If there is one thing you learn most as you get older, it’s that time flies by quicker than you could say “Avengers….Assemble!” In the case of 2012’s The Avengers, how in God’s name has this thing turn 10 years old already?! Granted, today technically marks the release of the movie in the UK, whereas it didn’t come out in the US until May 4th (which is odd considering one of the Avengers is Captain America himself), but this was the day that most folks overseas got to experience the cinematic event of the decade, perhaps century like not other on the very biggest screen possible. The one movie that basically change blockbusters and movie making for better and for the worse (mostly worse) has now been around for one full decade!
It’s hard to describe The Avengers (or also know as Avengers: Assemble in the UK) as being underrated or overlooked considering at one point it was one of the biggest box office hits of all time and considered one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. That being said, I still can’t help but get the feeling that this movie isn’t as appreciated as it is today and people seem to forget the overall impact it has had on cinema throughout the 2010s and 2020s. Perhaps it has to do with many of the the other big, epic comic book movies that have come out as of late. Perhaps it has to do with the success and impact of Infinity War and Endgame that felt bigger and grander in scale and scoop. Perhaps it has to do with what has come out with Joss Whedon himself and revealing that he’s quite an a-hole. Regardless, just because there have been other superhero flicks that have come out after this and the director has been exposed for being a complete jerk, that still doesn’t change just how brilliant the first Avengers movie is!
When reaching the movie once again last night, I still honestly believe that this is my favorite of all the Avengers movies. Sure, it may not be the glorious sloppy imperfection that is Age of Ultron, the massive, action-packed spectacle that is Infinity War, or the impactful, triumphant wrap-up that is Endgame. However, I don’t think any one of them was as air-tight or accomplished it’s own goals as much as the original Avengers did.
With the Avengers sequels, there was always something that I felt hold the films back just a bit for it to live up to it’s fullest 100% potential. Age of Ultron was just….a beautiful mess, Infinity War suffered from a scattershot first act and a ending/sequel that made the whole thing feel like a giant prologue, and Endgame had the baggage of 11+ years of MCU history that at times became quite noticeable. Even Winter Soldier and Civil War felt like much bigger and wider scoop films than they probably should have been. That’s not a knock on any of these movies as I mostly like them all to some extent but what the original Avengers gets right that some of these sequels was held back by, was not biting off more than it can chew but biting JUST as much as it could chew! It was able to be it’s own complete stand-alone film that hinted at what the future can be without having to be muddled by it in it’s own established picture.
When comparing all four Avengers movies and the two Captain America sequels, it would be easy to mistake this as being the least ambitious of those movies. After all, this is the one movie that seems to have the most straightforward plot, the most simplistic and recognizable character arcs, not having to juggle quite as much as the other movies, and doesn’t feel the need to spend time setting up the sequels that may or may not have gotten made. However, it is very important to remember the context of this movie prior to it’s release in 2012.
What many seem to unwillingly forget is that back in 2012, The Avengers were an untested property. There was never a superhero movie quite like it that has ever been displayed on the big screens before. Many folks have said for years that this kind of movie could not or should not have been made. It would be too much of a good thing or just too much at all. Most importantly, this is what Marvel had been building to since 2008. This is the one movie that they had to get right with a bullet point or else all of this build up will have added up to nothing. Even with the other sequels that were in development (Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2, etc.) and probably would have still came out, none of the would have mattered if The Avengers didn’t work. Fortunately, it did and it would work out very well!
Even then, I do think there is something underneath the surface of the original Avengers that don’t get talked about as much now. A big criticism of Endgame was how it felt like a celebration of it’s own existence and just felt like Marvel patting itself on the back. I do wonder if those people that have made that critique have considered that observation for the other three Avengers movie as well. Every one of them had subtext that both felt meta yet earnest at the same time with Marvel being honest with itself with what it is trying to do. Age of Ultron was Marvel coming to the realization that they won’t be able ride the wave they are on forever and they should be willing to enjoy the success at the time that they can. Infinity War was Marvel trying to squish all of their action figures they have collected to that point onto one playset to show off their very impressive rose gallery they have made up to that point. Endgame was Marvel showing off to the world the legacy they had fully built for themselves and let the audiences witness their amazing accomplishments before their very eyes. The original Avengers, however, was Marvel themselves asking the same question as we did when we heard there was gonna be an Avengers movie, is this thing actually going to work?
That’s the key component that the original and even the sequels have that keep them from being more than just big, dumb loud popcorn flicks. In the case of the original Avengers, it’s Marvel basically questioning the own existence of it’s premise and using that has the main through line. Can the Avengers actually function? Will the Avengers learn to fight as a team? Is there enough time and character development giving to each individual Avenger? What is there to care about for the personal stakes and conflicts of the story to make the audiences care despite knowing deep down that most of them will likely live to fight another day? Most importantly, why make the Avengers at all?!
Not only does the movie provide great answers to every single one of these questions but it uses those first two/thirds of the movie to let the audiences know that this movie is in safe hands. They now what they are doing, their reasoning for making it, and are using the first hour and 45 minutes of the film to justify the answers to every single logical question that they might have. Yes, the Avengers can get along despite having personal differences with one another. Yes, each Avengers gets plenty of time and an arc to themselves, along with a great action scene and line or two to themselves, despite this most likely not being the end for them. Yes, this movie is a notification of the achievement that Marvel has accomplished and it will hopefully open the doors for other franchises and themselves for future franchise maintenance.
Then, we get the last third of the movie which is not only one of the grandest final 45 minutes in any movie ever but it basically acts as a firework celebration for itself. While there is plenty of exciting action, mind-blowing special effects, and plenty of juicy, delightful banter presented throughout the course of the final battle, it’s one shot in particular that makes the whole thing come together. This one shot showcases exactly what the entire movie and even the whole Marvel Cinematic Universe was building to up to this point. This is the moment that the movie knows that it accomplished history! It’s this moment that Marvel is thanking the audience and themselves for being along with the ride up to this point and hoping you stick around for many more rides to come! This is when the Avengers truly assembled!
There are definitely things you can nitpick at with The Avengers. Things such as an iffy prologue, Hawkeye being underutilized/underdressed, and Captain America’s downright silly outfit are noticeable cracks in the armor but nothing can take away the amazing experience that this movie was able to provide. The kind of experience that no one will be able to replicate ever again. The kind of experience that was just made for the big screen! The kind of experience that makes the Avengers assembled like no other movie has ever had before! The kind of experience, despite it’s aftermath, was more than worth experiencing!
Happy 10 years birthday, Avengers!
Other comments:
- I was gonna wait until May 4th to make this post since that was when my country was able to actually see it. However, I have something special planned for the month of May that I will go into detail with very soon. Stay tuned!
- Also, happy three year birthday to Avengers: Endgame as well! The Avengers movie that actually was able to the whole world on April 26th!
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