At this stage, I seem to be about the only person (at least of those expressing opinions on-line) who
has any reservations about
The Avengers. The reviewer at the
Sun-Herald, Leigh Paatsch, apparently
loved it without reservations:
It is not often you can say this, but The Avengers is one $200 million-plus event flick where not a single cent has been wasted.
The special-effects work is spectacular, especially during two truly awesome set-piece battle sequences.
The first, aboard an airborne weapons carrier, is brilliant enough.
The second, an all-stops-out skirmish on the streets of a busy city, will leave viewers gasping.
Overall, The Avengers is a fist-pumping cause for celebration for comic-book hard-liners and action fans alike.
I was a bit surprised by your earlier comment, given that Rotten Tomatoes has a whopping 96% rating for the film. But as a big Whedon fan I expect I'll enjoy it, even if it is too heavy on the action. (I really want to see a Whedon musical!)
ReplyDeleteBTW did you see it in 3D? I've never seen a film in 3D, and was wondering whether to make this my first one.
I actually saw it in 2-D.
ReplyDeleteI had the choice, but I still tend to prefer 2-D ... with 3-D at its current stage of development. But by all means give it a try (and please report back on the experience if you do).
And again, I did actually enjoy it and would probably even watch it again. But I think it's flawed in ways that would make it a less attractive proposition to someone who is not already a fan of the characters. Judged by that standard, X-Men: First Class, for example, seemed to me to be much better.
ReplyDeleteBut as I said in a discussion on Facebook earlier today, I had that lump-in-the-throat feeling at times while watching The Avengers. But then again those times tended to character beats that would be much less meaningful for someone who is not already a fan of Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, etc., etc.
X-Men: First Class was pretty awesome but in my opinion was on par with the Avengers.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I saw it in 3D. I think it probably heightened the experience but not by much.
'X-Men: First Class, for example, seemed to me to be much better.'
ReplyDeleteI agree entirely. There again, The Avengers was reasonably true to what I remember of the comics, i.e. all about the big, sprawling set-piece battles. And it was pretty enjoyable, on its own terms.
(I fear my expectations may have been skewed by Mark Millar's treatment in The Ultimates!)
"an all-stops-out skirmish on the streets of a busy city"
ReplyDeleteA what what in the how, now?