Avenger fever please

My husband and I took our daughter to see her first theater movie today: The Avengers! She's seen most of the other movies. And this one definitely did not disappoint. Of course, you never lose when Joss Whedon is involved. I envy the way he mixes comedy into scenes to make them more poignant. It blows my mind sometimes.

Joss Whedon, you blow my mind!

And I don't let a lot of people do that 'cause I wasn't raised a fool, yo.

Anyway, the only two things that bugged me in the whole shebang were Cobie Smulders and Scarlett Johansson's performances.

First, Smulders. If a woman has a high-ranking job in a military-like agency, she has an edge. I'm a true believer that a woman is a bag of tricks (not like that. Shame on you!). She is sweet at moments, a hell storm upon your house other times, sexy when she feels like it, and tough when she needs to be. Smulders lacked conviction as a high-ranking officer. Her acting was too relaxed for the part. I hate to say that because i love her on How I Met Your Mother, and she has a lot to offer. I just wish she had played the character a little different.

And Johansson... Johansson... While her interrogation scenes were seamless -being the victim, the soft woman, the businesswoman- her humor missed the mark. She played it too deadpan in crucial areas. Also (and this has nothing to do with Johansson) I wish the character of Natasha Romanoff had an accent. Maybe I'm committing a sin by saying that. I don't know anything about this character. Maybe there's a reason why she has an English accent.

The boys did a fine job. Robert Downy Jr. is my fave, of course. I love Tony Starks' inappropriate humor and lack of shame. Chris Hemsworth as Thor ain't so shabby, either. And Mark Ruffalo was an excellent choice as Bruce Banner (the Hulk).

Anyway, the movie rocked. And my three-year-old gives her approval, as well. It was a great family afternoon. Thank you Avengers for being a part of that.


Photo from blogworld.com.