I was going to wait until our American cousins had a chance to see the film, but I've been sitting on this post since 25th April and I'm over seeing the tab open. Besides, I have to reboot for some updates so ...
Many of you will know that I am a great fan of badassery in a suit. Some of you are aware that Agent Phil Coulson fit the bill and hit that kink DEAD CENTRE. I mean, who wouldn't love
this?
If you've seen Avengers, you know what I'm here to talk about.
If you haven't seen it yet GO FORTH AND SEE IT AND THEN COME BACK. GO ON!
Joss is, no doubt, well aware that his reputation for killing off loved characters precedes him. You see:
AGENT COULSON IS NOT DEAD!
Fury's in a pretty desperate place and lying is not a problem for him - he admitted lying about the collector cards being in Phil's jacket. He needed something and Phil's words rang true for him. So the paramedics WERE able to save Phil, but Fury was willing to say anything to the Avengers and he knows news of Phil's death will work.
But Phil's not dead (and not just in the "alive in our hearts" sense). Phil loves his job and showed he was willing to make every sacrifice. His trading cards covered in blood would happily have been one of them and he, like Fury, would have done whatever was needed to save the world. Being complicit in the lie of his own death would be no exception.
So, in the future films, somewhere, somewhen, Whedon gets to confound the folk who call him yawningly predictable in killing off loved characters. The interesting part, however, is this:
For the next however many Marvel films, Fury has his most competent agent free to meddle behind the scenes and BEHIND THE OTHER CHARACTER'S BACKS. A "don't worry HOW I know", "I've got a man on it" character. A shadow glanced out of the corner of a character's eye, a fleeting moment of indecision, memory, nostalgia and purpose. An unseen hand, guided by Fury, causing ripples in any/all their lives and plot lines, as required.
If you were directing/writing one of the next few movies, wouldn't you LOVE to have that?
And, seriously, how much more badass can the Son of Coul get than pulling that off?
Right. I've now got that out of my system. Please resume lusting after the cast, squeeing over all the pairings and passing out because
ALL THE FEELINGS