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[NullPointer]

I agree with this 100%.

Same here, and while all of that is true, none of that kept me from having a great time. My inner 12 year old watched in awe.

We can still get more heady themes and repercussions in the Batman movies. But Avengers? It's a true comic book movie.

 

[Extra Sauce]

Dumb question: Hawkeye would totally fuck-up Captain America in a 1:1 confrontation, right? Like both dudes start 50 yards away from each other...Hawkeye wins that fight everytime...right?

My friend is flipping a lid that Captain America would somehow block all his shots and close the gap or toss his shield at him or something. Shit would not happen. Hawkeye would hit him in the foot, hit him in the shoulder...SOMETHING...he'd be fucked before he got within striking distance.

...right?!

Cap raises his shield and calmly walks toward Hawkeye while eating a sandwich.

 

[Parallax]

Cap raises his shield and calmly walks toward Hawkeye while eating a sandwich.

yeah....no. hawkeye is a lot more capable than that. cap would win sure, but he would make him work for that W if they were to go at it.

 

[Good Job Bob]

You've got almost 200 posts in this thread.

It never fails to amaze me how much time people spend on stuff they dislike or something that's "not terrible".

I liked the movie well enough, I just hope that I get more substance out of the next wave of Marvel flicks.

 

[ScreenSplitter]

yeah....no. hawkeye is a lot more capable than that. cap would win sure, but he would make him work for that W if they were to go at it.

At the end of the day, he fires projectiles. Quickly yeah, but Cap can deflect bullets with his shield.

 

[Loofy]

Hawkeye got beat up by black widow.

 

[crisdecuba]

Hawkeye got beat up by black widow.

Exactly.

 

[brandonh83]

We can still get more heady themes and repercussions in the Batman movies. But Avengers? It's a true comic book movie.

I didn't care about heady things or depth or anything of the sort going into this film. But I still expect to at least care a bit about what's going on. The plot was boring -- by that I don't mean that I hated the movie because it didn't have a deep plot. You can have a pretty basic story that is still interesting and worth your time. Kind of like Aliens. There's nothing deep or perplexing or psychological about Aliens, it's just well written with good characters.

Or, something closer to home even, like Spider-man 2. Not a deep story. But I felt that the character work was extravagant and embraced the true themes of what makes comic book characters compelling. That film didn't have a lot of action in it, but when the action did come, I cared about it and this turned into me finding the action to be thrilling. The Avengers has like 20 minutes of city blocks getting destroyed and all this fucking MONEY up on the screen and vuvuzela shit blasting around...

And then Spider-man 2 has this part where he pours all of his strength, every ounce of his life into stopping a speeding train full of passengers. After this, you get a great scene of the people on the train lifting his body across them, with all of them promising that they won't reveal who he is. In The Avengers you get a similar scene after the city mayhem of people talking about how cool they were and this and that. However, what works in Spider-man is that most of the film is spent watching Peter struggle with what he wants to do: be normal, or be the hero that people need. You got real character development and struggle there, so when he saves everyone from the train, it's actually emotional and meaningful because of everything that came before. It all ends up coming together in a really fantastic way.

For me that's what a "true" comic book movie is. Not a bunch of fucking pointless CG action scenes that mean squat. For me it's about character development, inner struggle, all that bullshit. I was very bored all throughout Avengers because it lacked soul. It didn't give me a reason to care about one thing. Having a paper thin story or one without a lot of depth is fine as long as there's some charm and soul beneath. Some heart. I would strongly argue that this movie had none.

 

[Parallax]

At the end of the day, he fires projectiles. Quickly yeah, but Cap can deflect bullets with his shield.

projectiles with varying effects to them. smoke tipped ones, exploding ones, others that give off sonic vibrations, modified cutter tips. others specially made to richochet, and more. combined that with the fact that hes not only fast, but a trick shot, and hawkeye isnt one to be underestimated...

