The Avengers

Watching the commercials for The Avengers, I groaned. I knew I would see it in the theatres, but it looked like the worst of the three preceding movies (Iron Man 2, Thor, and Captain America). I wasn't looking forward to wasting my money.

It turned out to be my favorite. Good fun, and so funny at times, I need to see it again to catch the lines I missed because we were laughing so hard. It was so good, I was talking to the screen like I was at home. (or I'm turning into my mother.)

More thoughts. Yes, there are spoilers, so continue reading after you've seen the movie.

Based on the previews, The Avengers is for families (Brave, Frankenweenie), teen age boys (Battleship, The Amazing Spiderman, The Dictator, Dark Knight Rises), and fans of the first Alien movie (Prometheus).

Was it wrong of me to laugh at the end of the preview for The Dictator? 'Cause that part was funny to me.

Battleship still looks like Transformers.

I'm sure Dark Knight Rises will be good. But…

Nice integration of the Black Widow stunts. So much better than in Iron Man 2, where we saw the sharp cut from stunt woman to ScarJo posing with all her might. This time, I almost believed it was her.

Fun Easter Egg*. Cap'n looks asleep, and Dr. Banner looks like he hadn't eaten in years.

I heart Jeremy Renner.

I miss Phil.

I'm glad the lady didn't die in the beginning.

I miss the ambiguity of Loki that we saw in Thor. But I'm satisfied with how he came to be less ambiguous in his evilness.

I'm not saying the Avengers is unpredictable. I'm saying the journey is fun.

Nice subtlety to the Acura plug.

Seeing Cap'n ride a motorcycle reminds me of Wolverine.

Not sure you needed to grease up Hawkeye's biceps that much. But thank you.

I was worried the Lego commercial would ruin the movie. It didn't.

All due respect Mr. Whedon, but a tesseract is a wrinkle in time, not an unlimited form of energy from Asgaard.

Samuel L. Jackson in a black leather trench coat. He's a baaaddd…shut your mouth.

I've got so many comics to read. Who's the Red Guy?

Natasha and Clinton sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G.

It was a small moment when Dr. Banner realizes the Hulk is indeed controllable. But it was a nice moment.

Just the right amount of drama .Of course Tony will make it back through the wormhole thingy. Unless that's somebody's sequel…

Yeah, I would actually pay money to see in the theater again. It was that fun.

*An Easter Egg is a bit o' something after the closing credits, but before the screen turns blue.