Avengers!
Non-spoilery review: Literally the second it ended I was trying to figure out when I could see it again.
Spoilery review: I can't assemble (HAR) anything remotely approaching coherence in my reaction, and honestly, even though it wasn't a perfect movie in terms of everything quite making sense, a) it's comics so I don't give a shit and b) my world is a no-buzz-harshing zone right now, so I have no need for a complete, coherent review anyway. Instead, some points:
1. THOR I LOVE YOUR BIG DUMB FAAAAAAACE
2. ALSO STEVE, GOOD JOB ON YOUR HIGH-WAISTED PANTS
3. Natasha! UM, I LOVE HER NOW? I mean in retrospect I shouldn't be surprised that Joss Whedon was like "Orrrrr the female character could do things, how about that?" but that was honestly my biggest hope/worry going in - I wanted her to be as central as the big guns, and she was. (Also non-surprising in retrospect, Joss-wise: introducing the female lead with her looking powerless and overwhelmed by big scary dudes but she actually has them exactly where she wants them and kicks their asses, and having the female lead run away from a very large monster.) I loved her intro scene, I loved her exchange with Loki, I loved watching her wipe the floor with Clint, I loved that she got to be the one to actually close the portal, I loved her I loved her I loved her. YAY NATASHA!
3a. The movie didn't pass the Bechdel Test but at least all three ladies in it were shown as awesomely competent? I am kind of :/ about Pepper and Tony's relationship because she can do SO MUCH BETTER but it was actually really cute in this and also nicely egalitarian, with him, like, listening to her and telling her things. And Other Lady Whose Name I Did Not Catch Because the Sound in the Theater Was Really Mumbly was also cool! And her role was completely gender neutral! Good job, OLWNIDNCBESITTWRM!
3b. Next movie: MORE SUPERLADIES PLEASE.
4. Tony was exactly as Tony as necessary and not a smidgen more! He could have been way too Tony, especially in the hands of such a bantery writer. Good job Joss and RDJ for balancing him with everyone else.
5. Um, so you know how after I saw Thor I was like, "Wait, Thor is for GIRLS?" because it is basically a Disney movie? I never expected to give a crap about Bruce Banner OR the Hulk and I loved them both. HULK SMASH. HULK SAVE SHINY METAL FRIEND. HULK PUNCH THOR FOR NO REASON. <333
5a. There is going to be a LOT of Bruce/Tony fic now, isn't there? Because wow, Tony was really all about the PLEASE BE MY BEST FRIEND FOREVER, YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON HERE WHO UNDERSTANDS WORDS LONGER THAN TWO SYLLABLES. I can take or leave them as a pairing, but that was hilarious and also adorable. (I also feel like he and Pepper are going to have a long conversation about inviting any/all Avengers to their bed, and she's just like "No. No. Definitely not. Not him either. And if you suggest that to Steve HE WILL DIE, so also no."
5b. Now I want them to meet Reed and Peter and just DORK OUT FOR A MILLION YEARS.
6. Clint! Was also there! We were really only supposed to care about him because Natasha did, which I actually kind of like because it's usually the other way around, gender-wise. And I love archers, so when Becky and Rachel were like "But...arrows?" I was like SHUT UP ARROWS ARE COOL I BELIEVE EVERYTHING HE DID IN THIS MOVIE WAS POSSIBLE. But yeah, he was basically just also there.
7. COULSON. Which I have now typoed multiple times as COULSOB, which is appropriate. But I have decided that he's not dead and Fury faked it like he faked the cards, because SON OF COOOOOOOUL.
8. Eh, Loki. I mean, he's a good villain, I just don't care about villains, or psychotic crybabies, SORRY FANDOM. (Ohhh, that's gonna get me defriended a few places.) BUT I did actually enjoy him for the first time when he just sat around watching Thor and Tony fight with UTTER GLEE on his face. If he had pulled out a bucket of popcorn he would have been my new favorite character, swear to God.)
9. ALSO I thought the movie did a great job of "Now Hero A fights Hero B!" with only one of those fights (Thor/Tony) being COMPLETELY POINTLESS, and even then it was worth it just because I knew Steve would show up and be like "CHILDREN." But, like, Hulk vs. Natasha? Hulk vs. Thor? Natasha vs. Clint? All made sense! AND WERE AWESOME.
9a. I guess this movie answered the hammer vs. shield question. Someone get Wolverine's claws over here.
10. My office was destroyed in the final battle, so I guess I don't have to go to work on Monday.
11. The very last scene was the GREATEST THING EVER and I would watch a movie that was just two hours of that. I've found that lately, the more I enjoy an ensemble piece/the better I think it is, the more I just ship everyone/group hugs rather than pairings (see also: Avatar, BTR). So basically all I need in my life is for Thor to come back in the second movie and scoop everyone up in a bear hug while yelling "WELL MET, MY FRIENDS!" while they all look really uncomfortable. FUND IT.
