Director: Joss Whedon
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Tom Hiddleston
Running Time: 137 minutes
Certificate: 12
Extras: Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Marvel One-Shot: item 47, A Visual Journey: Behind The Scenes
It seems every year is a ‘comic-book movie year’ and 2012 has been no exception. Arguably the biggest (and most anticipated?) release this year is AVENGERS ASSEMBLE, which has Hulk-smashed its way past $1.5 billion (and counting) at the worldwide box office. Now released on your favourite home entertainment formats, does the movie still pack the same thrilling punch on the small screen?
What has to be applauded above everything else win AVENGERS ASSEMBLE is the incredible job editors Jeffrey Ford and Lisa Lassek (along with director Joss Whedon) have done in compiling the most exhilarating 45 minutes of film you may ever see: the climactic battle in New York is an extraordinary feat. Weaved together are six separate characters each scrapping with such fluidity it’s impossible to take your eyes from the screen – big or small. AVENGERS ASSEMBLE isn’t completely perfect however: at 2 hours 17 minutes the film feels bloated with a lot of time wasted on the S.H.I.E.L.D. helipad after the main protagonists are introduced. Also, the beginning is overly dependant on knowledge of the previous films. You’ll get the gist if you haven’t seen the other Marvel Studios films, but something could be missing – particularly if the first 15 minutes prove hard to follow.
A resounding thumbs up must be given to the pitch-perfect screenplay. Fans of Joss Whedon have been wittering on about his prowess with the pen for years, and it seems entirely justified – his script is full of humour, and has a tremendous appreciation of what each character brings to the story. Performance-wise, Mark Ruffalo encapsulates Bruce Banner lovingly, and Downey Jr and Hemsworth continue where they left off in their respective solo outings. It has to be said Jeremy Renner looks particularly lost as Hawkeye; sadly his lack of charisma means he fails to grab the screen like the others, and Johansson and Evans are solid but nothing special. However, above all of these is Tom Hiddleston as Loki. With six protagonists each vying for the screen, Hiddleston silently walks in with a silly hat and steals your attention – it’s testament to his screen presence and the script this is possible and is imperative in keeping the audience involved. Otherwise it would just be two hours of bickering super-heroes.
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE is a brilliant piece of work. It’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it has enough to please casual fans and comic-book fans alike. Joss Whedon has put every single cent of the reported $220 million budget on-screen and it is hard to see how five films could have been segued into one any better. It’s overlong yes, but it’s fantastic entertainment and I challenge you not to have a smile on your face come the end.
Extras: Check out our in-depth look at the disc extras here.
AVENGERS ASSEMBLE is available on Blu-ray and DVD now and can be purchased here