 

[WillyFive]

Hawkeye got beat up by black widow.

Everyone could get beaten up by Black Widow. Even Thor, Cap, and Hulk if we take into account that her strengths don't lie only on her fighting skills.

 

[Auron_Kale]

Hawkeye got beat up by black widow.

And he was under mind control during that battle, so you could argue he was having an off moment.

The thing with Hawkeye is that once it was really him, the way he was sniping all of the aliens with basically no effort. For a regular human being on that team, aside from BW, he's more than capable of holding his own against whatever is thrown at him.

It's funny, I've always liked the character but never paid much attention to him yet in the movie, I was just as focused on him as I was on the 'big guys'. Everyday/workhorse characters tend to stick out more for me than the superhero ones.

 

[Mr.Swag]

Dont see any comic gaf threads on the front page, so I guess ill ask here.
What are some good Captain America TPBs? Really like his character.Never really read a Marvel comic. Have a couple Green Lantern TPBs and some Batman ones too, but never a Marvel. So I know nothing of that universe.

Also, don't know if it exists but: any CA books with him fighting in the Middle East?

 

[Dog Problems]

I would have cared about Hawkeye more if he had his traditional purple outfit. It always bugs me in these movies when something is off about how they look. I still liked his scenes.

 

[shintoki]

Wasn't planning to see it till Wednesday, but popped in anyways. I really enjoyed it. Another Whedon doubter having it shoved in his face gloriously. I walked out with the same feeling as I did with Fast Five. Shallow, but shit-eating grin in place.

 

[Auron_Kale]

I would have cared about Hawkeye more if he had his traditional purple outfit. It always bugs me in these movies when something is off about how they look. I still liked his scenes.

I actually liked the reddish-purple - reminded me of the Ultimates. Granted, I have a love/hate relationship with his traditional purple/blue costume. His S.H.I.E.L.D. outfit is straight out of the comics now while his combat one is Ultimates, both of which are more grounded in reality.

 

[Dog Problems]

I actually liked the reddish-purple - reminded me of the Ultimates. Granted, I have a love/hate relationship with his traditional purple/blue costume. His S.H.I.E.L.D. outfit is straight out of the comics now while his combat one is Ultimates, both of which are more grounded in reality.

My mind is still stuck in the 80's and early/mid 90's in regards to how characters look, haha. I haven't read a comic in so long that it takes me awhile to adjust to changes since I already have this idea of how they look and didn't follow them along the way as they changed.

 

[Zoramon089]

yeah....no. hawkeye is a lot more capable than that. cap would win sure, but he would make him work for that W if they were to go at it.

Here's how it goes
MATCH START

*Hawkeye fires however many arrows he wants doesn't matter*
*Cap throws his shield*
*Shield kills Hawkeye instantly on impact cuz Cap is a superhuman and all*
*Cap dodges all arrows and catches the one that he couldn't dodge*

MATCH END

 

[Good Job Bob]

I didn't care about heady things or depth or anything of the sort going into this film. But I still expect to at least care a bit about what's going on. The plot was boring -- by that I don't mean that I hated the movie because it didn't have a deep plot. You can have a pretty basic story that is still interesting and worth your time. Kind of like Aliens. There's nothing deep or perplexing or psychological about Aliens, it's just well written with good characters.

Or, something closer to home even, like Spider-man 2. Not a deep story. But I felt that the character work was extravagant and embraced the true themes of what makes comic book characters compelling. That film didn't have a lot of action in it, but when the action did come, I cared about it and this turned into me finding the action to be thrilling. The Avengers has like 20 minutes of city blocks getting destroyed and all this fucking MONEY up on the screen and vuvuzela shit blasting around...

