THE AVENGERS (2012) Post-Release - Page 6

Yeah, but we don't want spoilers to pop up on the main board page pre-US release.

In any case, I'm sure the cat's already out of the bag about there being this amazing scene where people in a coffee shop look out the window in awe at something.

 

 

 

I think you're getting confused with Hawkeye's first action beat with the Chitauris... That is a shot where the one in the middle gets taken out by an arrow through the eye.

 

During my upcoming third viewing, I will pay particular attention to those scenes so we can set the record straight once and for all.

 

 

Naw, you were right the first time, a post-release is no-holds-barred. That's how we roll. The vast majority of films have staggered global release dates. No one should be in here unless they have seen the film or don't care about spoilers. We have a perfectly good pre-release thread. It's not that hard.

The thread is no-holds barred, but since we all use the 'new posts' page... it's about trying to avoid making blatant spoilers visible on it.

 

But this does bring up the point about providing the same courtesy for territories outside of the US when we get the movies first.

I could give two shits about spoilers in the thread. It's called post-release for a reason. And even in the "New posts" page the name of the thread clearly preceeds the post preview. Avert ye eyes o spoilerphobes. But yeah, I'd love to see if this attitude persists when a movie comes out in the US first.

I know that I'm going to try to be more sensitive about it for later movies that the US gets first.

 

POLICE ME!

Sounds like a challenge! Bring on Prometheus so I can litter the post-release thread with comments headed by blithe, unimportant, non-spoilery trifle!

 

...Prometheus is being released in the States first, right?

It'd BETTER be!

If it's not those damn foreigners better keep their spoilers out of the first line, or we'll raise red, white, and blue hell!

Erix told me this thread was lots of fun, and he's right. But guys, it's a terribly unfair world we live in, where we constantly get bombarded by spoilers. If it says "post-release" in the title, don't go anywhere near it and wait untill the premier. We foreigns deal with it all the time. It's ok...

So, I've seen The Avengers twice and I'm seeing it again tonight. I have so much mad love for it, it's not even funny. I loved everyone in it but Hulk owns this movie.

Help me with this: what exactly does Stark say to Hawkeye when he asks for a lift? I'm not sure if I got that line right because everyone in the theater busts out laughing.

 

Well... It has a May 31st release date down here. So, wakka wakka wakka.

 

.....

 

Natalia --- Something like, "buckle up, Legolas." In any case, he calls him Legolas. That's why people were laughing so much. Because it's funny.

 

You bastard

Yeah, thought that was it but I wasn't sure. That Stark gets the best lines.

Actually, the first time I saw it I thought Stark said "Pucker up, Legolas." My ears betrayed me.

---

 

Hey here's something mega nerdy, in the scene where Thor and grabs Loki and has a chat on the mountain, I thought I saw a couple of black birds fly past in that scene. Could that be Huginn and Muninn (ie. Odin's ravens)? I don't even know if they are in the comic version of Norse mythology. Or maybe I was just seeing things.

 

Update: I tried to look it up. I still don't know if they are in The Avengers, but they do cameo in Thor. Cool!

OMG GALACTUS!

 

Just got back from second viewing with the missus (who loved it in spite of not being a huge comic book - film or otherwise - nerd like myself) and I have to say it really holds up. I feel like the criticism against the first act is very wrong, it's enjoyable and let's you get settled to a level of scope before expanding on it and blowing your face off later on.

 

This movie is such an amazing accomplishment, from the one-liners that actually work, to the Hulk, it's so goddamn enjoyable. Fuck it, this is my Star Wars.

 

Also, random SHIELD guy playing Galaga on his touch screen (with a joystick!!) had the audience in stitches both times, and I just noticed that Stark points it out beforehand when he gets on the deck.

 

Joss Whedon deserves everything he has coming and more, good for him.

 

Btw, I can't remember who asked, but Powers Boothe is indeed one of the council members.

MAN WASN'T THAT BLADE CAMEO INCREDIBLE??? HE HAD A SWORD AND SHIT AND THEY WERE PLAYING TECHNO AND THEN HE HAD SEX WITH APOCALYPSE.

 

Anyway.

 

I kinda get the feeling that after this, a SHIELD movie would be a terrible idea. I mean, this organization clearly is fraught with corruption and double-talk, they get their asses kicked pretty quickly in the beginning of this film, and they really don't have a whole lot of standout agents, just Widow, Hawkeye and some cannon fodder.

Gabe T, Well then it is time to introduce some top flight S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents like...Clay Quartermain, Countessa Allegra Di Fontaine, as well as...Infinity Formula induced...Gabe Jones and Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan!  Don't Yield, Back S.H.I.E.L.D.!

Better clench up Legolas

...All those who chose to oppose his shield must yield...

