Review: This action packed cinematic blockbuster is another instalment in in the comic book series of films delivered by Marvel Studios (including the obligatory Stan Lee cameo) and my is it enjoyable. The Avengers ties together a series of other Marvel film franchises centred primarily around the recently released and immensely popular 'Iron Man'. The plot for this flick is no 'Inception', but it's excusable given the sheer immensity of every other element. The Avengers (made up of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye) are called together by Nick Fury, the head of SHIELD to battle Loki (Thor's estranged adopted younger brother for those not versed in their intergalactic Marvel bad guys). The first part of the film brings you up to scratch on the back-story for each of the characters - mostly for the viewers that have spent the last five years in some sort of Josef Fritzl Austrian dungeon. This is followed quickly with an Avengers 'get to know each other' session (Jerry Springer style) and eventually culminates in a monstrous Avengers vs. Loki and his inter-dimensional army battle. Now despite the simplicity of the plot and back-story the film rides seamlessly along on the performance and chemistry between each of the characters (played admirably by an all star cast as long as Ron Jeremy's **cough** little Iron Man **cough**), in addition to the perpetually mind-blowing battle scenes. It would be remiss of me to not mention specifically the performance by Mark Ruffalo, who slides easily into the role of Bruce Banner. I was a particular fan of Edward Norton's previous resurrection of the Hulk franchise (after it was miserably destroyed by Eric Bana) and if Ed couldn't make it for this flick then Ruffalo is surely the next best option. Banner's alter-ego (often referred to as 'the other guy') is also immensely enjoyable to watch as he lays the smack down on friend and foe alike. The movie maintains a fairly light-hearted feel to it despite the apocalyptic trans-dimensional wormhole battle and for those comic book nerds (including yours truly) it's an absolute delight to see the courageous yet dysfunctional (as per the true Marvel hero mold) protagonists come together to defend the earth from what would surely be certain destruction. Despite director Joss Whedon's (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Toy Story) relative lack of experience in directing epic blockbusters such as this, the film ties together quite nicely and is an ocular delight. All in all another thoroughly enjoyable addition to the Marvel franchise that will leave you with urge to either be exposed to gamma radiation or a sudden penchant for mini arc-reactors.
Score: 4/5
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