Earth's Mightiest Comic Flick

4-27-2012


Yes, I said it. This isn't hype. I have seen the footage and I'm making the call. After 5 years of buildup, Earth's mightiest heroes have finally joined forces to produce the most satisfying, cleverest and most exciting comic book movie this side of The Dark Knight. Marvel Studios has a hit on their hands and everybody's about to know it.


Now before anyone goes jumping down my throat, I do acknowledge that there are some really, really good comic movies already out there. As great as Iron Man was, as good as Captain America was, and as bad as Hulk is, something magical happened when they were put on the same screen together that made all of them better.  By the way let's not forget my man, Thor. He's kind of a big deal. 

"Cover my left."

Aaaand then you have 1998's Nick Fury: Agent of Shield, starring David Hasselhoff. A show that was so bad that IMDB didn't even include a picture. It's ok, I found one:

Once again, I'd like to thank South Korea for releasing The Avengers a week ahead of everybody else. We don't get everything and sometimes we get movies months later, but they always seem to come through on the big ones (thanks, piracy!). I watched it on the 25th, which was opening day, then again in IMAX 3D two days later. I enjoyed both tremendously, but I probably could have done without paying $17 for the 3D experience. It's cool for the first 5 minutes and then I forget it's there. 


 As for the film itself, it's got everything a comic movie should have: Conflict, laughs, and tons of action. Heroes beating up bad guys? Check. Heroes beating up HEROES? Check!  That's the best part of the movie in my opinion - the good guys getting it on with each other. I won't give away who throws down with who, but let's just say that it takes a while for this super team to get on the same page. As a whole, the best thing this movie does is ratchet up the status quo. It doesn't do anything that the other films haven't already done, it just does them better. However, it does hit the ground running since most of the back story has already been addressed in the other films, so if you haven't seen them, I suggest you hit Netflix before venturing forth to see The Avengers. It's not mandatory to enjoy the film by any means, but you will have a little better understanding of the characters and what they're up against. 

Does this put The Avengers into the sequel category? I think it absolutely does. It is the culmination of all the other films and at the same time a new beginning. It's Avengers #1. Can't wait for the next issue...






Grade: A+

The Hoff:
Agent of Questionable Attire