, all I ever hear from anyone, pretty much, is that it was at best unremarkable. I thought it really was good - not as good as Iron Man, of course, but still good. One of the positive factors for me was that while the Hulk was huge, he wasn't 15 feet tall or anything. Eight and a half or so, like in the '08 Hulk or Avengers? Dead-on, as far as I'm concerned - that's right about where he's usually portrayed in the comics, from everything I've ever seen. He's supposed to get STRONGER when he gets angry, not TALLER . Bana did a fair job in the '03 movie, but he wasn't great, the writing was worse, the story was worse, and the directing just didn't work for me. And don't get me started on Nick Nolte, the amazing Absorbing Dad, and his radioactive attack poodle .

I think it was worldwide, then another 60 million for DVD sales.  I liked it, but it was probably my least favorite out of any of the "Avengers".  I avoided the '03 Hulk, as I heard nothing but bad things about it.

[MechAg94]

That much? I'm honestly surprised, I'd never looked to see what the box office was on that.  Domestic, or worldwide? Anyways, all I ever hear from anyone, pretty much, is that it was at best unremarkable. I thought it really was good - not as good as Iron Man, of course, but still good. One of the positive factors for me was that while the Hulk was huge, he wasn't 15 feet tall or anything. Eight and a half or so, like in the '08 Hulk or Avengers? Dead-on, as far as I'm concerned - that's right about where he's usually portrayed in the comics, from everything I've ever seen. He's supposed to get STRONGER when he gets angry, not TALLER . Bana did a fair job in the '03 movie, but he wasn't great, the writing was worse, the story was worse, and the directing just didn't work for me. And don't get me started on Nick Nolte, the amazing Absorbing Dad, and his radioactive attack poodle .

I thought the '03 Hulk could have been a good movie without Nolte and without the constant split screen comic book crap.  Those two things make it hard to watch in reruns. 

I was planning on seeing Avengers in Theater.  I guess I need to plan on sooner rather than later.

[roo_ster]

Note - the sequel hint is right after the movie, BEFORE the credits. There is also another little scene (which ties into a line in the final battle) after the credits are over. Adds nothing to the story, but was hilarious.

BSL, the '08 'The Incredible Hulk' was not highly received, but I thought it was pretty good. It certainly was far better than the '03 Ang Lee-directed 'Hulk'. Norton did a great job with the character, I thought - too bad he and Marvel couldn't come to an agreement on the salary for 'The Avengers', I'd have liked to see him reprise the role. Ruffalo did a much better job with it in 'The Avengers' than I thought he would, though.

Is that the one I think of as "The Incredibly Sad Hulk?"  The one where he was whining & emoting all over the place I wanted to shove a hanky through the silver screen?

[Pharmacology]

Avengers Hulk is best hulk,   but Norton  is best Banner.   Deal with it.

[freakazoid]

One of the best movies I've seen in a long time.
Please tell me you stayed till after all the credits!!
I was really hoping that they would have Banner walking down a road trying to hitch hike.

[Viking]

"Puny god"