!["The Avengers" (2012)](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/d2/d1/1359605496_1795_avengers.jpg?itok=CMBQS-05 ""The Avengers" (2012)")
Throwing seven superheroes together from six previous films into one movie could easily blow up into cinematic disaster.
Aside from writing a cohesive story, providing jaw-dropping special effects, and staying true to the comics, one would also need to delicately shoehorn all seven personalities into one movie.
Director Joss Whedon succeeds on all of the above counts, and fans of the previous six films and the associated comic books probably declare him the eighth superhero of “The Avengers.”
14. "The Avengers" - Whedon truly created a blistering adventure picture which spouts and dazzles on screen, while not losing sight of the picture’s real strength, its characters.
Brought together by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), of a secretive law enforcement agency called S.H.I.E.L.D., Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) unwillingly form an alliance of superheroes.
This group of modern-day warriors each possess their own specific powers and strengths, and they’ll need every ounce of their collective efforts to defeat Thor’s brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston).
Although not a physical threat, Loki pulls together an alien army to execute his dirty work on an unsuspecting Planet Earth.
I must admit the run up to the climatic battle between good and evil takes a while before it bears fruit.
Clocking in at 2 hours and 23 minutes, the film does drag in the middle as Loki’s second move of his three-part plan doesn’t generate enough of a payoff, but the final fight between friends and foes offers oodles of chaotic action and its fun watching the Avengers use teamwork to deliver superhuman blows.
It’s an impressive spectacle that needs to be enjoyed on the big screen or a rather large flat screen at home, and fans will do themselves a massive disservice by watching “The Avengers” on an iPod.
Aside from the blistering kinetic action, the seven lead actors balance plenty of argumentative tension during the team-forming phase and Downey Jr. and Ruffalo offer the biggest highlights and laughs.
Ruffalo, in particular, brings an additional layer to the Bruce Banner/Hulk character we haven’t seen before, and not only do all seven actors gel together, this movie is also surprisingly very funny.
“The Avengers” is truly one of the best superhero films of all-time, and Whedon and his talented gang will have a tough time topping this picture.
Then again, in the Marvel Universe, anything is possible.
“The Avengers 2” is scheduled for a 2015 release.
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