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THE AVENGERS 
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Sean wrote:
And here's a great idea I had for "Iron Man 3", but I wasn't sure what others might thing of it.
[Reveal] Spoiler:
I agree with Mr. Berardinelli in that "Iron Man 3" should feature characters from other "Avengers" films, and so I thought that it would be cool if Iron Man teamed up with the Incredible Hulk. Robert Downey, Jr. and Mark Ruffalo had such a great rapport in the movie, and the final scene with the two driving off together makes them seem like the perfect duo. I'm not sure who Captain America could team up with, as he seems like more of a loner, as does Thor, who returns to Asgard in the end. (Did the film ever explain how he got back to Earth?) However, I'm fairly certain that the "Black Widow" movie, poised for release in 2014, would do well with a partnership between Black Widow and Hawkeye.


Should I use spoiler tags or not? Might as well!

[Reveal] Spoiler:
I think Loki very briefly mentions the massive amount of energetic required by Odin to get Thor back to earth. Felt to me like it's "a story for another time" perhaps.


Mon May 07, 2012 11:17 am
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Vexer wrote:
StatGuy2000 wrote:
I just wanted to thank those who have replied to my question on whether Thor and Captain America are necessary to understand the Avengers. I definitely plan on seeing Thor (either through streaming or through DVD Rental -- been meaning to do so, but just haven't got around to it) and will likely do the same for Captain America.

As for the comments on the Hulk, I will provide a contrarian opinion (except to JB) -- I believe that Ang Lee's Hulk was far, far superior to Joe Johnston's Incredible Hulk. The earlier film was exceptionally well-acted by everyone (particularly from Bana, with strong support from Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott and Nick Nolte), and was far more moving, to the point of near tragic, than the latter film, which was mediocre at best (except for Norton's performance and the special effects, which is largely equal to, perhaps even a slight improvement, over Lee's Hulk).

Correction, Louis Leterrier directed Incredible Hulk, Johnston directed Captain America.

Ang Lee was just the wrong person to direct a Hulk film, trying to make a superhero film into a dark drama was like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, it just didn't work for me at all, Bana was merely OK as the titular character(even Bana admitted that he wasn't very proud of the film) but Nolte was just weak, not the least bit convincing for a second, the action scenes were competent at best, but nothing to drool over, the CGI was incredibly obvious and mediocre and really took me out of the movie(espeically those mutant dogs), and the story just didn't involve me very much. This recap closely echoes my thoughts on the film: http://www.agonybooth.com/recaps/Hulk_2003.aspx



As I wrote elsewhere:

Quote:
The main problem with Ang Lee's Hulk movie was the approach Lee took in trying to combine a comic book movie with Shakespearean themes. Not that that approach couldn't have worked (it did with Thor). But it didn't. Lee's a great director of dramatic films and action films with real characters. But with Hulk he tried to make a comic book/art film hybrid and the result was unsatisfying to both audiences. Art film fans are not likely to go see a film about the Hulk and a lot of comic book movie fans I know who saw it complained that they found it too talky and took too long to get going. I fell in between. I admired what Lee was trying to accomplish. But felt the movie ultimately failed in its execution.

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Mon May 07, 2012 11:47 am
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
I would still rank Ang Lee's Hulk a head of this movie.

I like The Avengers, it's a REALLY FUN movie! But I also think a lot of people are going overboard with their praise for it.

It's a 3 star movie for me.


Mon May 07, 2012 2:17 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Vexer wrote:
StatGuy2000 wrote:
I just wanted to thank those who have replied to my question on whether Thor and Captain America are necessary to understand the Avengers. I definitely plan on seeing Thor (either through streaming or through DVD Rental -- been meaning to do so, but just haven't got around to it) and will likely do the same for Captain America.

As for the comments on the Hulk, I will provide a contrarian opinion (except to JB) -- I believe that Ang Lee's Hulk was far, far superior to Joe Johnston's Incredible Hulk. The earlier film was exceptionally well-acted by everyone (particularly from Bana, with strong support from Jennifer Connelly, Sam Elliott and Nick Nolte), and was far more moving, to the point of near tragic, than the latter film, which was mediocre at best (except for Norton's performance and the special effects, which is largely equal to, perhaps even a slight improvement, over Lee's Hulk).

Correction, Louis Leterrier directed Incredible Hulk, Johnston directed Captain America.



My apologies. In fact, it was Louis Leterrier who directed Incredible Hulk.


Mon May 07, 2012 2:51 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
ilovemovies wrote:
I would still rank Ang Lee's Hulk a head of this movie.

I like The Avengers, it's a REALLY FUN movie! But I also think a lot of people are going overboard with their praise for it.

It's a 3 star movie for me.