 

Yes... Even though the previous films took care of actually introducing the characters and establishing the world, you still have to build this story. That third act speeds by so quickly you don't even notice it. And it's full of fun stuff. Has anyone mentioned that Black Widow's introduction is one of the film's best scenes. I liked it on my first viewing, loved it on my second. Your Star Wars comparison is apt, Kovacs. This is an infectiously fun ride that is going to hold up to repeated viewings.

 

 

If they do a SHIELD movie, and they might, I'm sure it would basically be Black Widow & Hawkeye: The Movie. Given what they hint at so strongly in this film, I actually wouldn't mind seeing a prequel. It might play more like a Bourne/James Bond action picture than a superhero movie, but those characters were well cast and they have chemistry together. I think it could work.

 

 

He says, in perfect English, "puny god." There. Now you know everything.

I think Lou Ferrigno provides Hulk's voice. But, if that isn't true, then it's most likely Ruffalo.

 

Ruffalo did do all the mocap acting though, which might be why this particular Hulk is the most satisfying one yet. With the other ones, there was a distinct feeling of disconnect between Banner and Hulk. And that was a big mistake.

 

This time you really see Ruffalo in there. It's great.

 

........

 

Ebert enjoyed it, by the way.

 

Pretty much the reaction I expected from him. It's a fair review. And I'm sure most of the mainstream film critics that don't pan it will react similarly. (Except for Armond White who apparently hates the way Joss Whedon directed this "mechanical action movie," while praising the "visionary" Michael Bay for Transformers 2.)

 

In any case, my point is, critics are bound to be a bit more reserved in their enthusiasm than most viewers.

Just came back from third viewing. Finally got what Stark says to Hawkeye: "Better clench up, Legolas." Pure awesome.

This movie just doesn't get boring.

You'd already written the line. Oops.

Ferigno does indeed provide Hulk's voice. Two glorious words. 

Well, and probably the roars and grunts and stuff. That's the kind of stuff he did onscreen in the old show, right?

You're not alone, I definitely saw the Ravens and there were definitely two. I nice touch I thought. Odin was watching.

Man I need to see this again, reading this thread over is killing me.

GREAT ODIN'S RAVEN.

 

I want to see this film ten more times by tomorrow. STOP OWNING ME, AVENGERS.

Just came from an employee screening at the Drafthouse I was invited to. Free movie, free food, and I had fun with it. No complaints.

I'm getting embarrassingly gushy about the film, as some of the reviews from other geek sites are irritating me with their "oh it drags in places" and "the dissension scenes are boring" and, my personal favourite WTF criticism, "Hiddleston is wasted because all he gets to do is talk". Hey guys, it's the fucking Avengers brought to life, quipping and kicking ass. I can't understand the thought process of a film/comic nerd that watches a blockbuster this accomplished and thinks "let's nitpick".

 

And this film NEVER drags. If you find drag in it, it is my opinion that you are actively looking for it. I can't even fathom ANYONE thinking this isn't the best Marvel movie yet. Whedon's writing alone eclipses anything else they've put out.

I don't think the film ever drags, but I did think that the opening incident at SHIELD headquarters was clunky.  The movie treats its destruction as if we were losing a place that we had gotten attached to.  Nope.  It was just some buildings to me.  I don't envy the movie for having to essentially start like that.  It had to get the ball rolling.  If I had any complaints, it would be about that part of the movie.  It was nowhere near as disengaging as the opening of John Carter, but it had a similar flavor. 

 

Oh, has anyone mentioned Pepper Potts in those shorts?  Not that I minded the sight, but I found it odd after we saw two movies of her in business suits.  I did like seeing her and Stark enjoying their time together, of course... as well as how chummy she was with Coulson.

 

A CELLIST!

Phil was gay, right?

 

That's what I assumed. Which is fun. But now I miss him.

Damn right he was. He was totally gay for HEROISM.

Don't mistake my silence in the matter as me condoning this travesty.

 

BECAUSE IT IS BULLSHIT! BULLSHIT OF THE HIGHEST ORDER! I bet it was some Marvel asshole's idea. No decent man, not even Whedon would dare harm this sweet graceful man otherwise. Who's going to deapan in Marvel movies now? WHO? I bet without him everyone will start acting like Jack Black in Nacho Libre.

 

Argh! I had to edit this post ten times. My rage is messing with my capitalization skills.

Agent Hill.

 

She'll be Stark's new liaison and he'll try to fuck her and she'll be all "I bet you never did this with Agent Coulson God rest his soul" and Stark will be all "oh how little you know me" and then Loki will stab her in the face for being a mewling quim.

I see a lot of people making light of tragedy here and I'm getting angry.

 

Oh wait.

 

Nope. Listen. The death was Marvel's idea, but Whedon knew he'd be blamed.

