Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Take 2: The Avengers

Tuesday: My "take" on a film.




Avengers assemble!

WARNING: Spoiler alert.  The following post will give away key moments, as well as the ending.

It's hard enough to write a script with one protagonist, so I was excited to see The Avengers to observe how they handled multiple lead characters, portrayed by a strong cast. (Whew. Not a challenge I would take on any time soon!) They pulled it off though, with well-balanced scenes and action.

(I do have to admit I had a couple favorites and enjoyed their screen-time the most... and it had absolutely nothing to do with the eye-candy factor... really!)

Now, on to the antagonist. I like it when the "bad guy" isn't all bad but has some good in him, even if it's just a smidgeon. When I saw Thor (2011) I actually liked Loki (Tom Hiddleston). My heart ached for him as I saw him struggle for the attention and approval of his "father," Odin (Anthony Hopkins).

So call me an optimist, but during The Avengers I never gave up hope that Loki would turn to the good. I thought maybe the pleading words of his brother, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), would eventually soften Loki's heart. And when The Hulk (Mark Ruffalobeat the snot out of him (one of the best surprise comedy moments of the film!) I hoped it knocked some sense in. That expectation was kindled even more when, after his beating, Loki awoke to find himself surrounded by The Avengers and muttered, "If it's all the same to you, I think I will have that drink."

Apparently his turning to the good side was not meant to be... in this film. But, I still have hope! (Please tell me there will be a sequel for Loki!)

What worked: Well-balanced scenes with strong lead characters, and fantastic comic relief throughout. In fact, I found myself wanting to read the screenplay (even though it's not my genre) to see how the screenwriter, Joss Whedon, paced the action, humor, and the characters within the pages.

What didn't work: Sometimes the CGI (computer-generated imagery) took me out of the story. Most of the time it was amazing, but during some scenes the obvious computer images reminded me it was all make-believe... bringing me back to reality.

Trailer: The Avengers (2012)

1 comment:

  1. Yeah! When The Hulk picks up Loki and sends him thru the air back and forth, I found myself really cracking up! I really loved this movie, which surprised me as it's not my kind of flick.

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