I think what's done it for me is that it lived 100% up to my virtually unreasonable expectations. Expectations relative to the movies that led up to it that is. I'm not talking about the Star Wars fanboys who wanted... fuck knows what from Phantom :P


Mon May 07, 2012 3:34 pm
Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Just wanted to add my own two cent praise for the movie. It's everything a fanboy could dream of. I walked out of the theater with a big smile on my face last Saturday, and I felt like this is how it must have been to have watched Star Wars for the first time back in 1977. Joss Whedon just confirmed every bit of praise I had for him when he did his TV shows. May he do 12 more Avengers movies. Yee Haw! :D


Mon May 07, 2012 10:41 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Here's a question:

[Reveal] Spoiler:
Did anybody else think it was stupid that all the aliens on Earth died after there mothership was nuked?


Tue May 08, 2012 10:22 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
jadedmoviegoer wrote:
Here's a question:

[Reveal] Spoiler:
Did anybody else think it was stupid that all the aliens on Earth died after there mothership was nuked?


[Reveal] Spoiler:
The hive mind enemy is definitely overdone but really the invaders were secondary to the team working together and the characters.


Tue May 08, 2012 10:45 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Nick wrote:
jadedmoviegoer wrote:
Here's a question:

[Reveal] Spoiler:
Did anybody else think it was stupid that all the aliens on Earth died after there mothership was nuked?


[Reveal] Spoiler:
The hive mind enemy is definitely overdone but really the invaders were secondary to the team working together and the characters.


[Reveal] Spoiler:
I definitely didn't think that the aliens needed to be developed more than they were for the climax to be satisfying, but I definitely think a better set-up would have helped that resolution. As it stands, it feels a little too much like the filmmakers didn't have enough time or money to show the Avengers vanquishing the remaining enemies on Earth.


Wed May 09, 2012 10:18 am
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
jadedmoviegoer wrote:
Nick wrote:
jadedmoviegoer wrote:
Here's a question:

Did anybody else think it was stupid that
[Reveal] Spoiler:
all the aliens on Earth died after there mothership was nuked?


[Reveal] Spoiler:
The hive mind enemy
is definitely overdone but really the invaders were secondary to the team working together and the characters.


I definitely didn't think that the aliens needed to be developed more than they were for the climax to be satisfying, but I definitely think a better set-up would have helped that resolution. As it stands, it feels a little too much like the filmmakers didn't have enough time or money
[Reveal] Spoiler:
to show the Avengers vanquishing the remaining enemies on Earth.


I had a teeny problem with it for about half a second, but really
[Reveal] Spoiler:
at the moment the portal is closed, the threat is over. The aliens have been established as beatable; it was the overwhelming numbers that were the problem. So really, whether it's a "hive mind aliens all fall dead" shot or a Return of the King-style pan shot of the final baddies getting taken out easily--it's a quick moment with the same meaning: threat over; good guys win. So in that sense I was fine with it. But yes, there was a quick moment of pain when I thought of Phantom Menace.


Wed May 09, 2012 11:52 am
Post Re: THE AVENGERS
ilovemovies wrote:
Bones wrote:
Quote:
There's plenty of humor, including at least a couple of laugh-out-loud moments (one with a literal "punch line")

Holy crap. That punch-line is the hardest I've laughed in a theater in a long time. What a ridiculously fun time at the movies. I now understand why the review was so giddy--it captures exactly how I felt leaving the theater (and still feel 2.5 hours later, honestly).

Also a question.
[Reveal] Spoiler:
After Hulk thrashed Loki around in Stark tower, did Hulk say something? Our audience was laughing so loud at the thrashing that I couldn't tell, though I thought his mouth was moving more than it would just to roar.


[Reveal] Spoiler:
After he beats the crap out of Loki, as he is walking away he says "puny god!". It's nearly as funny as when he beats him! :lol:


[Reveal] Spoiler:
Technically, I believe he says "Puny demi-god!" and voiced by Lou Ferrigno no less.


Wed May 09, 2012 1:56 pm
Post Re: THE AVENGERS
johnny larue wrote:
[Reveal] Spoiler:
Technically, I believe he says "Puny demi-god!" and voiced by Lou Ferrigno no less.


