The Avengers

During one month, I witnessed that the cinema still has something to amaze with. The film "Prci, prci, prcičky: Školní sraz" completely knocked me out, and now "Avengers". Well, to tell the truth, I enjoyed "Prcičky" even more and I left with a feeling that I usually don't have in the cinema. But the impressions from "Avengers" are very similar. I went to the Czech premiere with subtitles a bit reserved because I was afraid that it would just be a big hype, but the rest would be disappointing. I didn't have to worry. Joss Whedon, the screenwriter, director, but also a comic book creator and especially a comic book enthusiast, probably created his best work. His TV productions are literally cult classics ("Buffy" or "Firefly"), but it will probably be the comic book that he will always be remembered for. He was offered to make a film about the Avengers, the team of the greatest Marvel superheroes, and that's exactly what he did. A great film about great heroes. More: http://www.filmovy-denik.cz/2012/05/avengers-co-dodat.html (17/02/2013)

It wasn't until the final credits started rolling that I realized that many people's dreams had just come true. Such as the viewers who sensed from the end of the first Iron Man that this superhero gathering would be epic to the top floor of Stark Tower. Or Joss Whedon, who had been smiling under his (fully geeky) beard for so long until he brought us the essence of himself. And last but not least, all the Whedon fans who supported the creator as an unrivaled storyteller for many years. And then, in one of the most-watched movies of recent years, he proved them absolutely right. The Avengers has Stark's audacity, Cap's courage, Thor's rudeness, and Hulk's titanic power. And they mix everything into a cocktail that is almost impossible to drink in one go. Trying to catch all the quotes, breathtaking action scenes, and meticulously crafted details was simply impossible. It wasn't until the second viewing that I realized that Whedon had thoroughly played with his Marvel toy and then lent it to us, ordinary mortals. The fact that he created a perfectly cinematic comic book, nurturing it minute by minute like a mirror of the genre, is another matter altogether. (09/05/2012)

Next to Batman and Watchmen, probably the best comic book adaptation. A film full of fun, thrilling action, wit, polished dialogues, self-reflection, and a fantastic cast; everything a first-class blockbuster should have, and with an incredibly precise tuning of the individual ingredients. The last time something similarly perfect within its genre was seen in cinemas was 1996 when Ronald Emmerich directed Independence Day. (16/05/2012)

An entertaining team film whose success is primarily based on funny lines, interactions between the individual Avengers, and rich visual effects. What’s more, it’s no small bit of redemption that Captain America somehow feels more complete in the context of the Avengers, and that his character doesn't come across as comically as he did in The First Avenger. A viewer unfamiliar with the world of the MCU and its previous films need not despair, as The Avengers works quite well as a standalone film. That said, some familiarity with the previous films will certainly enhance the overall experience. If you have a close relationship with the Marvel universe, it's highly unlikely that you won't like The Avengers. From my perspective, it is a slightly overrated film, but that didn't keep me from giving it a fairly high rating, because it's simply entertaining. (12/07/2017)

In the weight class of superheroes who, instead of psychotherapy sessions where they spend two hours figuring out their superhero identity, manage everything by letting their powers speak, preferably in a pretty fierce, loud, and explosive way, the Avengers actually have no competition far and wide. For the first hour, they tease each other with humor, and they use it together against the alien invasion. Kudos to Whedon for dividing up the roles precisely and giving everyone exactly the space they need. Most importantly, it's all done inventively (camera tricks) and it’s imaginatively (funny inserts even into the serious scenes) shot. [My only criticism goes to Loki. Hiddleston isn't so bland anymore because now he’s a charismatic bastard whose character portrayal by the writers falls a little short. Edit: After the second screening, this criticism no longer applies either.] (04/05/2012)