Preparing for Avengers: 6 Films to watch

My mate and i decided that with 3 weeks left until Avengers is released at the cinema, we'd refresh ourselves in terms of the characters in the film (in terms of modern cinema releases at least).
(Movie trailers, hosted at Apple)

First up was "Hulk" (2003). (IMBD rating 5.7)
I enjoyed this far more than the rating might suggest, but think that Ang Lee was deliberately trying to get some thinking on the part of the audience, rather than spoon-feeding us all; arguably his downfall in what is percieved as a superhero film, but i dont think that is the fault of anything other than people's preconceived ideas. Minutes can go by without any dialogue, but i really liked most of the characters - i didnt much rate Banner's dad though, and especially when he became a super-villan was particularly wasted.
Edit: I wanted to add too that I really liked the stylish, comic-book style wipes and visual edits. I haven't seen any, outside of Anime, that I enjoyed as much or thought were so appropriate since the proper Star Wars films.

Last night we watched "Iron Man" (2008). (IMBD rating 7.9)
Great, great film - the first 15 mins sets it up so well and RD Jr is just perfectly cast. There were some really nice touches like the near-science and near-engineering that went into the suit design (ok, its not real, but it comes across like it just could be), and even the VR suit designing; and even though they replaced him for the sequel, I thought the actor playing Rhodey was great; downsides for me were that although I really rate Jeff Bridges as an actor, and visually he had presence in the film, i'm not sure his character was all that well written. Pepper was awesome though.

Edit:
"The Incredible Hulk" (2008) (IMBD rating 7.0)
I've watched this now. Wow... and not in a great way. For me overall, this second Hulk was weaker than the first, and overall quite disappointing.
I really like Edward Norton, both as an actor generally, and as Bruce Banner, and I think he carried the film alot. Liv Tyler... always plays pouty Liv Tyler. Yeah she's pretty, in a 'help me i'm vulnerable' kind of way, but annoys by always looking to be on the verge of tears. I also really liked the opening Act, the Brazil setting was cool, but the film went pretty much downhill from there.
Didnt like how they did The Abomination. I really didnt like the CGI, i thought it was significantly weaker than the film from 5 years previous.... I also really missed the Hulk, you know, Hulking out (this one just seemed more grumpy, the 2003 Hulk came across as more angry). The story in this, not so good as the first.
AND I missed the big Hulk leaps, although on balance i'm hoping that the Avengers Hulk finds a mid-point between the 10 meter leaps of 2008 Hulk and the Mountain-top-to-Mountain-top leaps of 2003 Hulk.
I really cant see though how IMDB gives this a 7.
Finally, although it was cool to see RD Jr having a cameo at the end, it made me wonder if we'd watched the films in the wrong order, what with Tony Stark now seeming to be the man to rally the Avengers together - I would have thought that only Nick Fury did that, but i'll wait to see IM2 again to see how it stacks up.
Oh, one last thing - I really appreciated lots of little touches that referenced the 70's Hulk TV show - Bill Bixby on the TV, the whole look-and-feel in the opening credits of Bruce Banner on the lab chair with the green cross on the forehead, and later on in the score a reprise of the 70's piano theme. Very nicely done.

Edit:
"Iron Man 2" (2010) (IMBD rating 7.0)
Enjoyable in places, but the story.. i dont know. It seemed a bit contrived in places, and oh look - the bad guys are Iron Men too. I thought even before the film came out that Whiplash would be a poor main enemy, and this remains my view on having seen it at the cinema and again at home - although the character and indeed the actor are good... but hes just not a main bad guy in my book. Justin Hammer had potential to really slay Tony Stark, but i felt he wasnt well written - a bit of a joke actually, which is a shame as anyone who has seen Moon (2009) will know Sam Rockwell can be a god.
Similarly for War Machine, I would have liked more screen time. Oh, and Rhodey 1 is better than Rhodey 2.
I still absolutely rate both Tony Stark played by RDJr and Pepper Potts by GP - great actors, and excellent casting.

"Thor" (2011) (IMBD rating 7.0)
(Still waiting to re-watch)

"Captain America" (2011). (IMBD rating 6.8)
Loved it, again. For me, the most 'true' superhero film of the lot - lots of humor, a central character that i really rooted for, and just THE BEST effects in any film i have ever seen (ie the weedy Steve Rogers - just perfectly rendered and mapped).
It also i think was very obviously a warm up film, designed almost entirely to lead in to a greater story. Loved it.

Looking forward to it all!

