If you haven't heard about next week's $200 million superhero extravaganza The Avengers, then ..... well everyone probably has, so there's no need. It is understated, however, how much of an experiment this colossal film actually is. It features not one superhero, but several, all but one has performed modestly at the box office, not greatly. That exception is Iron Man, which in and of itself was quite the experiment: Marvel decided to make its own film independently, and the only big character they could fathom at that point was Iron Man, a mid-level popularity character. The risk proved to be a reward, and Iron Man far exceeded expectations. That was due, mainly, to the casting of Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark and the direction of Jon Favreau. The following Marvel films did not seem to boast that great creative quality. The Avenger's, however, does seem to. The cast has now been solidly set, with additions like Jeremy Renner and Mark Ruffalo, and the power player is truly co-writer/director Joss Whedon. While Whedon may be vastly overrated by some, he is still a creative force to be reckoned with. Here is a look back at the Marvel continuity of films before the big finale on May 4th.
Iron Man (2008)
Featuring the aforementioned Downey Jr, this film, much like The Dark Knight of the same year, was something different in the superhero genre: relevant. Dealing with international affairs and technological advancements in a post-9/11 world is difficult, but I guess its easier when you have an awesome suit of armor, and a sarcastic billionaire genius to pilot it. It has become the new blueprint for the superhero origin film, full of humor and heart. By the end of the film, it was cemented that both Iron Man and its Leading Man were here to stay. Even after the release of the other Marvel films, this one still holds up to be both the best and the brightest. Having a menacing turn from Jeff Bridges certainly doesn't hurt things, either.
Grade: A-
The Incredible Hulk
After the disappointment of Ang Lee's Hulk, Marvel set to work on a sequel-boot that would feature Edward Norton as the giant green monster's alter ego. The drawback was the creative, which still focused less on Banner's Jekyll/Hide aspect and more on brooding destruction. Director Louis Leterrier was certainly not an addition to the film, though I doubt the blame lies with the director. After all, Ang Lee is a pretty praised filmmaker, and his film was even worse. Costars William Hurt, Liv Tyler, and the always reliable Tim Roth do great work here, but it never rises to be what it should. Reports leaked of Norton's disagreement over the final cut of the film, yet the actor himself even stated that this "feud" was blown way out of proportion. If Ang Lee's film focused too much on the depressed anguish and daddy issues of Banner, this one all but seems to ignore them. Zak Penn's original screenplay was heavily rewritten by Norton, but I feel a different edit could make all the difference. A.O. Scott called it "The Adequate Hulk", for once I can't help but agree. But man, that final fight scene is something to wonder at.
Grade: C
Iron Man 2
It was expected that after the mildly disappointing Hulk film that Marvel would return to form with the sequel to its original hit. This was especially expected since all the same creative team were returning, except Terrence Howard of course. The additions were also something to be excited about: Mickey Rourke as the villain, Sam Rockwell, and Don Cheadle. Yet something about the film didn't click, and it was most popularly diagnosed as being half Iron Man 2 - Half Avengers prequel. Some parts of the film, notably the beginning scenes, Tony's drunken fight with Rhodes, and the speedway fight reminded of the first picture. Others, like the last fourth, felt flustered and paced wrongly.
Grade: C+
Thor
The Asgaardian God of Thunder is a hero, not unlike Green Lantern or Aquaman, who seems near impossible to translate to the cinema and it not be overblown and underfunded (see: Green Lantern). Yet, against these odds, a film starring an unknown Aussie actor and unknown British actor in the hero and villian roles managed to be one of the better films Marvel had to offer. I credit this in many ways to Kenneth Branaugh's direction, moving the story more character-centric. As the hero moves to Earth, though, the film seems to loose its narrative feel, relying less on Thor and more on romantic comedy between he and Natalie Portman's underused character. Out of all the female characters in this Marvel Universe, Portman's scientist Jane Foster has the potential to be a real organ in the overreaching storyline. Instead, she seems relegated to nothing here. Yet the film boasts a strong cast, and, aside from being a modern marvel in terms of product placement, still seems to be a favorite of mine amongst the Marvel breed. Perhaps it's simply because I expected so little and knew less about the titular hero. Whether that's a benefit or a deduction, I'm not entirely sure. But the overbearing and useless product promotion is still disgraceful.
Grade: C
Captain America
From the canon of the Marvel comics, I feel its safe to say no film has more potential than the star spangled hero of WWII , including even the non-Disney owned properties. Not only is he a symbol of national unity, an ideal we've all but forgotten about now, but also a time-spanning "man out of his element". This story, and this character then, deserves more than this sub-par film he was given. This is not to say I routinely disliked the film, in fact, the first half hour or so is great, establishing the character in ways I couldn't picture better. But then the villain of Red Skull is further introduced, Cap goes to war, and then it dud out at the end, basically reversing the plague in The Incredible Hulk. Yet for all Captain America's faults, it biggest achievement was the most unexpected: Chris Evans as Steve Rodgers/Cap. I was one of the many who derided the casting choice, and had no problem admitting I was wrong after I saw the film. After wanting numerous other men to play the choice, I now seem to think of Evans every time the character comes to mind. Even still, that visual style employed by director Joe Johnston and DP Shelley Johnson was outright terrible for me, meandering in neither present time nor past. Many derided the other Marvel films as too pre-Avengers fare, but this one takes the cake for me.
Grade: C
All in all, The Avengers has had solid films building up to it. Whether or not it fulfills this culmination of heroes has (kind of) yet to be seen. There is one thing for certain though: while he may be, to this writer, the weakest part of the whole film universe, Samuel L Jackson will always be smiling, and do it cooler than you.
However, Tom Hiddleston's Loki, whom I find to be maybe the best thing from the film universe, has this reaction to smilin' Sammy:
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