Filmgoers waited almost a decade for this moment; through the building of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we knew that it was all building up to a blockbuster to end all blockbusters. The Avengers were about to assemble, and for comic fans and moviegoers alike it was exciting. In true Marvel fashion, the assembling isn’t painless and there’s squabbling before the big moment. But Joss Whedon deftly gathers all the component franchises together in a movie that never forgets the team element. The last forty-five minutes or so, which find the heroes gathering for a final showdown with Loki, capture the best of the franchise, including Tony Stark’s attempt (hilariously rendered by Robert Downey Jr.) to go it alone first by intimidating Loki. But when that doesn’t work, it’s Captain America (Chris Evans) who’s left to call the shots, and seeing the World War II icon issue orders to his team feels right – especially capped off with a nod to the fanboys when Cap directs, “Hulk? Smash.”
In a lot of ways, Superman: The Movie started it all – comic book movies generally, new fascination with the Man of Steel, even a generation’s perception of the difference between Clark Kent and Superman. But what the film also accomplished was reinforcing the relationship between Clark and his love Lois Lane. In this film, Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder gave performances that can only be labeled “definitional.” So it’s not for nothing that a recent retelling of Superman’s origin borrowed from the helicopter rescue sequence in the Donner film. There are a number of moments where Reeve is clearly enjoying the role, and in this one we understand both the need for Superman and how he operates in the world. Let’s not forget that a sun god from Smallville would first have to enjoy what he does, but let’s also not forget that this scene, the first sustained action sequence with the red-and-blue spandex, convinced an entire generation that, yes, a man can fly.
Come back tomorrow for Moments #4-3!
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