Everything in existence has it's peaks and valleys and nothing escapes this duality----the MCU that we're seeing right now is perhaps a pale reflection of what it once was, but it doesn't really take away anything from the sheer greatness that it was back in the pre-Endgame saga. And as the MCU is currently going through it's inevitable 'phase of the Valley', this article attempts to celebrate this enormously grand and unique movie franchise by remembering one of most important and pivotal films to have come out of it----the film that not only played a key part in making the MCU what it is today but also created a massive cultural shockwave that paved the way for all the other subsequent films that we've seen from the franchise.
And it's none other than The Avengers (2012)----the first billion dollar global blockbuster that had a huge role on making the MCU a juggernaut of a Worldwide movie franchise and a household name. Sure, there are multiple movies in the MCU that have far surpassed The Avengers when it comes to individual aspects of filmmaking----Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the first Iron Man and even Avengers: Infinity War trumps this film in one or several categories but what makes the Avengers stand out among them all is the fact that it was the only film that had managed to capture the sheer joy and thrills of a pure, unadulterated Superhero movie experience in ways that no other film in the franchise could or even come close.
It was also the film that had turned me into a MCU fan back in the day and made me truly excited about it's future like no other film in the franchise ever did. The sheer joy of watching some of my favorite fictional characters on the big screen exactly the way they are in the comics, was a watershed moment for me that many of the later films in the franchise had wore me out of as they lacked that certain comicbook-charm that the Avengers had depicted so vividly.
This was also one of the most true-to-form Superhero films in the franchise as it truly and unashamedly celebrated all the euphoria and spectacle of what Superhero films are capable of being, instead of dressing it all up in the garb of culturally conscious and socially relevant themes. The Avengers fully embraced the lighthearted nature of it's source material and the escapist power fantasy that Superhero stories deliver, and had managed to turn it all into a timelessly enjoyable cinematic experience where all of it's disparate ingredients work in perfect synergy.
Another reason that made The Avengers so special is the overall chemistry it had in terms of grandiose Superhero fantasies, sincere characterizations that resonated with the audience and gloriously tasteful humor that effortlessly blends with the whole experience. The distinct MCU-flavor that has been a staple of the longstanding franchise was perfected in this movie, in ways that are still quite unmatched over a decade later.
More than being an ensemble film that brings together all of the protagonists in an unforgettable romp of cinematic thrill-ride, The Avengers cherished it's comic-book roots with uncanny accuracy that has resulted in some of the most endlessly re-watchable moments in the whole MCU----sure there are choke full of memorable superhero moments in all the later Avengers films but none that made me feel like a child and grin from ear to ear like Hulk vs Thor or even to a lesser extent, Iron Man vs Thor. And who can forget the moment when Iron Man's Repulser Beams reflect off of Cap's shield or when Hulk one-shots the Leviathan? These comic-accurate treatments of these beloved characters remain one of the reasons why The Avengers is so fondly memorable.
And in terms of comic-accurate treatments, I personally feel the Battle of New York was far better at being an 'Avengers-battle' than both the Battle of Wakanda in Infinity War and the climactic battle against Thanos' army in Endgame, for the sole reason that it had Hulk the way he's meant to be all the way through, unlike in the later films where he was mostly benched and overshadowed in favor of newer characters. It's something that has never sit right with me and I'm pretty sure many of you have felt the same way.
Also, the way the Avengers had set up the future of the MCU was remarkably special and something that felt missing in the later Avengers films----getting a glimpse of Thanos at the end credits and what it could potentially mean for our heroes had me stoked in ways that not even Thanos' Snap at the end of Avengers: Infinity War could match. Honestly, there's a certain magic and mystique with the way the Avengers handled everything that the later films struggled to get right, but maybe that's partly because the MCU felt much more fresh and exciting back in 2012.
Time is the ultimate measuring stick for everything----and as I look back on the MCU as a whole, this is the film that takes me back with the most cherished memories. Everything about it has a certain timeless quality that still makes it as enjoyable as it was back in 2012. I'd say that in terms of sheer rewatch-value, the Avengers holds up extremely well even to this day with it's impeccable mix of Superhero-fantasy, glorious action set pieces and humor that felt both organic and inseparable from the overall experience rather than feeling forced like many of the later films in the MCU.
From faithful depictions of the Hearts-on-sleeves characters that we've come to love since childhood to it's blend of quirky and addictive humor that makes it so much more enjoyable on repeated viewings, the Avengers still remain every bit of a rollicking good time as it was back in 2012. And that's also what made this film a cultural cornerstone which had ushered a whole new era of Superhero films which simply couldn't have existed without it.
To sum it all up, the Avengers have assembled several times on the big screen and will no doubt continue to do so for many more times in the future but at no point has it felt more joyous and fulfilling than back in 2012. For me, this film was peak-MCU and single-handedly kicked off the golden age of Superhero cinema, in ways that still makes it one of the most endearing and memorable films in the history of the medium.
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