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The spoiler alert is a precaution. I don't like to get too specific when I write like this about movies, but I don't want to ruin the experience for anyone. The first movie under this new method will be The Avengers, which blew my mind with its awesomeness. On a completely shallow level, it was full of all sorts of eye candy that I was in a perpetual state of "squee" over for the entire film. Thank you casting directors of previous Marvel films. Really, thank you, especially for that almost completely nude Mark Ruffalo scene.
On a less shallow note, Joss Whedon did an amazing job. Minimal objectification of Scarlett Johansson and major respect for her acting and her character. The "recovery" scene between her and Jeremy Renner was so well acted. The subtext was just lovely. I will say that Joss Whedon is amazing when he directs women. I've never seen a work of his that approaches women with anything less than respect. He shows that women can be powerful and sexy whilst remaining covered. I salute you Mr. Whedon. Johansson was also completely badass in the fight scenes and showed that she can beat anybody (except the Hulk) up.
As a comic book fan I really appreciated Whedon's treatment of such classic characters. I'll admit to a bit of ignorance about Marvel comics. I've always loved DC just a little bit more, and I haven't read a mainstream Marvel comic in a long time. This movie makes me want to start reading them again. You don't have to know a lot about Marvel or even comic books to know that when you adapt beloved characters to the big screen that someone is going to get upset. Whedon knows comics, he's read them and written them. He was a perfect choice as writer and director of this film. Disney could not have chosen anyone better.
The casting for this was amazing (for other reasons than eye candy). Marvel/Disney was playing a risky game by giving all these people (w/ the obvious exceptions) their own movies before this film. They had to be able to work on those well, with a different cast of characters, and be able to work together on this one. I'm glad that Mark Ruffalo was cast as Bruce Banner/the Hulk. He and Robert Downey, Jr. had amazing chemistry. The rest of the cast wasn't shabby on that score either.
The only problem I had with this movie was the death of Agent Coulson. I have a love/hate relationship with Joss Whedon's ability to play my heartstrings like Steve Martin plays the banjo. I love that he makes us love characters like Wash, Shepherd, and Penny. I hate that he kills them and makes me cry like a little baby.
I give this movie a "re-watchable to the max" score and leave you with this: "That's my secret, Cap, I'm always angry."