And then Spider-man 2 has this part where he pours all of his strength, every ounce of his life into stopping a speeding train full of passengers. After this, you get a great scene of the people on the train lifting his body across them, with all of them promising that they won't reveal who he is. In The Avengers you get a similar scene after the city mayhem of people talking about how cool they were and this and that. However, what works in Spider-man is that most of the film is spent watching Peter struggle with what he wants to do: be normal, or be the hero that people need. You got real character development and struggle there, so when he saves everyone from the train, it's actually emotional and meaningful because of everything that came before. It all ends up coming together in a really fantastic way.

For me that's what a "true" comic book movie is. Not a bunch of fucking pointless CG action scenes that mean squat. For me it's about character development, inner struggle, all that bullshit. I was very bored all throughout Avengers because it lacked soul. It didn't give me a reason to care about one thing. Having a paper thin story or one without a lot of depth is fine as long as there's some charm and soul beneath. Some heart. I would strongly argue that this movie had none.

Not to be repetitive, but again you've hit the nail on the head not only for this film but also the rest of the Marvel Studios flicks barring Iron Man 1.

 

[Auron_Kale]

My mind is still stuck in the 80's and early/mid 90's in regards to how characters look, haha. I haven't read a comic in so long that it takes me awhile to adjust to changes since I already have this idea of how they look and didn't follow them along the way as they changed.

I know how that feels. I still see him in his purple outfit but after flipping through current TPBs, watching EMH (and Iron Man Adventures) and scouring Marvel's wiki - I'm far more used to Renner's look now.

 

[brickface]

I watched it, it was class. Dat punch on Thor!

 

[Socreges]

Wow, Paramount going all out in their commercials now:

"Avengers is the #1 movie of all time" -- Because box office receipts is the way to measure that!
"It's the best-reviewed movie of the year"

I understand that it's marketing and doesn't need to make total sense, but the arrogance made me laugh a bit.

Still need to see this. Looks/sounds incredible.

 

[Divvy]

I'm not sure how you could have the purple suit and not have it look goofy.

 

[MrPliskin]

So he punched some stuff. I don't get the orgasms. Some of it was funny I guess like the Thor thing but I don't really get how any of it was ticket purchase justification or anything.

Are you just not a comic book fan or...?

 

[Parallax]

Here's how it goes
MATCH START

*Hawkeye fires however many arrows he wants doesn't matter*
*Cap throws his shield*
*Shield kills Hawkeye instantly on impact cuz Cap is a superhuman and all*
*Cap dodges all arrows and catches the one that he couldn't dodge*

MATCH END

hmm. so he throws it directly at hawkeye? where he can see it coming? that only works on grunts.

 

[ReiGun]

Just a bunch of GOD HATIN' COMMIES.

America's enemies are many. Thank God for the star spangled man with the plan.

i thought captain america was one of the better parts of the movie.

Good job, soldier.

 

[jett]

Same here, and while all of that is true, none of that kept me from having a great time. My inner 12 year old watched in awe.

We can still get more heady themes and repercussions in the Batman movies. But Avengers? It's a true comic book movie.

Being shallow and vapid is what makes a true comic book movie? I liked The Avengers, but it is what it is.

 

[Dog Problems]

I know how that feels. I still see him in his purple outfit but after flipping through current TPBs, watching EMH (and Iron Man Adventures) and scouring Marvel's wiki - I'm far more used to Renner's look now.

I've always wanted to catch up on everything but seeing as how there's over a decade worth of stuff I missed out on it's intimidating. This movie has inspired me to finally do it though. I'm not entirely clueless as I've followed my favorite characters through Wikipedia or whatever but it would have been nice to actually watch it all unfold in a comic.

I'm not sure how you could have the purple suit and not have it look goofy.

I don't think a very dark purple would look silly. Like, so dark that it looks black at times.

 

[MrPliskin]

Being shallow and vapid is what makes a true comic book movie? I liked The Avengers, but it is what it is.

Man, sometimes you REALLY live up to your tag, and to the extreme.

Pro-tip: Using words like "vapid" doesn't make you look right, it makes you look pretentious. It's a comic book movie, not Schindlers List.

