THE AVENGERS - archive from 2nd May 2012.

Saw 'THE AVENGERS' last night, and subsequently saw it again with my young lad and a mate in tow. For the first time on the big screen this live action offering brings together the Marvel stable of Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Captain America and lesser known heroes Hawkeye and Black Widow led by S.H.I.E.L.D helmsman Nick Fury. The former four Superheroes you may have seen in their own individual films that have done huge Box Office singularly and collectively, and have helped cement Marvel Studio into the movie production powerhouse that it now is.

This is G-R-E-A-T entertainment make no mistake - it's big, bold, brash and well done with a stellar cast - Robert Downey Jnr. (Iron Man), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Scarlett Johanssen (Black Widow) and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) brought together to do Earth shattering battle with the evil Loki (Thor's brother, played with menacing aplomb by Tom Hiddleston) from Asgard. 

The story essentially surrounds Loki who has been promised that if he can secure 'The Tesseract' (a mightily powerful energy source who's potential is not fully understood) then he will be given an army with which to overpower Earth. The Tesseract is located on Earth and is under the watchful eye and close scrutiny of S.H.I.E.L.D. Scientists, and when visited by Fury the Tesseract activates opening a worm hole that allows Loki to gain access to Earth. Upon arrival Loki seizes control of the Tesseract and makes off with it, but not before leaving a path of destruction and mayhem in his wake. 

This of course prompts Fury to reactivate 'The Avengers Initiative' bringing our merry band of Superheroes together to defeat Loki, seize back the Tesseract, and save our humble little planet! Along the way of course our Superheroes allow their over sized egos to get in the way of their mission; they fall out, fight, argue, kiss and make up and ultimately save the day in downtown New York in what is a great action set piece that seems never to let up!

Joss Whedon who has Directed and wrote the story and screenplay has done a terrific job in bringing this to the big screen and his vision is pitch perfect - great action set pieces, humorous one liners, big boys toys, other worldly foes, and equal screen time for the major players. This film was shot for a budget of US$220M and raked in an astonishing US$1.52B at the global Box Office making it the biggest grossing film of 2012, and the third highest grossing film of all time. There are a whole bunch of other vital statistics about this film that underscores its greatness, which you can review in your own time and if you are so inclined. In addition, the film scored a nomination at both the Academy Awards and BAFTA's for Best Visual Effects, and all up world wide it brought in 30 award wins and 65 nominations.

Suffice to say, a sequel is on its way - 'The Avengers : Age of Ultron' is due for release on 23rd April 2015 - also Written and Directed by Joss Whedon and with an estimated budget this time around of US$250M . . . it's gonna be big, and it will bring your favourite Superhero friends together again, and possibly a few more - can't wait!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-