Didn’t watch the movie? Do not read ahead.

‘The Avengers’ features some of the most iconic superheroes and villains in Marvel Comic history. A movie featuring Iron Man by himself in 2008 earned major bucks at the box office, but combining this many movie stars into a movie was either a recipe for disaster or one of the hugest comic book movies of all time. Luckily, the vote swings in favor of big, bold, and sometimes green, Hulkish superheroes.

The Incredible Hulk, after having been in two modern feature films, could have come off as campy and tired. Instead, actor Mark Ruffalo adds depth and realistic tired anger to the film.

The Hulk does indeed smash his way through the movie, having two of the most hilarious scenes in superhero movie history that fans are sure to remember for a very long time. Redeemed in a way, both Ruffalo and The Hulk make a great team for The Avengers, succeeding where the other two iterations of the Hulk did not. Equal parts giant-rage monster and alien-army-repelling bloodhound.

With Robert Downey Jr. throwing down his Iron-Man-sized ego into the mix, he is bound to offend someone. In point of fact, Iron Man easily offends everyone in some backhanded compliment throughout the entire movie. Downey’s portrayal is top notch, once again providing the levity in moments of higher action and violence. Between him and Samuel L. Jackson, these two veteran actors bring a versatile skill set of attitude mixed with subzero-cool superhero power.

Make no mistake, though human he may be, Nick Fury is not above getting his hands dirty and taking command whenever and wherever necessary to get the job done. Jump out of a flaming helicopter? Done. Use an RPG against a fifth-generation, multimillion-dollar stealth aircraft? Done.

If that was not enough to quantify his serious level of cool, he is the captain of what must be the most advanced aircraft carrier in recent human technology. Real and in development or imagined from the film makers, Nick Fury has some of the coolest toys around town. Ask Captain America, who now owes the Director of Shield 10 bucks on a bet.

Captain America, arguably the oldest character in the entire movie, exhibits a confused character that is in keeping with his lost-in-time motif. Played by Chris Evans, there are moments where fans will genuinely believe that Captain America should never be allowed around a computer. Still, Captain America is the peacekeeper among them, keeping the fights from escalating as tempers flair.

In terms of tempers flaring, Thor, brother of Loki, is easily the most outwardly angry man on earth. Proven to be on par in strength with The Hulk, Chris Hemsworth continues his lightening-powered quest to bring his brother back to Asgard and administer justice. Hemsworth, speaking in the Middle English style, is mocked early on, but does indeed bring valuable skills to the coming invasion through Loki’s treachery.

His story is tied intrinsically to Loki’s, and to that of earths survival, since Thor landed on the third rock from the sun. The movie highlights their shared past, but does little to try and bring the two together beyond a certain point.

Loki, played by Tom Hiddleton, returns in his role as the bitter and jealous brother of Thor’s prominence in their home world of Asgard. Loki sets his sights upon the earth as a kingdom for which he would rule. Indeed, his greed and lust for power make his motives easily decipherable.

Loki’s character seems to prize showmanship and trickery, and while that is a good thing, he has little in the way of true superpower. He seems easily beatable by himself and even allows himself to be captured. Perhaps Loki is a little too open in some ways, as even his brilliant mind is tricked by The Black Widow during a brief interrogation.

Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as The Black Widow a.k.a. Agent Romanov, the sexy, Russian assassin. As one of the few women featured in this film, she holds her own early on, with a mind as sharp and a beauty as deadly as any of the male Avengers. In truth, there are moments when her skills are put to the test, using her brains-over-brawn approach to getting things done.

Things like being human does not stop this skilled fighter as she gives a beat down while tied to a chair, hijacks an alien air bike, or gives a friend-turned-enemy a “cognitive recalibration”.

Hawkeye, played by Jeremy Renner, is seemingly the only character not seen in very many of Marvel’s movies at all. He is the least known of the Avengers, but makes his role count just as much as some of the bigger and more fanciful stars in the film. Deadly accurate with a bow, Hawkeye is ensnared into Loki’s trap early on and forced to fight for his life alongside his fellow Avengers.

Perhaps the unsung hero of many Marvel films is Agent Phil Coulson played brilliantly by Clark Gregg. In many of the movies, he is Nick Fury’s right-hand man and makes the greatest sacrifice to save the world. It is his actions that make it personal for the Avengers as they seek to destroy Loki. His quiet confidence mixed in with deadpan commentary has remained a constant source of entertainment for fans, and it is this reason that he is a very welcome addition to The Avengers film.

In all ways, the actors and actresses for this movie do a more than commendable job of filling their roles as some of the greatest and most iconic super heroes in comic book history. Leaping off the pages, imagination is given shape by skilled actors proving that a comic book movie can not only feature more than one superhero, but can do it successfully as well.

The Avengers is proof that comic book brilliance can be translated into a brilliant movie, so long as the people involved have a singular vision for which to drive towards. Featuring some of the coolest cats in town with an amazingly well-scripted dialogue and plausible team dynamics, this marvel movie is sure to elevate the genre in many ways.

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About the author

Calvin Li
Calvin is currently a Politics and Entertainment writer, as well as the Assistant Gaming Editor for Toonari Post. He holds a Master's Degree in History and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. A Native New Yorker, he enjoys speed reading and eating, as well as exploring, snowboarding and bowling.