Overall Rating: 
Grade: A-
Score: 8.1/10
Family-Friendliness Scale: Level 3 (Good)
Ages 12+
Lets' do a head count. A self-obsessed person in a metal machine that doesn't play well with others. A man with serious anger issues who grows and turns green. A super soldier who wakes up after being frozen and asleep for seven decades. A Norse god who's brother is planning on taking over Earth. And two master assassins? Hmmm, that's what we'd like to call the Avengers Initiative.
After falling to Earth in Thor, a powerful cube from the faraway land of Asgard is under investigation by S.H.I.E.L.D. But when Loki (Tom Hiddleston) transports himself to Earth through it, he begins his reign of terror, destroying S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters and taking hostage one of its' top agents, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner). Trying to figure out what to do, agency leader Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) brings together Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), the Hulk (a.k.a. Professor Bannon played by Mark Ruffalo), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) along with top S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Black Widow (Scarlett Johannson) to stop Loki before his official terror reign begins.
Positive Notes
As with other superhero films, Avengers has lots of solid examples on heroism, self-sacrifice, and teamwork. Although he normally is very cocky, Tony Stark (Iron Man) does learn self-sacrifice the hard way by taking one for the team. Captain America (my favorite Avenger) leads with dignity, and has his focus set clearly on risking his own life. Thor tries to restore the relationship with his brother (in which unfortunately he isn't successful at). And the Hulk learns to not "attack good guys", and trust those who want to help him. Strong role models are seen, and we also get a strong message on setting aside differences for a worthy cause.
The film has incredible special effects, and it all leads up to an incredible piece of Transformers mixed with Spider Man and Batman like climax. While I didn't see it in 3D, the nicely-done CGI effects are combined with excellent camera-work to enhance the film's quality. The cast does a great job with their parts, and Alan Silvestri does a fine job with the music.
There are some hilarious cartoonish laughs with the Hulk's smacking around, and we hear a brief reference when Captain states "there is only one God".
Negative Notes
The Avengers has several scenes of mayhem and violence. For the most part, its' bloodless (except for one agent being killed by a stabbing and a couple other serious injuries), but at times it can be relentless and its' likely to be very overwhelming and scary for very young children. Loki has a scary-looking alien army and the Hulk's first transformation may also have a similar effect. Black Widow is also seen being threatened and captured by an enemy Russian force. The film also carries over a dozen mild profanities (six h-words, four d-words, two uses each of the a-word and p-word, and three strong insults) that weren't needed. Tony Stark, is, as usual, cocky. He references a drug once, makes a suggestive joke, and always seems resistant to working with others. Following his first transformation, Dr. Banner is seen naked under smoldering rubble (he is seen from the waist up).
Conclusion
Effects-laden superhero flicks have dominated multiplexes over the past decade. Spider-Man, The Dark Knight (Batman), Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Superman, Thor, the X-Men, Captain America and Green Lantern have all been in movies since the dawn of the 21st century. Sometimes, how we see them on the big screen lets us all know that we may actually now be in "the futuristic age".
But all that aside, Avengers is an ensemble film that has eye-popping and camera-jostling action. It's impressively done, but despite having some rust in the machine (in the form of unnecessary language and a negative example or two), it still won me over. Let me tell you why:
I think that we all have personal disagreements, and all the heroes, despite all saving the world for the same purpose, they have different goals. Captain is still trying to blend into the world after being frozen for a long time, Thor is trying to restore his relationship with Loki, Iron Man is trying to find a better way to promote steel weapons, and the Hulk (or Professor Banner) is trying to control his anger (he does admit though, "he's always angry"). And in a way, those differences can be related to everyday life. Every single one of us have a different goal despite somewhat appearing to have the same interests. In fact, while captured, Loki took advantage of the heroes' differences in order to get free. But the heroes resolve them to stop him, and in a kind of hidden way, they let us know that there are more important things in life than our own personal goals. That gives the film a great amount of heart, something that I have not seen in any similar films.
Now, in terms of family-friendliness, normally I would say that this film is not appropriate for young children. But, at the screening I attended, I saw young children with Captain America shields and Hulk punching gloves. It made me realize something. Today's kids do go see this stuff, and apparently, they're not bothered by the unrelenting violence.
But just because I said that does not necessarily mean most young kids should see it. However, The Avengers still offers much more than just clever camera-work and 3D imagery. It offers us a lot more heart than what we normally get from superhero flicks, and that's what makes the film worth seeing.
