The Avengers (Joss Whedon)

[Watashi]

Ugh.

It's a joke.

AO Scott is even playing along.

[[ETM]]

[TGM]

Personal matters prevented me from being able to attend the midnight showing last night, but hopefully I'll be able to catch a showing at some point today.

[Dead & Messed Up]

This was very fun. Recalls Iron Man in how it's a comedy based on dialogue with action breaks. The ending is all just a bunch of shit happening that doesn't really matter because who cares about all these alien robots anyway, but Whedon makes it more about the heroes' strategy, which is wise.

And the Hulk lurches away with the whole movie. Did not expect.

[[ETM]]

Hahaha, so they actually got Lou Ferrigno to say Hulk's one and only line in the film. :lol:

[Fezzik]

I went to the midnight show and damn, they did it.

This movie turned me into a kid. This is a good thing.

Some of my thoughts (borrowed from my Facebook post):

1 - Whedon might be the only one who could have pulled this off. His ability to write coupled with his experience balancing big ensemble casts (Buffy, Firefly) made him the perfect guy to write this screenplay.

2 - Any accusations that Whedon can't do big budget right can now be laid to rest. The set pieces were crazy, but well defined and easy to follow.

3 - Mark Ruffalo was a freaking revelation as Bruce Banner / The Hulk. I am VERY happy that they signed him to 6 movies, because after last night I never want to see anyone else play the part.

4 - THEY GOT THE HULK RIGHT. Whedon's love for comic books really pays off here. It's about time. I got teary a couple of times when Hulk was being Hulk.

5 - I was shocked at how EVERYONE (including Hawkeye and Black Widow) got their moment to shine. Especially Black Widow. I LOVE her expanded role in his film. I shouldn't be surprised, I guess. Whedon LOVES his strong women.

6 - Hiddleston is so much fun as Loki, its ridiculous.

7 - The interplay between Cap, Iron Man and Thor is perfect.

8 - There are /two/ after credits scenes. One takes place in the middle of the credits, one at the very end.

In the end, I am sure I will find flaws on later viewings, but right now I don't care. I have never had that much fun watching a film. Whedon woke my inner child last night. I left the theatre wanting to be a superhero, like I did when I was a kid.

Just a mind-blowing success.

PS - "mewling quim" might be the most elegant insult I've ever heard in a film

[Mara]

Damn, great cameos.

MARA. YOU WILL LOVE THEM.

I keep cycling around about whether I want to see this. I'm back to wanting to.

[number8]

I had to explain to people what mewling quim was after the film, and got a look of disgust. It's a fantastic villain line.

Also, THAT SHOT. You guys know what shot I'm talking about, right?

[Fezzik]

Also, THAT SHOT. You guys know what shot I'm talking about, right?

Do tell. Spoiler tag it if you have to, but you have me intrigued.

[number8]

[

Show Spoiler

The tracking shot that runs through the battle zone, following one Avenger to the next. There's nothing new about its conception or execution, but it's so well done and so effective at getting you giddy. It's the cinematic equivalent of a comic book splash page.

]

[Fezzik]

[

Show Spoiler

The tracking shot that runs through the battle zone, following one Avenger to the next. There's nothing new about its conception or execution, but it's so well done and so effective at getting you giddy. It's the cinematic equivalent of a comic book splash page.

]

Oh...THAT. Yeah. I agree about nothing new about it, but the fact that it was done - EFFECTIVELY - in a superhero movie during a balls to the wall action sequence is pretty damned impressive.

And it felt like a big ol' middle finger to the proponents of shaky cam, which is fine with me.

[Morris Schæffer]

That shot isn't something I even picked up at all which, I suppose, is high praise. Now I'd like to see the movie again for that scene (and many others) and truly savour it.

Anyone excited now about the revelation of [

Show Spoiler

Thanos

] at the end? I'm not well versed in Marvel lore to be myself, but I'd like to hear what others think of it.

Anyone caught Ruffalo almost getting out of character right after he's poked by Stark in the lab? There's a tiny smile that seems to say "Shit Robert, I hadn't expected that."

I'm so glad you puny Americans now finally get to also enjoy (and have enjoyed) what is sure to be one of the greatest blockbusters of the past five years.

[Morris Schæffer]

And it felt like a big ol' middle finger to the proponents of shaky cam, which is fine with me.

This movie is, given the chaos, smooth as butter. It's quite remarkable.

[number8]

By the way:

[

Show Spoiler

Whedon, you asshole, you got me. AGAIN. I was surprised by how upset I was.

Agent Coulson... You are a leaf in the wind.

]

[Boner M]

By the way:

[

Show Spoiler

Whedon, you asshole, you got me. AGAIN. I was surprised by how upset I was.

Agent Coulson... You are a leaf in the wind.

]

Ha, just saw it again and was surprised at how much harder that bit hit the second time around.

[number8]

I think I'd watch a movie of just RDJ coming up with funny nicknames for all all the superheroes. "Legolas" and "Point Break" were my favorite.

[number8]

Also, my favorite post-credits scene so far. Just hilarious.

I'm rambling.

[Dukefrukem]

So is the after credit reveal going to be the enemy in IM3?

[number8]

So is the after credit reveal going to be the enemy in IM3?

[

Show Spoiler

You think Iron Man is going to fight a schwarma cook? What?

]

[Fezzik]

So is the after credit reveal going to be the enemy in IM3?

I'm guessing Avengers 2. Although to be honest, he has ties to multiple heroes. But if they're going where I think and are going to do

[

Show Spoiler

The Infinity Gauntlet

]

for the sequel, my brain might melt.

[Fezzik]

Also, my favorite post-credits scene so far. Just hilarious.

I'm rambling.

The end, end credits sequence one? Yes. Freaking hilarious.

[Fezzik]

I think I'd watch a movie of just RDJ coming up with funny nicknames for all all the superheroes. "Legolas" and "Point Break" were my favorite.

I was just telling my friends about this. I was hoping he'd come up with more.

[number8]

The end, end credits sequence one? Yes. Freaking hilarious.

[

Show Spoiler

Did I notice right? That Hawkeye wasn't eating and just stared at everybody? I also love how Thor looked like he's contemplating what he's eating and Cap seemed confused. God, I need to see this again.

]

[Morris Schæffer]

We didn't get that final scene in Belgium which is just lame especially since it sounds indeed hilarious. If anyone finds it online, please post it!

[number8]

Yeah, the second scene is only shown in the US because they just shot it like 2 weeks ago. The cast were at the LA premiere and right after it Joss just brought out wardrobe and told them to gather up for a quick shoot.