The Avengers (2012) Review: Story, Verdict & Where to Watch

Assembling the Unlikeliest of Heroes

The Avengers hit theaters in June of 2012, and was more than just another superhero movie. It was the conclusion of the highly elaborate Marvel Cinematic Universe, and led the way to other films that would follow. Every Hero has a beginning, and the beginning of this film is Nick Fury dealing with a problem that is bigger than one man. That is where Fury recruits Tony Stark who needs some convincing, Thor, Bruce Banner, and Steve Rogers. Fury then recruits Black Widow and Hawkeye. The purpose of the story isnt to save the universe, but to save Ethos, and bring a group of very strong and very self important people together as a team, which is a very difficult task. The film does a great job showing the ripple effect of distrust and first The film brilliantly shows the ripple effect of distrust and first shows the distrust. It beautifully sets up the character and puts a great deal of humor in the early portion of the film. Critics say that focusing on the "humanity of the heroes" pays off and this along with the diversity of the superheroes, made this film a very good movie.

A Symphony of Superpower and Wit

There are many reasons to watch The Avengers. However, the greatest thing about this film is the intricacy and balance of all the elements that could easily overwhelm each other. What Joss Whedon was able to do with this movie is weave together all the action, characters, and hilariously witty dialogue so that it is not a simple spectacle of effects. Each member of the ensemble is afforded a great deal of the plot and character development. In this movie, Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America offer the majority of the quick-witted banter and sarcasm. However, I think that Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner brings a level of vulnerability to his character that makes his struggle with the Hulk really compelling. In addition to the actual emotion that Ruffalo brings to the character, the effects for the Hulk are really well done and most importantly serve the story. The action sequences are incredibly well done; they start with small fights and escalate to a street-to-street, city-level fight, and still, seem to be really well organized. “Superpowered set pieces” was a term used by critics, and “all the personalities and ingredients” were successfully combined to create “an irresistibly tasty” dish.

Who Should Answer the Call?

Those into action-adventure and superheroes alike can appreciate “The Avengers.” Little by little, the franchise cleverly builds an action-focused world. Large conflicts offer a solid stage for storytelling and character development, while an appropriate dose of comedy balances the framework. The leading actors pull off great performances with one another. The fantasy elements are balanced with emotion and relatability. Overall, the film brings together the things people love and therefore succeeds in amazing fans. Some fans find superhero tropes redundant and the style a little overdone. People into grounded and gritty stories probably aren’t going to enjoy this film. The film makes a sincere effort to have an accessible story, but the enjoyment of the story is heightened by the watcher’s previous schooling in the individual hero films. Some critics noted a "clamorous" and overdone “save-the-world” plot, but reviewers pretty much agree the film made the story and character arcs worthwhile, with little overreliance on superhero cliches.

A Defining Moment for the Genre

It's easy to see that The Avengers is a monumental film that both lives up to and surpasses all expectations. Complex character arcs interweave with incredible action alongside hilarious moments to tell an entertaining and clever story. The film also proves that a connected universe of films can work, and in the process completely reshapes what we can expect from the superhero genre. The positive reception from critics who said it's "buoyant, witty, entertaining," and the positive audience reception from everyone shows that The Avengers clearly belongs in the canon of films that people not only enjoy, but also should see. An impressive amount of excitement can be built around a plot that often feels stale, but when you have an incredible amount of passion for telling the story you put together, it can feel exciting and new again. It's not for hardcore comic fans only. It's a smart, creative blockbuster film for all audiences.