Marvel Avengers Assemble

We’ve had reboots, prequels, sequels, three-quels, trilogies, quadrilogies, anthologies and everything in between in the comic book genre, but Marvel Avengers Assemble is certainly the first of its kind. Years in the making amidst fan boy’s high expectations, massive studio promises and feverish anticipation, the team up geeks’ dreams are made of is finally here. And what a glorious and shameless crowd pleasing blockbuster it is!

The plot is almost inconsequential when it enables the team up of Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, Evans’s Captain America, Hemsworth’s Thor  and Ruffalo’s (replacing Edward Norton as the “Big Guy’s alter ego) Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Aided by S.H.E.L.D. agents Black Widow(Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), the superheroes assemble to thwart the evil plan orchestrated by the adopted and malignant brother of Thor - Loki. Loki previously seen in Thor last year, plots world domination by allying with an alien army hell bent on destruction and enslavement of the planet.

The real star of this show however, is writer-director Joss Whedon. The film lives or dies by the careful balancing act of these huge cultural and cinematic icons. Sceptics would assume that the pithy sarcasm of Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark would over-shadow this ensemble and make this Iron Man 3. However, thanks to Whedon’s superb screenplay and assured direction every hero gets his due and moment to shine. Perhaps the greatest achievement of the film is that no single hero emerges as the “star”.  Sure The Hulk has some of the finale’s most exhilarating and amusing moments but the other characters all have their essential roles to play in this “team”. This is a carefully executed ensemble piece realised by terrific actors who are clearly having about as much fun as the popcorn throwing audience.

Whedon also deserves praise for the delightful balanced tone of the movie. The film has more laughs than most of the recent Adam Sandler output combined but still retains an emotional core. Hiddleston as Loki chews any scenery around him but never verges out of his sinister malignance and is wonderfully imposing as a villain. The only issue is that he is never a real threat that would emphatically challenge these heroes – something surely will be addressed in the eventual sequels.

The first summer blockbuster of the season is here and sets the bar with a mercilessly pleasing vengeance.

4/5