[Reveal] Spoiler:
No, just "Puny God"


Wed May 09, 2012 4:16 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Quote:
I think what's done it for me is that it lived 100% up to my virtually unreasonable expectations. Expectations relative to the movies that led up to it that is. I'm not talking about the Star Wars fanboys who wanted... fuck knows what from Phantom



I can give you a simple answer. This movie was fun and entertaining to watch and I never checked my watch once while it was on.I walked out of the theatre with a jaunt and spring in my step.I would even go watch it again if asked to. The Phantom Menace was unwatchable and well below average just for any kind of movie.I needed a new watch battery after using the backlight so much. Joss Whedon is a the top of his game and is much better storyteller and entertainer than Lucas.He gets it and gives the fans something they enjoy.Here is his open letter thanking fans

http://collider.com/joss-whedon-thanks-fans-avengers/165058/?_r=true


Quote:
ust wanted to add my own two cent praise for the movie. It's everything a fanboy could dream of. I walked out of the theater with a big smile on my face last Saturday, and I felt like this is how it must have been to have watched Star Wars for the first time back in 1977. Joss Whedon just confirmed every bit of praise I had for him when he did his TV shows. May he do 12 more Avengers movies. Yee Haw! :D


I actually saw Star Wars the first week it came out in 1977 in an empty theatre believe it or not.The Avengers does have that feel but the buzz of that first Star Wars was so much stronger and the film was so different from than anything you had seen before at that time.That's the part that I have not experienced at the movies since then.


Wed May 09, 2012 7:01 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
I had one hell of a time at this movie as well. But I'm surprised no one has mentioned (with spoiler warnings of course) the content of a mid-credit scene.....


[Reveal] Spoiler:
For those well versed in Marvel lore, the villain revealed in that first credit scene (the purple alien who turns toward the camera and grins) is Thanos. Fans of The Infinity Gauntlet are well aware that spiderman teams up with the avengers for this fight. Given the timing of the release of The Amazing Spiderman, is anyone out here willing to bet Marvel will add spidey (and perhaps even wolverine) to the roster for Avengers 2?


Wed May 09, 2012 7:53 pm
Post Re: THE AVENGERS
KRoss wrote:
I had one hell of a time at this movie as well. But I'm surprised no one has mentioned (with spoiler warnings of course) the content of a mid-credit scene.....


[Reveal] Spoiler:
For those well versed in Marvel lore, the villain revealed in that first credit scene (the purple alien who turns toward the camera and grins) is Thanos. Fans of The Infinity Gauntlet are well aware that spiderman teams up with the avengers for this fight. Given the timing of the release of The Amazing Spiderman, is anyone out here willing to bet Marvel will add spidey (and perhaps even wolverine) to the roster for Avengers 2?


Don't think spoiler tags are really necessary for this but unless Sony and Disney/Marvel come to some sort of magical deal then no. Doubt the suits would ever agree on that and personally I'm fine with that, I really hope they don't go overboard and add more and more people to the Avengers.


Wed May 09, 2012 9:32 pm
Post Re: THE AVENGERS
At the risk of sounding mean spirited, I'm looking forward to Amazing Spider-man tripping over it's own sense of clichéd mystique.

Have I already made a big deal out of how when I saw Avengers for the second time (the Saturday after it came out in UK), I had to attend a 3D screening, as the 2D one had sold out...

Let me just make sure I'm being 100% clear on this point:

"The 2D showing, as in the primitive method of watching movies so opposed by High Lord of dangling string James Cameron, had out sold the newer, BETTER way to see movies at it's prime first weekend screening (this is about 9pm on a Saturday night)."

So just to make no mistake... 2D > 3D.

Okay so JB and others have said with confidence that the 3D conversion for this movie was pretty good. Fair enough, but bear in mind the boy cried wolf because wolf attacks are pretty savage...

Edit: Don't be that guy who doesn't get that I'm going OTT with my point. Please?


Wed May 09, 2012 11:24 pm
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
It is just a way to make people pay higher ticket prices not about light and sound.The real ticket price should be $18.00 a pop if Hollywood had it's Christmas wishes.Good to see people are savvying up to the idea that you can see the same movie for less.When Hollywood get wise we are avoiding the inflated prices they will just drop the pretense and raise the general rates anyways.


Thu May 10, 2012 7:10 am
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
Nick wrote:
KRoss wrote:
I had one hell of a time at this movie as well. But I'm surprised no one has mentioned (with spoiler warnings of course) the content of a mid-credit scene.....


[Reveal] Spoiler:
For those well versed in Marvel lore, the villain revealed in that first credit scene (the purple alien who turns toward the camera and grins) is Thanos. Fans of The Infinity Gauntlet are well aware that spiderman teams up with the avengers for this fight. Given the timing of the release of The Amazing Spiderman, is anyone out here willing to bet Marvel will add spidey (and perhaps even wolverine) to the roster for Avengers 2?


Don't think spoiler tags are really necessary for this but unless Sony and Disney/Marvel come to some sort of magical deal then no. Doubt the suits would ever agree on that and personally I'm fine with that, I really hope they don't go overboard and add more and more people to the Avengers.


Marvel would love to be able to bring in Spider-Man for the next film, but they would have to reach a deal. It's not unreasonable that it could happen. Sony would probably be willing to license back Spider-Man to Marvel for a single film if it didn't interfere with their planned storyline and if they got something in return. Like being able to use Iron-Man, Hulk, or some wholly owned Marvel property in the next Spider-Man film, or a similar quid pro quo.

