The Avengers assemble a smashing success
With less than two weeks until its UK release, Marvel’s The Avengers (or Avengers Assemble, as it’s needlessly being touted in this land) is just about ready for release. Why just about? Well, last night’s “fan screening” was presented in glorious 2D, so this review won’t be able to offer any insight into how effective the 3D version is or isn’t. Then there’s that extra scene Robert Downey Jr mentioned that was to be shot following the premiere (which Marvel studios producer Kevin Feige sheds a bit of light on here). Still, with 99% off the pieces in place, it’s easy enough to make a call on Joss Whedon’s super super-hero film The Avengers.
The Avengers assembles at UK cinemas 26 April
Bringing together an all-star cast of characters with an all-star cast of actors was never going to be an enviable task, yet writer/director Whedon manages to make it look easy across the 2+ hour run-time. It would certainly behoove the viewer to have seen the films that have led to The Avengers, especially Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America: The First Avenger as little time is spent re-introducing the central figures, as Whedon focuses on continuing their stories and their personal growth. A great example of this is seen in Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) response to the new threat posed in The Avengers by his embittered brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). In the spirit of teamwork, here’s a look at how The Avengers work once they’re assembled.
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The Cabin in the Woods that must be seen to be believed
On 13 April everyone should be seeing The Cabin in the Woods. Unless you hate fun.
Some films are so unconventional that a conventional review would only serve to do such films an injustice. The Cabin in the Woods is a perfect example of exactly that kind of flick. Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard have delivered such a spectacular work of modern art that anyone who sees The Cabin in the Woods owes it to them to shut their mouths about what happens in it. Of course, many will ask “but what’s it about?” Fine. It’s about five university students who head off to a remote cabin in the woods to spend a weekend together. That is all anyone needs to know before seeing this. What’s that? You want more information. Okay, look, here’s what can safely be discussed without spoiling the film:
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