 

[brandonh83]

Not to be repetitive, but again you've hit the nail on the head not only for this film but also the rest of the Marvel Studios flicks barring Iron Man 1.

Hell I'm usually the one defending this sort of thing and it was pleasing for me to see most people loving this thing going in, I just wish I could have liked it as much. Seems like most people had a phenomenal time with the film and that's wonderful. That's what it's all about. I simply didn't personally end up caring for what I was seeing on-screen.

Except Mark Ruffalo. Now I really want a new Hulk film with Ruffalo.

 

[KevinCow]

I've realized that most of my appreciation for Captain America comes from the sound his shield makes when it flies through the air and hits things.

 

[Deleted member 13876]

Except Mark Ruffalo. Now I really want a new Hulk film with Ruffalo.

and a Columbo reboot.

 

[jett]

Man, sometimes you REALLY live up to your tag, and to the extreme.

Pro-tip: Using words like "vapid" doesn't make you look right, it makes you look pretentious. It's a comic book movie, not Schindlers List.

Oh noes, I accurately described the plot and characterization in this movie, I'm truly living up to my tag.

 

[Divvy]

I don't think a very dark purple would look silly. Like, so dark that it looks black at times.

Well as long as he's not wearing that mask, I guess it would be okay.

 

[Dog Problems]

Well as long as he's not wearing that mask, I guess it would be okay.

lol But it's iconic to me!

 

[Nesotenso]

Being shallow and vapid is what makes a true comic book movie? I liked The Avengers, but it is what it is.

Since you said it, it must an apt description.

 

[Divvy]

lol But it's iconic to me!

I think Renner's face is way too squat for that. It would look pretty funny.

 

[NullPointer]

Being shallow and vapid is what makes a true comic book movie? I liked The Avengers, but it is what it is.

The comic books I read when I was a kid were that same kind of shallow and vapid, without much reason for an alien invasion except that it would look cool and lead to neat fights. I'm saying its a comic book movie because its true to its origins. My grown-up brain took a back seat to the banter, spectacle, hero-on-hero action while my internal 12 year old nearly wet himself in glee.

And hey, I agree fully with the criticism. Its just something that doesn't necessarily keep the movie from being a great time.

 

[Escape Goat]

America's enemies are many. Thank God for the star spangled man with the plan.

Good job, soldier.

 

[ReiGun]

Oh man. I can't right click > save as fast enough

 

[Escape Goat]

Oh man. I can't right click > save as fast enough

 

[jett]

The comic books I read when I was a kid were that same kind of shallow and vapid, without much reason for an alien invasion except that it would look cool and lead to neat fights. I'm saying its a comic book movie because its true to its origins. My grown-up brain took a back seat to the banter, spectacle, hero-on-hero action while my internal 12 year old nearly wet himself in glee.

And hey, I agree fully with the criticism. Its just something that doesn't necessarily keep the movie from being a great time.

Well all right, I can see that. And I agree, the movie is hugely enjoyable despite all of its shortcomings.

 

[Escape Goat]

and my mjolnir

 

[MrPliskin]

Oh noes, I accurately described the plot and characterization in this movie, I'm truly living up to my tag.

No, you accurately described your experience with pretty much everything.

It was an action packed comic book movie that does exactly what it needs to. It has colorful animated characters, and over the top and at times nonsensical plot, and lots of action. The difference between Avengers and most comic book flicks is that this was done considerably better than others, striking a great balance.

But hey, I guess if it doesn't have crazy "deep" plot and character development, it's "vapid". You're such a joke character sometimes.

 

[Escape Goat]

With 2.5 hours you have to balance characters with plot development. And Avengers is an ensemble cast and it knows what it is and it does it well. It doesn't try to be anything else because the solo film are where grander plots are explored.

 

[Auron_Kale]

Well as long as he's not wearing that mask, I guess it would be okay.