Sometimes it's just better to stay away from reviews when you like a movie, though you inevitably can't escape annoying nitpicking. Try seeing the movie with a hardcore DC/Justice League fan. Last night I had to hear my pal's very, VERY LONG argument on why the Justice League is far superior than The Avengers although he loved the movie, and silly stupid mini conversations like:

"What's the deal with arrow guy and the chick? They surely got it on at some point but what are they doing in a super group?"

"They're SHIELD agents."

"But what are they doing among the likes of The Hulk, Cap and Iron Man? And they barely got any screen time."

"They have special skills. It's an ensemble, they usually never get equal screen time. Did you not like the characters?"

"They're great characters, BUT WHY?"

Ugh...
Edited by natalia - 5/3/12 at 6:15am

Just answer every question and nitpick he has with "one of your team's charter fucking members is a guy whose superpower is talking to fish. TO FISH".

 

Then stab him in the face for being a mewling quim. WORKS EVERY TIME.

Couldn't have come up with a better solution.

Will do, Sir. But maybe I'll also side punch him for being insolent.

PUNY JUSTICE LEAGUE FAN.

Just saw it and it was a blast. It didn't drag at all. Great fun.

Only two nitpicks:

I missed Arseguard. I would have loved a scene with Stringer Bell, Thor and Odin discussing Loki's hijinks on Earth. And showing how he got here. Not essential, and I know the budget wouldn't allow Hopkin's return, but hey, I loved THOR.

As others have mentioned, the score is anonymous. Patrick Doyle's score for THOR had at least 2 great themes which would have worked great here.

I can understand criticisms of the opening 20 minutes-- especially in comparison to how the rest of the film goes, the initial set-up kind of just ambles forward. But, as I said, if the film starts off a bit rough it more than makes up for that shakiness the minute it finds its legs and gets all of the characters together. Hell, there's still plenty to like about the first small chunk of the movie; I was honestly riveted in the "Black Widow tracks down the Hulk" bit. It's just that the minute build-up here is a huge tease, because we all want to see the big, eye-popping stuff that's coming...

 

...and of course all of that stuff is infinitely better than we could possibly imagine. (Hulk's entrance in the final fight made me clap. I love Hulk. Have you figured that out yet?) Which is why, I think, The Avengers is scoring so well among most of us. I think geeks have a tendency to really really really pick apart anything based on the properties they love so much, probably moreso than a comic book outsider who comes to the film bringing an unbiased critical eye, and so you see a lot of stuff about the talking being boring or the movie dragging. They want to get to the "bam, zoom, pow" with even greater urgency than the non-comic book aficionados in the audience.

 

And I'm not trying to sound derisive or pejorative here; to each their own. But while I respect that perspective, I don't necessarily "get" it. This film satisfied me on every level I want a summer blockbuster and a superhero film to satisfy me; I think it also may have gotten me over my superhero burnout stage, though I think that'll be more conclusively proven on a second viewing. I loved this movie. So much that after Cabin in the Woods it's going to be the only other movie thus far this year that I'll see twice in theaters. (And yes, it's just a coincidence that Whedon is involved in both of these movies.)

 

 

Also, I'm sigging this.

Most of you will have seen this by tomorrow morning and, in any case, I think I'm the only one who's bothering to do this anymore... Fuck it.

 

.............

 

You could pretty much say the same thing about every single Bond villain. I really don't get that complaint at all. That's really stupid.

 

 

In general, Pepper had a sexier vibe to her than in the Iron Man movies. I'm not sure why, exactly, but it works just fine.

 

 

Well, when Pepper asks him about the cellist, he responds that "she moved to Portland." So, unless the cellist was his beard, I think he was straight. Though it would have been kind of cool if he was gay. His scenes with Captain America would be even funnier.

 

 

Pretty much identical to a conversation I had. Though the "What's the deal with the arrow guy and the chick?" thing led to a long digression about "NO WAY could you stay friends when your friend is that hot..." and so on. There were also complaints about how "You can see Black Widow's butt sagging a bit. Scarlett Johansson is letting herself go. That other girl was hotter. She should have been Black Widow." Things like that.

 

Better to just laugh it off. Life is short and precious enough as it is.

 

 

That's my one complaint too. Every character gets a solid intro and Thor just kind of drops into the movie from nowhere. It wouldn't even have been necessary to bring back Hopkins. Just have Thor shooting the shit with Ray Stevenson and Idris Elba for a bit before jumping into a portal or whatever. I think it could have worked a lot better that way.

 

I dunno. I love the little "lightning/thunder" exchange between the SHIELD agent and Loki that precedes his entrance. For those who know Loki's story it's a great "oooooh shit's about to get REAL" moment. And Thor gets to wade in and start smashing shit up and kicking ass right from his arrival, which sets him out from the pack in a nice way.

It was funny, but seemed a little abrupt. Maybe it was just because I re-watched THOR a few days ago.

 

HAH! I fucking knew it! Douchebags.