Ang Lee's Hulk is probably the weakest of the six in my opinion, I found Cap a little lacking as well but Thor nad Iron Man 2 more than made up for it :)

I don't recommend digging deeper into Marvels recent fare though, I had the misfortune of watching Ghost Rider 2 this weekend and it is without doubt one of the worst films I've ever sat through :(

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Originally Posted by Knoxville

I don't recommend digging deeper into Marvels recent fare though, I had the misfortune of watching Ghost Rider 2 this weekend and it is without doubt one of the worst films I've ever sat through :(

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Really??? that bad!

I was actually looking forward to watching Ghost Rider 2 over the next few days.

Can\'t wait for the Avengers, I hope it lives up to the hype.

I personally was a little disappointed with both Thor and Captain America, although I personally reckon that was because they were hyped up beyond belief by a couple of friends who are rather big Marvel fans :P
None of them are terrible films though in my opinion. Really liked Edward Norton as the Hulk.

Got Thor sitting on my SkyHD box waiting for me to watch it....just wondering whether I should wait until I\'ve sorted the sub I\'ve been promising myself....

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Originally Posted by dave87

Got Thor sitting on my SkyHD box

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The build quality these days must be really good.

Thor's decent enough for a watch, couple of bass moments Dave but not as much as you might hope for.

A film that's worth saving the sub for? Kung Fu Panda. No joke, it'll tear your house down!

Thor is easily the worst Marvel film i've seen, granted, i've seen neither of the Hulk films yet.

Had forgotten this was coming out soon, just re-watched the trailer, looking forward to it.

I wonder how they'll handle giving that many super heroes adequate screen time?

I know where you are coming from Mike, always felt that the Xmen films didnt devote enough time to Cyclops (not to mention having Iceman as a kid and Angel not appearing till 3rd film), a key character in the Xmen mythos.

As far as Marvel movies go, there have been a few duds, I did try to watch Ghost Rider drunk one night, that didnt improve it at all, terrible film, will avoid the 2nd. Not seen Elektra yet, cant say I want to. Daredevil was ok, apart from a severe lack of character development. Xmen 3 was weak, but miles better than any of the films I just mentioned.

Cap Am, Thor, Hulk I felt were ok, nothing amazing, the Spidey and X movies (including Wolverine) were far superior in terms of story, I preferred the Ed Norton hulk to the other. Thor and Cap Am relied a bit too much on special effects and too little on acting/story imo. Lets hope The Avengers sorts that out.

on a side note, cant even say Captain America without the words to Paradise City running through my brain :)

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Originally Posted by MSIC

First up was "Hulk" (2003). (IMBD rating 5.7)
I enjoyed this far more than the rating might suggest, but think that Ang Lee was deliberately trying to get some thinking on the part of the audience, rather than spoon-feeding us all; arguably his downfall in what is percieved as a superhero film, but i dont think that is the fault of anything other than people's preconceived ideas. Minutes can go by without any dialogue, but i really liked most of the characters - i didnt much rate Banner's dad though, and especially when he became a super-villan was particularly wasted.
Edit: I wanted to add too that I really liked the stylish, comic-book style wipes and visual edits. I haven't seen any, outside of Anime, that I enjoyed as much or thought were so appropriate since the proper Star Wars films.

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I agree. The ending IMHO was weird but I actually thought the characterisation was appropriate. The newer film seems to be more crash! bang! wallop! IMHO.

To quote a former HEXUS reviewer who was something of an authority on these things: "Scarlett Johansson is alltheüberhotness."

Therefore I enjoyed the Iron Man films (RDJ is a bit of allright too if you can admit to a man-crush) and am looking forward to the Avengers.

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Originally Posted by TastyPC

Really??? that bad!

I was actually looking forward to watching Ghost Rider 2 over the next few days.

Can't wait for the Avengers, I hope it lives up to the hype.

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Worse, even Jeremy Clarkson would struggle to torture a metaphor that aptly describes the sheer unadulterated horror that is Ghost Rider 2.

The first film sat nicely in DareDevil/X3 territory for me... Yeah, it was bad but it was the kinda movie you could sit and watch for an hour if you happened to change channel and it was already on. The sequel just tries too hard in every respect and fails to the extent that it makes Punisher Warzone look like Dark Knight :/

Thor and Captain America were pretty average. Hulk was okay iirc but then I can't really remember it.

I have good memories of the shadow (1994). As above spiderman. Liked the Batmans but then again there are not alot of superhero movies I would want to watch again.

Lets no forget Flash Gordon. If only for the soundtrack and the legendary Brian Blessed.

Watched "The Incredible Hulk" (2008) tonight, my thoughts in first post.

I have seen all of the movies mentioned and was honestly not too impressed with any of them. The special effects were nice, but in terms of entertainment they didn't live up to Batman Begins or The Dark Knight for me. Not really into comic books so I can't swear allegiance to either Marvel or DC, but judging from my prior experiences, I am far more hyped for The Dark Knight Rises as opposed to The Avengers.