# Marvel's Avengers - early reviews seem positive \[edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 20, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406 "2012-04-20T13:18:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/1 "2012-04-20T13:18:21Z")
100% on Rotten Tomatoes, but only 14 reviews. See [here](http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/marvels_the_avengers/#). General kudos are getting sent Joss Whedon’s way for knitting together a complex set of story threads, characters and movie studio requirements into something that works. They clearly have been marketing the “Whedon is part of the Celebrity quotient” of the movie, but this praise appears to be earned. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/2 "2012-04-20T13:28:06Z")
Hm. I’m not sure that “a complex set of story threads” is necessarily something I look for in an action movie. (At least in part because I end up having to explain stuff to my wife in the middle of the film.) I haven’t seen anything that Joss Whedon has written since “Toy Story” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (the movie), so I can’t say that having his name attached is a big attraction for me. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/3 "2012-04-20T13:34:00Z")
The Avengers has recently premiered in the UK and the early reviews are coming in ([obligatory Rotten Tomatoes link](http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/marvels_the_avengers/)). Everyone has been very positive saying it is a perfect popcorn movie with a great blend of action, character moments, and humor. Joss Whedon is getting a lot of love from the critics. I am geeked up to go see this in May. Who else is planning to go see it? ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/4 "2012-04-20T13:36:43Z")
I’ve waited decades for this movie to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Bakhesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3da27b/32.png) [@Bakhesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bakhesh)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/5 "2012-04-20T13:39:46Z")
Yep, really cannot wait to see this. And the best bit is, I’m a brit, so I’ll see it next week :D:D:D:D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/6 "2012-04-20T13:43:42Z")
Although it is fairly unmanly, I must say: squeeeeeeeee! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/7 "2012-04-20T13:43:51Z")
What the reviews are also saying is that it’s funnier and has more and better action than any other superhero movie to date. The climactic battle in particular is getting raves - and seeing as most superhero flicks seem to falter in the last act, that’s no mean feat. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/8 "2012-04-20T13:47:16Z")
Merged duplicate threads. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/9 "2012-04-20T14:40:00Z")
When I see photos of Bane and Catwoman from The Dark Knight Rises, I think ‘that’s all?’ I’ll see both, but it just looks so boring by comparison. For me, it mirrors the differences in the comics since the sixties with Marvel being the flashier one with more human characteristics vs DC being more old school, talky, and aiming for cerebral over fun. Hulk looks better than ever. Supposedly, he steals the show. Now that they’ve finally got a first rate CGI Hulk that they won’t have to redesign, won’t a sequel be a likelier prospect with so much of the budget freed up? ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/10 "2012-04-20T15:15:59Z")
Joss and Marvel are two of my favorite things, so I’ve been super excited once he was attached to it. I’m really hoping this and The Cabin in the Woods might give him some more mainstream visibility. ---
**Author:** ![sachertorte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sachertorte/32/3727_2.png) [@sachertorte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sachertorte)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/11 "2012-04-20T15:39:23Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > I haven’t seen anything that Joss Whedon has written since “Toy Story” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (the movie), so I can’t say that having his name attached is a big attraction for me. He wrote Toy Story?! Wow, I did not know that. That actually makes me more interested. Too bad I never go out to the movies anymore. I probably see it eventually though. It’s a Disney movie right? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/12 "2012-04-20T15:47:37Z")
Anybody else doing a prequel marathon? I’m watching the movie, then the making-ofs, then watching it again with commentary on. I’m halfway through Iron Man 2. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/13 "2012-04-20T16:48:49Z")
> [@sachertorte](#): > > He wrote Toy Story?! Wow, I did not know that. > That actually makes me more interested. Too bad I never go out to the movies anymore. I probably see it eventually though. It’s a Disney movie right? along with a half dozen others ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/14 "2012-04-20T16:55:28Z")
> [@hogarth](#): > > Hm. I’m not sure that “a complex set of story threads” is necessarily something I look for in an action movie. Exactly - but that is the challenge they laid at Whedon’s feet when he took on this role, simply because this movie is meant to tie together 5 (more? 2 Hulks; 2 Iron Mans, Thor, Captain America…) previous summer blockbuster movies - and no doubt do it in a way that sets up further individual AND Avenger movies… Sounds like a pretty complex Rubic’s Cube of a challenge - if he pulled it off AND made a fun, entertaining movie that delivers blockbustery goodness, well, that’s an impressive accomplishment. Perhaps not Shakespeare, but technically impressive. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/15 "2012-04-20T17:07:50Z")
Unfortunately, there likely won’t be a Fantastic Four/Avengers crossover that would look right, due to Chris Evans. I am totally stoked about this movie. Scarlett Johansson in spandex, Cobie Smulders, hopefully in _something_ shiny, and the rest of the cast -besides the Hulk- keeping visual continuity is extremely exciting. Also, I read somewhere that this is the first Hulk CGI where the actor is doing green-screen facial expressions with the digital gizmo-thingies, a la Andy Serkis/Gollum. Marvel has gotten very lucky in the casting department for every one of the characters (save the Hulk/Bruce Banner, I suppose we’ll find out) involved in this film. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/16 "2012-04-20T17:09:08Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Exactly - but that is the challenge they laid at Whedon’s feet when he took on this role, simply because this movie is meant to tie together 5 (more? 2 Hulks; 2 Iron Mans, Thor, Captain America…) previous summer blockbuster movies - and no doubt do it in a way that sets up further individual AND Avenger movies… > > Sounds like a pretty complex Rubic’s Cube of a challenge - if he pulled it off AND made a fun, entertaining movie that delivers blockbustery goodness, well, that’s an impressive accomplishment. Perhaps not Shakespeare, but technically impressive. Yep. From what I’ve heard there’s no real required viewing to enjoy Avengers. Sure, the movies will walk you through origins and personalities, but if you’re just out for a fun movie, you can watch it on it’s own. I was never a big Whedon fan, but his run on Astonishing X-Men impressed me. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/17 "2012-04-20T17:10:30Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > Anybody else doing a prequel marathon? I’m watching the movie, then the making-ofs, then watching it again with commentary on. I’m halfway through Iron Man 2. The local theater is having an all day 40 buck showing of all the movies before the launch, i was very tempted. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/18 "2012-04-20T17:47:10Z")
I was a walk-on extra for the movie’s last night of filming in Cleveland, along with a buddy, so I’m especially psyched to see _The Avengers_. If all goes well, I’ll even appear in it for more than a nanosecond! ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Doom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Dr\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/19 "2012-04-20T18:47:39Z")
Hey, that’s awesome! What characters were in your scene? Did you even see any? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406/20 "2012-04-20T19:08:35Z")
I’m getting the same kind of confusion here between Green Hornet and Green Lantern, not to mention [Arthur](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_(TV_series)) and [Arthur](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Christmas), but worse; I am assuming that [these](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Avengers_%28TV_series%29) [Avengers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Avengers_(1998_film)) has absolutely nothing to do with said upcoming movie? Why can’t they use a more original name? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/marvels-avengers-early-reviews-seem-positive-edited-title/619406.md?page=2)