Well, the current version of Hawkeye wears sunglasses so it's a step up. There're promo shots of Renner with the sunglasses in the Hawkeye uniform, which again, looks right out of huge comics.

For the record, I loved the mask as a kid but hate it as an adult.

 

[Nesotenso]

The comic books I read when I was a kid were that same kind of shallow and vapid, without much reason for an alien invasion except that it would look cool and lead to neat fights. I'm saying its a comic book movie because its true to its origins. My grown-up brain took a back seat to the banter, spectacle, hero-on-hero action while my internal 12 year old nearly wet himself in glee.

And hey, I agree fully with the criticism. Its just something that doesn't necessarily keep the movie from being a great time.

And it revels in that fact, which is what makes it great. People always bring up the inevitable Nolan comparisons but his take on Batman is great and in some writings fine for the character. But seeing something as impractical and fantastical as the helicarrier being brought to life from the page brings with it a different kind of satisfaction and joy.

 

[Good Job Bob]

With 2.5 hours you have to balance characters with plot development. And Avengers is an ensemble cast and it knows what it is and it does it well. It doesn't try to be anything else because the solo film are where grander plots are explored.

This would be a decent argument if every Marvel Studios solo film didn't suffer from the same problems.

 

[Jake Tower]

The comic books I read when I was a kid were that same kind of shallow and vapid, without much reason for an alien invasion except that it would look cool and lead to neat fights.

I thought that didn't happen in Marvel comics, only in DC.

 

[jett]

No, you accurately described your experience with pretty much everything.

It was an action packed comic book movie that does exactly what it needs to. It has colorful animated characters, and over the top and at times nonsensical plot, and lots of action. The difference between Avengers and most comic book flicks is that this was done considerably better than others, striking a great balance.

But hey, I guess if it doesn't have crazy "deep" plot and character development, it's "vapid". You're such a joke character sometimes.

I guess unless I call the movie a perfect work of cinema I'm being a negative nancy. People that uselessly bring up my tag are more ridiculous than anything I say. These are my impressions on the film when I first watched it.

I HAS SEEN IT

I thought it was, in all honesty, really awesome. Big dumb action spectacle full-stop, there's not much to a plot but it won't matter to anyone, it all works out. Some seriously funny moments too, RDJ is in full comedian mode in this movie. Joss Whedon is to be commended for making a movie about four unrelated superheroes teaming up to save the planet be as good as it is and doesn't turn out to be completely ridiculous. I mean shit, he even made Hawkeye and Black Widow not be useless and do some cool stuff.

I liked the big four equally, but moment of the movie goes to the Hulk. Only thing I'll say is that the audience freaking ERUPTED, holy shit. It really was just that awesome. For reals. I can't imagine any comic book fan, especially Mahvel/Avengers fans, not loving the shit out of this. It's everything you could hope for.

I for one name it best Mahvel movie yet, a really good time and lots of fun.

My god, what a negative motherfucker I am.

You said it yourself, the plot is nonsense. For me nothing but an excuse to bring up the highly disparate superheroes into one movie together without it all being completely stupid. And Whedon makes it all work out somehow. But it was a shallow experience to me, in the same way your average comedy is shallow. That's what Avengers was to me, a buddy/team comedy with crazy ass action. An enjoyable time on the surface but with nothing underneath it to appreciate or digest. I wasn't emotionally connected to anything that went on, but it doesn't stop it from being entertaining. Sorry if that busts your balls, somehow. I simply wondered what a "true comic book movie" might be.

 

[NullPointer]

And it revels in that fact, which is what makes it great.

For me nothing but an excuse to bring up the highly disparate superheroes into one movie together without it all being completely stupid. And Whedon makes it all work out somehow.

I think that's Whedon's gift honestly. And just when things get a little too full of themselves you get a great wisecrack to bring things back into balance.

Thor: "He's adopted"

Yeah. Good times