As I mentioned in my Batman review post Japan doesn’t always have the same theatrical release dates as Europe and North America. The majority of foreign films come out at a later time. They are still waiting for The Hunger Games, Prometheus and The Lorax to be released here while two of those 3 films are already out on DVD at home.
The Avengers is one of those films that had a later released date here in Japan. It opened the 17th of August, just over four months after it was released in North America and a month before it is due out on DVD at home. (I am excited as I already have my copy pre-ordered and my mother will be shipping it to me.)
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| Me being all excited |
I had already seen The Avengers back home in Toronto in May. I went with mom and we both really enjoyed it. I say it was the best film of 2012 so far (because there is still half a year to go, which includes the release of The Hobbit). At home I saw it in 2D, not really being drawn by 3D, not after being disappointed by 3D films. When I found out that the film still hadn’t come out here in Niihama I decided that I would go see it again (for the second time in theatres and the fifth time as a film because I did watch it online a few times) but this time I would watch it in 3D. I went with a few other foreigners who live in Niihama and the surrounding cities. Two of the people I went with had already seen the film as well, but for the three of us it would be the first time in 3D to see this.
Now onto the review, it will be a mix of my initial reaction from May and again seeing it here in Japan.
I thought the film was funny, full of action and it had its dramatic parts to give it something serious to make it a well-rounded film. I do have to say that seeing it in 3D was really cool, I am glad that I had the opportunity to see it that way. However it really didn’t add anything to spectacular to an already amazing movie – well the action scenes were more intense – but I would have been fine never seeing it in 3D.
I had been excited for The Avengers since watching Thor and hearing all about what was to come and especially hearing that Tom Hiddleston would be reprising his role as Loki and playing the villain. I had been on a Marvel comics super hero kick since watching X-Men: First Class last year and it has only grown since watching all the Iron Man movies. The Avengers seemed to cement my enjoyment of Marvel comic’s movies (so much better than DC comics stuff).
The scene of Loki coming to Earth (or Midgard) really sets off the tone for the film. It identifies that he will be a formidable enemy and the action of the scene follows his landing is intense and starts off the story with a bang. In 3D seeing those moments, along with all the actions scenes was just great. It really sets you into the action. As the movie progresses and each character is brought into the story you really see how each character will contribute to the team and how having the Avenger Initiative isn’t the easiest thing to do with all the differing personalities of the heroes. With the team not acting much like a team it takes the death of Agent Phil Coulson (“uhhh his first name is agent”) to really bring the team together and realize that they have to put aside their differences and come together to protect and avenge. What I liked about this coming together is that each character steps into their role without complaint and each plays into their own strengths and other’s strengths. The ending of the film with Thor and Loki returning to Asgard and everyone going off separately, will really make the sequel great to see when they all come back together. I also love that the other ending with Thanos sets up the next villain and leaves room to bring back Loki in the sequel because not only will Thanos be trying to get through the Avengers, but also he needs to find and hurt Loki who didn’t fulfil his promise.
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| My reaction to Phil Coulson's Death |
What I enjoyed besides the acting and the action was the writing and directing. Having Joss Whedon write and direct this was possibly the most brilliant move by Marvel. Joss has proven to be an amazing writer and a genius at combining the action, the scary along side the humour. Also Joss having written for the X-Men and other Marvel comics was the perfect choice as he clearly cares, respects and understands the comic world. He was able to make the dramatic parts have their weight, the action seem as though it was going to burst from the screen and made the comedic moments create a levity that didn’t ever stray into clownishness. The colouring and filming of the movie was also wonderful. It was bright, well coloured and just bordering on seeming unreal, but it never went to far it still felt grounded in a real world.
The thing I knew for sure that wasn’t going to be disappointing was the acting. The previous films proved that the casting departments had done excellent jobs when they were hiring for these roles. Mark Ruffalo was the real unknown, having not been in the previous Hulk film. However he stole the show (for the good guys). He was the right combination of nerdy Bruce Banner that hides the anger and keeps the Hulk at bay. I think that casting him was genius and I think they finally have found the right actor to play that dual role. Chris Evans is Captain America; he has the leadership to pull it off, even when being ignored by Tony Stark. Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner as Black Widow and Hawkeye were brilliant. Having had minor roles in Iron Man 2 (Scarlett) and Thor (Jeremy) they were finally given a chance to show exactly what they are good at, I hope that it translates into a movie for the two of them because I need to know what happened in Budapest! Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill was great. As one of my favourite TV actresses it was great to see her in this role, though I wish it was a little bigger, hopefully the sequel will expand what Cobie will be doing. Samuel L. Jackson – no words needed for this Mo***r F****r!
Also Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark or Tony Stark is Robert Downey Jr. there is literally no one else on the planet who could play that role. It was nice to see him take to that leader role that is missed in the Iron Man movies because it’s just Tony Stark, here we were able to see that Tony can be a leader and Robert played that wonderfully. Greg Clark as Agent Phil Coulson just seems to be a filler character that floats through all the Marvel films as a baby sitter, but that one scene with Loki finally shows that he is more than just a SHIELD agent. His “death” (because he has to come back) was poignant and makes the film so much more than just a popcorn blockbuster. Chris Hemsworth as Thor really shows how much he has grown as an actor and how much Thor has matured from the previous movie. The scenes that he has with Loki show an older brother that is trying to save his younger brother from madness, a brother who was broken hearted at the thought that he would be separated from Loki forever. I think that Chris played the scenes with this hurt and the right amount of anger because he knows that Loki won’t respond to anything else. I can’t wait for Thor 2 to see more of this mature Thor and more with his relationship with Loki.
Now, a little on my favourite character from the movie, Loki.
Tom Hiddleston really is the reason that Loki has quickly become the most loved character in The Avengers universe. He brings this heartache, this rage, madness and a broken edge to Loki, making the character more than just the “bad guy”. He makes Loki have depth and reasoning behind his actions. It was demonstrated in Thor that Loki believes that he is nothing more than a monster and from that hatred of himself you can see why he wants to rule. He just wants to be known for more than being a stolen relic, he wants to prove that he can be a king and I think he just wants someone to tell him that he is loved and special. All of this I think comes because of the performance that Tom gives. He makes you sympathize with the outcast Loki, he makes you really want to join his team because you can see in his eyes that he isn’t doing this out of some desire just for power. It’s all of this that makes Loki my favourite character in the film both to watch and story wise. It’s a good thing that Marvel/Disney have signed Tom Hiddleston for a 5-movie contract so after the sequel to Thor he will still be obligated for 2 more movies!
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| Tom being Loki |
That is my review of The Avengers. The best movie I have seen (so far) in 2012. It’s a movie that I think everyone should take the opportunity to see. If you want to read my other 2 film reviews here are the links.
Shame - Shame at TIFF 2011
The Dark Knight Rises - The Dark Knight Rises
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