Revisiting The First "Avengers" Film In 2025
With the rebirth of the buzz surrounding the MCU, I decided to hit the rewind button and rewatch the original Avengers film for the first time in 10 YEARS.
I'm interested in knowing if it's as good as I remember it from when I saw it in theaters, which, at the time, I thought was one of the most fun "action/adventure" movies ever. So, here's every single thought that crossed my mind while I watched it almost a decade after watching it:1. No memory of this opening already.2. Meh. Never been a Loki fan, but this is an extremely weird "here is our villain" cold opening to introduce the alien army.3. Samuel L. Jackson enters the chat. He never really gets his flowers for playing Nick Fury. He's always so good.4. "Doors open from both sides." Very fun line. Very comic-book-y.5. Loki arrives, and his hair looks RIDICULOUS.6. I'm just remembering this whole Hawkeye possessed subplot.7. "Loki, brother of Thor!" Smooth reminder. (lol)8. A necessary opening, but the weakest of The Avengers movies.9. I forget how hard that Avengers theme hits. Let's do this.
10. Fun Black Widow introduction.11. "Big guy." Big green guy?12. I really liked this Mark Ruffalo version of Bruce Banner. Feels less like a prop ready for a punchline and more like complex Dr. Jekyll.13. Bruce jump scare!14. Enter America's ass...ew. (Captain America*)15. Weird Iron Man underwater introduction.16. Avengers name drop!17. I almost have no memory of Phil, but he plays a significant role in the film. Hold onto those cards, man!18. Loki scenes are really not hitting for me. I blame the alien storyline.19. Steve meets Natasha. Someone take a picture and tell them they are about to star in one of my favorite MCU films (Winter Soldier).
20. Awkward Bruce meeting Steve. I miss the MCU characters feeling like separate characters.21. Hulk on a flying ship is a BAD idea. I don't care if they have twenty safety domes to lock him away.22. Visually, everything is still holding up. The 2010s were a decade of quality CGI.23. Rogers paid up! Forgot about his deal with Fury.24. Loki hunting season!25. The hair is silly, but the Loki fit is five stars.26. Oof. Loki with the violence. Had no memory of why he was at this event.27. The shiny fit is also quite good. A little too horny for me.28. Yessss. Forgot about the defiant citizen.29. "There are always men like you." Indeed, sir. Indeed.
30. *Captain America theme*31. *AC/DC Shoot to Thrill*32. What a sequence!33. Those entrances were great, but Thor's might be the best.34. Superhero landing!35. Plan of attack? Attack. Very corny.36. So much corn, but it tastes so good.37. Family issues on a God-level.38. Poisonous Dream would be a sick band name.39. Loki is one sassy trickster.
40. Big fight feel.41. The lightning effect is fantastic. Very comic book-like.42. Even the fighting feels purposeful. Everything tries to be too much like John Wick or Endgame.43. PUT THE HAMMER DOWN!44. Loki smiling at Banner with all the forshadow-i-ness.45. The runtime in this is throwing me off. Feels like the movie is at the midpoint (based on my memory of what's left), but there are still 90 minutes left!46. Good thing they have great lighting in that box for Loki monologues.47. "He really grows on you." Hahahaha. Where is all this subtle comedy in the later movies!?48. "He's adopted."49. "You've got a mean swing." Still remember the theater pop that got when the sizzle reel was first released with First Avenger.
50. Even the Galaga humor... it feels like every movie after this decided: Tony's comedy makes people laugh, so let's use it for everyone. I get that we act like our friends the more we hang out, but come on.51. "Is everything a joke to you?" Oh, Cap, you have no idea.52. Now, Thor and Coulson's conversation. Lots of one-on-ones in this film.53. Loki really laying into Black Widow.54. We raise a "I wanted to get caught" for a "I was really the one doing the integrating" trope.55. Not to be that guy, but if Black Widow's trick were filmed today, a tricked Loki would've turned to the camera and gone, "she's good."56. The disorienting argument is doing its job.57. Oh my God, this was the part of the movie I totally forgot about.58. Mark Ruffalo is really the MVP of this movie.59. Everyone. Remain. Calm.
60. Under attack!61. Bruce changing while Natasha is stuck is Grade-A horror. Bravo.62. -Evil Loki smile-63. Hulk vs. Thor is saving this whole sequence.64. YESSSSSS. The calling for the hammer SMHACKS WITH AN H!65. Nice running knee by Thor. Watching a little WWE, I see.66. Bye, Hulk! When he catches the ejecting pilot. *chef's kiss*67. Captain America shooting a gun seems weird now.68. F in the chat for Coulson. Forgot that Thor is the one who needs to do the "NOOO" movie trope when someone dies in front of you.69. Thor not being able to pick up his hammer is a BEAUTIFUL touch.
70. Natasha/Clint reunion.71. No way out talk is excellent. Little moments like this are big payoffs for RDJ's acting.72. Tony knows ego. Great realization.73. Wish Thor had more of a moment. I get he's alone, but it seemed rushed to have him lift the hammer.74. "Son...just don't."75. Man, so is this last big fight like 30-plus minutes? Thought it was like 15.76. "Earth's mightiest heroes."77. Loki is having performance issues.78. Not my favorite Iron Man suit up. Very forgettable.79. That said, the suit is immaculate.
80. Sky beam. Meh.81. Tony clearly feels overwhelmed by the invaders. The scale of this is fantastic.82. Thor v. Loki.83. Oof. I've complimented the CGI a lot. Those green screens tho...yikes.84. Captain America over here calling the shots.85. Bruce rolling in.86. "That's my secret, Captain. I'm always angry." *Crowd goes wild*87. Even the Hulk's CGI is very impressive. Feels like the right shade of green.88. Pretty sure Natasha grabbing a full-speed speeder bike thing would have ripped her arm off.89. Teamwork makes the Avengers work!
90. Joss Whedon loves the "end a scene on a laugh" gimmick (ex: Galaga man and, now, Hulk punching Thor). 91. Oh yeah, there are people in the city lol. (Alien dudes are meh...both design and presence)92. "stupid-ass decision" (Protect Samuel L. Jackson at all costs).93. Him shooting down his own jet is both dark and on-brand. Wish there were more of this from his character throughout the series.94. The Thor and Cap duo is underrated.95. Ultimate sacrifice time.96. He made it!97. HULK CATCH!98. HULK WAKE SCARE! (It's been 10 years, and I still don't know what shawarma is.)99. Hero group shot!
100. Final montage and a Stan Lee cameo. Our heroes go their separate ways to do their own films...I mean...missions.101. End on that iconic "A" on Stark Tower.102. After credits: A rare purple Thanos appears!103. Final thought: Great superhero film! Doesn't take itself too seriously, but still feels like it's not embarrassed to be a superhero movie to the point of phoning it in with forced comedy that says, "we're trying not to try too hard."104. One more for the road: what the hell is this after-credits song? "Live to Rise" by Soundgarden. Seems out of place, but I love Chris Cornell, so it gets a pass.
My final score: 9/10 for a superhero film.
What are your thoughts on the first Avengers film? Rewatchable or a relic of 2012? Comment below and head over to Disney+ for all things Avengers!
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