Search - The Avengers [Blu-ray] on Blu-ray

The Avengers
Blu-ray
Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Joss Whedon

2hr 23min

Blasphemy? Perhaps. But the best thing about what may be the most rousing and well-crafted superhero movie since The Dark Knight is not the boffo action scenes that culminate in a New York City-destroying finale that rival... more »s Michael Bay's obliteration of the Chicago skyline in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. No, the real appeal of The Avengers comes from the quiet moments among a group of decidedly unquiet humans, extra-humans, mutants, and demigods. In no particular order those are Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), S.H.I.E.L.D. world-government commander Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and indispensable functionary Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg). That's a superstar lineup both in and out of character, and The Avengers brilliantly integrates the cast of ensemble egos into a story that snaps and crackles--not to mention smashes, trashes, and destroys--at breakneck pace, never sacrificing visual dazzle or hard-earned story dynamics. Writer-director Joss Whedon is no slouch when it comes to being a comic geek and he handles the heavy duty reins with efficient panache. The effects are of course spectacular. They include a monstrous flying aircraft carrier that is home base to S.H.I.E.L.D. and Nick Fury's Avenger Initiative; Tony Stark's gleaming skyscraper in midtown Manhattan; off-world scenes of malignant evil; as well as blindingly apocalyptic fights and the above-mentioned showdown that leaves New York a virtual ruin. Yet it's the deeply personal conversations and confrontations among the very reluctant team of Avengers that makes the movie pop. Full of humor, snappy dialogue, and little asides that include inside jokes, eye rolls, and personal grudge matches, the script makes these superhumans real beings with sincere passion or feelings of disillusionment. The conviction of the actors as they fully commit to their clever lines gives credibility to what comes off as more than simple banter, even during the more incredible moments among them (of which are many). The plot involves the appearance of Loki, disgraced villain and brother of Thor, who was also a key player in his eponymous movie. Loki has come to Earth to retrieve the Tesseract, a blue-glowing energy cube that is valuable beyond compare to forces good and evil throughout the universe. As Loki, Tom Hiddleston is supremely, yea gloriously appealing as the brilliantly wicked regal charmer who captures minds from S.H.I.E.L.D. and attempts to conquer Earth with the hideous army at his command. To say he is foiled is an understatement. His face-off with the Hulk is one of the giddiest moments in a movie filled with lightheaded mayhem, and is a perfect example of Whedon's throwaway approach to translating the mythic mystique of the Marvel comics universe. Though at times deadly serious (as deadly serious as an outrageous superhero destructo/fight-fest movie can be, that is), The Avengers is best when it lightens up and lets the fun fly alongside the powerhouse punches. By the way, a single blink-and-you'll-miss-it powerhouse punch is another moment that makes Hulk the most loveable underdog of a smashing green rage monster ever. That spirit of fun and pure adventure makes The Avengers the greatest kind of escapist Hollywood fantasy $250 million can buy. A blockbuster in the most literal sense. --Ted Fry

Larger Image

Movie Details

Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Joss Whedon
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Format: Blu-ray
Run Time: 2hr 23min
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaDVD Credits: 6
Total Copies: 2
Members Wishing: 0

Similarly Requested DVDs

X-Men Origins: Wolverine (Two-Disc Edition + Digital Copy) [Blu-ray]

X-Men Origins Wolverine
Two-Disc Edition + Digital Copy
Director: Gavin Hood

166

PG-13 2009 1hr 47min

Captain America The First Avenger
Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy

Interstellar
Blu-ray

2015

Jason Bourne
Blu-ray
Director: Paul Greengrass

Thor
Blu-ray
Director: Kenneth Branagh

1hr 55min

Bones The Complete First Season

134

UR 2006 15hr 46min

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol
Two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo +Digital Copy
Director: Brad Bird

2hr 13min

How to Train Your Dragon 2
Blu-ray

National Treasure 2 - Book of Secrets
Widescreen
Director: Jon Turtletaub

280

PG 2008 2hr 4min

The Incredibles
Two-Disc Collector's Edition
Directors: Bud Luckey, Brad Bird, Roger Gould

541

PG 2005 1hr 55min

Member Movie Reviews

Mike K. (Love2Trade) from BRANDON, SD
Reviewed on 3/23/2023...

This listing is for the 4 disc 3D version.

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 6/29/2019...

A bit slow at times but this movie was the setup of the avengers merging so it took time to set the stage. The special effect fight scenes were impressive though. A must watch for Marvel Comic fans!