The Cultured Nerd

Short Spoiler-Free Review:

The Avengers presents everything a summer blockbuster requires. Action, Drama,  Humor, and Heartache. First announced back in 2008 (Rumors of its production started as early as 2005) fans didn’t believe this movie was possible. An epic ensemble with its build up from 5 separate, yet connected, movies. From its roots IronMan, IronMan 2, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, and Captain America: The First Avenger, fans have tried to piece together what a movie like this would be, but most of all, they tried to imagine how it would be possible.

The movie shouldn’t have worked. Its reputation, its hype, its build up, should have ruined it, And if it was any other movie it would have. But it didn’t.

The Avengers was directed by Cult favorite Joss Whedon (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Serenity, Dollhouse) work has created him a reputation that sometimes can precede him, but he delivered more than anyone could have ever imagined. The entire movie feels like a third act to an epic story that first started with IronMan and was building up from these 5 movies. What caught me off guard, and surprised me the most, was how amazingly funny it was. I experienced something I had not seen since I was a child, people laughed out loud, and hard.  People cheered and laughed some more, it was like a theater performance, people loved it, ate it up, and were enveloped by it. It transcended the everyday movie and became an experience.

Some may ask, “Should I see the other 5 to understand the Avengers?” Short answer, Yes. But you don’t have to.

I took my wife over the weekend to see this movie, and she had only seen about 30 minutes of the first IronMan, and 45 of Captain America, in short, she likes Superhero movies, but hasn’t bothered to really watch any of them. She loved it. Absolutely loved it. But, for every moment she didn’t understand, she would lean over and ask a question, and by the halfway point of the movie, I had answered over two dozen. After the movie, she pulled me aside, and told me that the movie was amazing, and she would want to see it again, but first she would want to sit down and watch the other 5.

Bottom line. The Avengers is everything a fan would hope it to be, and more than what the average movie goer will expect. You don’t need to be a fan to enjoy the movie, but if you have taken the time to see the other 5, this movie will do exactly what you want for these characters. It is not the perfect comic book/superhero movie, but it is damn close.

The Avengers 4.5/5 – A

Below the break is a Longer Spoiler-Filled Review

*If you do not want key moments of the movie ruined for you, do not read any further.*