The overall problem being faced by Marvel is they sold off the rights to a lot of their A-list heroes (X-Men, Fantastic Four/Silver Surfer to Fox; Spider-Man to Sony) and villains to other studios. Outside of the Avengers, the cupboard is pretty bare. They might be able to work deals with the other studios for mutual cameos, but Marvel will not be able to make their own Spider-Man or Fantastic Four movie until the rights revert, and I think those are long-term deals. That's why there will be more solo Iron Man/Hulk/Thor/Captain America movies - because those are pretty much the only high profile superheroes Marvel has full control over.

In the villain category, I believe they have relinquished The Green Goblin, Dock Ock, Doctor Doom, Magneto, Galactus, and a bunch of others.

The "Marvel Universe" might be one big happy place in the comic book world, but it's fractured in the movies. There's the Sony Marvel Universe, the Fox Marvel Universe, and the Marvel Marvel Universe.

Actually, once FF gets rebooted, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that we'll see an X-Men/FF crossover, because Fox owns the rights to both. Now that they've seen how *big* a multi-superhero movie can be, expect this sort of thing to happen. And expect Justice League to get fast-tracked in one form or another.


Thu May 10, 2012 10:29 am
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
James Berardinelli wrote:
Nick wrote:
KRoss wrote:
I had one hell of a time at this movie as well. But I'm surprised no one has mentioned (with spoiler warnings of course) the content of a mid-credit scene.....


[Reveal] Spoiler:
For those well versed in Marvel lore, the villain revealed in that first credit scene (the purple alien who turns toward the camera and grins) is Thanos. Fans of The Infinity Gauntlet are well aware that spiderman teams up with the avengers for this fight. Given the timing of the release of The Amazing Spiderman, is anyone out here willing to bet Marvel will add spidey (and perhaps even wolverine) to the roster for Avengers 2?


Don't think spoiler tags are really necessary for this but unless Sony and Disney/Marvel come to some sort of magical deal then no. Doubt the suits would ever agree on that and personally I'm fine with that, I really hope they don't go overboard and add more and more people to the Avengers.


Marvel would love to be able to bring in Spider-Man for the next film, but they would have to reach a deal. It's not unreasonable that it could happen. Sony would probably be willing to license back Spider-Man to Marvel for a single film if it didn't interfere with their planned storyline and if they got something in return. Like being able to use Iron-Man, Hulk, or some wholly owned Marvel property in the next Spider-Man film, or a similar quid pro quo.

The overall problem being faced by Marvel is they sold off the rights to a lot of their A-list heroes (X-Men, Fantastic Four/Silver Surfer to Fox; Spider-Man to Sony) and villains to other studios. Outside of the Avengers, the cupboard is pretty bare. They might be able to work deals with the other studios for mutual cameos, but Marvel will not be able to make their own Spider-Man or Fantastic Four movie until the rights revert, and I think those are long-term deals. That's why there will be more solo Iron Man/Hulk/Thor/Captain America movies - because those are pretty much the only high profile superheroes Marvel has full control over.

In the villain category, I believe they have relinquished The Green Goblin, Dock Ock, Doctor Doom, Magneto, Galactus, and a bunch of others.

The "Marvel Universe" might be one big happy place in the comic book world, but it's fractured in the movies. There's the Sony Marvel Universe, the Fox Marvel Universe, and the Marvel Marvel Universe.

Actually, once FF gets rebooted, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that we'll see an X-Men/FF crossover, because Fox owns the rights to both. Now that they've seen how *big* a multi-superhero movie can be, expect this sort of thing to happen. And expect Justice League to get fast-tracked in one form or another.


I think one thing we can be certain of is that Christopher Nolan is highly unlikely to be involved in the Justice League film in any real capacity, given his stated intention of being finished with the Batman series. This is of course assuming that DC Comics manages to enter into a deal with the other studios to greenlight the film itself.


Fri May 11, 2012 8:31 am
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Post Re: THE AVENGERS
StatGuy2000 wrote:

I think one thing we can be certain of is that Christopher Nolan is highly unlikely to be involved in the Justice League film in any real capacity, given his stated intention of being finished with the Batman series. This is of course assuming that DC Comics manages to enter into a deal with the other studios to greenlight the film itself.


JUSTICE LEAGUE, if it happens, will not use the Nolan/Bale BATMAN. BATMAN is going to undergo a reboot after THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, and that version of BATMAN (and that actor) would be the one used in JUSTICE LEAGUE, although it's unclear which film would come first. Insiders indicate that the new BATMAN probably won't make his debut until 2015 and I suspect there will be a strong push to get JUSTICE LEAGUE out before that.


Sat May 12, 2012 8:09 am
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