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Reagen Sulewski: This was probably the closest experience I've had in the theater of what it feels like to read a comic book. All the jumping around in perspective felt exactly like how one of those giant all-star team-up issues reads, and it did so without sacrificing the cinematic quality. I could almost construct how the comic would be paneled while I was watching it.

One thing I was very appreciative of was how Joss was able to give each character their moment without hitting us over the head with it. He typically doesn't stop the movie for you to get the joke or see the character development, and trusts that you're along for the ride. It's nice to be treated like an adult.

Max Braden: I saw it on a moderately large screen in 3D, which reinforced conclusions I'd already made: 1) 3D makes a screen seem a little bit smaller, so you need a huge screen to compensate, 2) 3D fails in close action (like hand-to-hand fighting) or with wide open lens apertures, because if anything goes blurry, the 3D effect is busted, and 3) the darkness of the glasses mutes the beauty of the cinematography. I would have preferred 2D.

I liked Banner and Stark, and Agent Coulson a lot. I really liked that they gave Black Widow a real psychological skill in addition to looking hot in a tight outfit. Paltrow looked great in the shorts, but I wanted more from Pepper Potts, and Hawkeye. Hulk and Thor provided the peak laughs, but their invincibility makes things kind of boring. And Captain America is too much of a sourpuss. And poor Cobie Smulders, trying so hard with a role that didn't provide much to work with.

Overall, I didn't have any fault with the movie, but it was still a little...quiet...for me, even during the action sequences. I think more music would have helped. Iron Man is still the better movie because it's more fun and lively. And I think the best moments of The X-Men series exceed the best moments of The Avengers.

David Mumpower: I want to avoid spoilers here as much as possible, so I will be vague in a manner that I hope people who have seen the movie understand while those who have not (both of you) can deduce intent. Reagen touches upon the character development, and this is the true strength of the film. I previously discussed how much I enjoy the implementation of Hawkeye, the Least Avenger in my eyes. Black Widow is the same way in this regard. The start of the film elevates her into the rarefied air of topnotch espionage agents, the toughest humans known to man. Then, she is trapped in a claustrophobic situation with an indomitable enemy and the viewer appreciates exactly how terrifying that monster is. Then, others attempt to subjugate the same enemy and the viewer recognizes how bad-ass they must be to accomplish this feat. Everything in The Avengers is a matter of scale with clear definitions that provide a blueprint for how the entire affair plays out. As a pure action movie, it is an impeccable achievement. What makes The Avengers a movie for the ages is that it is also funny every step of the way. Joss Whedon accomplished this once before with Serenity ("Tell me you brought them this time"), and that is what secures him as the perfect director for a film combining six superheroes (seven if you count Nick Fury) into one quip-riffic team. Iron Man was my favorite movie of 2008. The Avengers is the deluxe version of it.

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