11a. And also more superladies.
Spoilery review: I can't assemble (HAR) anything remotely approaching coherence in my reaction, and honestly, even though it wasn't a perfect movie in terms of everything quite making sense, a) it's comics so I don't give a shit and b) my world is a no-buzz-harshing zone right now, so I have no need for a complete, coherent review anyway. Instead, some points:
1. THOR I LOVE YOUR BIG DUMB FAAAAAAACE
2. ALSO STEVE, GOOD JOB ON YOUR HIGH-WAISTED PANTS
3. Natasha! UM, I LOVE HER NOW? I mean in retrospect I shouldn't be surprised that Joss Whedon was like "Orrrrr the female character could do things, how about that?" but that was honestly my biggest hope/worry going in - I wanted her to be as central as the big guns, and she was. (Also non-surprising in retrospect, Joss-wise: introducing the female lead with her looking powerless and overwhelmed by big scary dudes but she actually has them exactly where she wants them and kicks their asses, and having the female lead run away from a very large monster.) I loved her intro scene, I loved her exchange with Loki, I loved watching her wipe the floor with Clint, I loved that she got to be the one to actually close the portal, I loved her I loved her I loved her. YAY NATASHA!
3a. The movie didn't pass the Bechdel Test but at least all three ladies in it were shown as awesomely competent? I am kind of :/ about Pepper and Tony's relationship because she can do SO MUCH BETTER but it was actually really cute in this and also nicely egalitarian, with him, like, listening to her and telling her things. And Other Lady Whose Name I Did Not Catch Because the Sound in the Theater Was Really Mumbly was also cool! And her role was completely gender neutral! Good job, OLWNIDNCBESITTWRM!
3b. Next movie: MORE SUPERLADIES PLEASE.
4. Tony was exactly as Tony as necessary and not a smidgen more! He could have been way too Tony, especially in the hands of such a bantery writer. Good job Joss and RDJ for balancing him with everyone else.
5. Um, so you know how after I saw Thor I was like, "Wait, Thor is for GIRLS?" because it is basically a Disney movie? I never expected to give a crap about Bruce Banner OR the Hulk and I loved them both. HULK SMASH. HULK SAVE SHINY METAL FRIEND. HULK PUNCH THOR FOR NO REASON. <333
5a. There is going to be a LOT of Bruce/Tony fic now, isn't there? Because wow, Tony was really all about the PLEASE BE MY BEST FRIEND FOREVER, YOU'RE THE ONLY PERSON HERE WHO UNDERSTANDS WORDS LONGER THAN TWO SYLLABLES. I can take or leave them as a pairing, but that was hilarious and also adorable. (I also feel like he and Pepper are going to have a long conversation about inviting any/all Avengers to their bed, and she's just like "No. No. Definitely not. Not him either. And if you suggest that to Steve HE WILL DIE, so also no."
5b. Now I want them to meet Reed and Peter and just DORK OUT FOR A MILLION YEARS.
6. Clint! Was also there! We were really only supposed to care about him because Natasha did, which I actually kind of like because it's usually the other way around, gender-wise. And I love archers, so when Becky and Rachel were like "But...arrows?" I was like SHUT UP ARROWS ARE COOL I BELIEVE EVERYTHING HE DID IN THIS MOVIE WAS POSSIBLE. But yeah, he was basically just also there.
7. COULSON. Which I have now typoed multiple times as COULSOB, which is appropriate. But I have decided that he's not dead and Fury faked it like he faked the cards, because SON OF COOOOOOOUL.
8. Eh, Loki. I mean, he's a good villain, I just don't care about villains, or psychotic crybabies, SORRY FANDOM. (Ohhh, that's gonna get me defriended a few places.) BUT I did actually enjoy him for the first time when he just sat around watching Thor and Tony fight with UTTER GLEE on his face. If he had pulled out a bucket of popcorn he would have been my new favorite character, swear to God.)
9. ALSO I thought the movie did a great job of "Now Hero A fights Hero B!" with only one of those fights (Thor/Tony) being COMPLETELY POINTLESS, and even then it was worth it just because I knew Steve would show up and be like "CHILDREN." But, like, Hulk vs. Natasha? Hulk vs. Thor? Natasha vs. Clint? All made sense! AND WERE AWESOME.
9a. I guess this movie answered the hammer vs. shield question. Someone get Wolverine's claws over here.
10. My office was destroyed in the final battle, so I guess I don't have to go to work on Monday.
11. The very last scene was the GREATEST THING EVER and I would watch a movie that was just two hours of that. I've found that lately, the more I enjoy an ensemble piece/the better I think it is, the more I just ship everyone/group hugs rather than pairings (see also: Avatar, BTR). So basically all I need in my life is for Thor to come back in the second movie and scoop everyone up in a bear hug while yelling "WELL MET, MY FRIENDS!" while they all look really uncomfortable. FUND IT.
11a. And also more superladies.