If you would click the LIKE button, you’d be MY hero.
The new Avengers trailer is making the rounds, and it’s starting to look like we’ve got a real movie on our hands. Whedon’s directing, so I’ve got high hopes for snappy dialogue, real stakes and an almost-certain pass of the Bechdel Test. Our big baddie is Loki, Thor’s jealous bro, and it looks like he’s upping his game a bit. At least, he’s learned to improve his villainous monologues, and maybe stop being such a behind-the-scenes sneaky-sneak whiner. It’s dangerous to engage in guesswork regarding the movie’s plot, but I think Loki is a pretty solid choice for antagonist. His nefarious plotting in “Thor” was actually pretty elaborate and psychological, and given the time and resources, I can see him causing a lot of trouble for a half-dozen A-listers in tights. That term might be ennobling them a bit, because as I indicate in today’s comic, some of the members seem more superfluous than superheroic. I am entirely behind Captain America, Thor, Iron Man and Hulk as members, but Hawkeye and Black Widow seem like odd choices for inclusion in a super-team. We’ve seen Black Widow in action, and basically her shtick seems to be “martial arts-focused field agent”. Hawkeye also had a little cameo in “Thor”, where his shtick seemed to be “archery-focused field agent”. Maybe these guys are the interns of the team, or “alternates”, in case the folks with actual powers (or unique equipment that might as well be a power) are taken out. Also, it sucks that the only female member is Black Widow. She’s not very iconic or memorable. How about Wasp or She-Hulk? I’m sure “Avengers” will make a mint, so let’s start planning for one of them to appear in the sequel.
I clicked like AND posted to my facebook page, does that make me superfluous?
I love Hawkeye’s two seconds in the trailer; at least Black Widow is bringing some gratuitous black pleather sex appeal. Hawkeye seems to be mostly “also here.” Perhaps he will be secret comic relief?
Sheena: You are officially promoted to Super Duper, in that case.
Hannah: I’m pretty sure that one of Black Widow’s superpowers is “owns a catsuit”. If the Hawkeye in this movie is supposed to be the wisecracking one from M*A*S*H, I’ll be pleasantly surprised (and deeply confused).
I agree that there is a significant imbalance in the powers/abilities of the Avengers team.
My personal view is that with SHIELD essentially being a government organisation, the use of spies/double-agents (Black Widow) and stealthier operatives (Hawkeye) compliments the use of the superpowered ‘big guns’ when the situation calls more for subtle espionage than all-out destructive mayhem.
I also agree there should be a female superpowered hero on the team.
Well, the role of “stealthy person” in an intelligence organization certainly has merit, but why can’t they dig up a supernaturally stealthy type? Maybe their stealthy folks will be supported by “cloaking fields” or some other Stark-devised technowizardry. A superpowered woman on the team seems like a no-brainer to me. There are lots of superladies that must have come along with the “Avengers” property. Whatever the case, I have faith in Joss that it’ll work out.
Well, I’ll admit I didn’t read the Avengers comic much, but here are my thoughts:
1} Wasp was who I was really hoping for. She is part of the original line-up, if I remember correctly. (BTW, the original 5 Avengers are: Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man, Wasp, and Hulk. I looked it up.)
2} She-Hulk, but why’d you want two “Hulks” in the very first movie?
3} Hellcat would be awesome. Always had a thing for her.
4} Marvel Girl- though I guess she’d steal the thunder from both Cap’n and Thor, and spank Mr. Stark’s sexist ass for grabbing her inappropriately.
5} Scarlet Witch? Or is she still considered a villain in Marvel Comics? And with her would come her brother Quicksilver, Marvel’s answer to the Flash, though not as fast.
6} Spider-Woman. The one in the red and yellow suit. She’s got a lot of cool powers that could be very useful.
I would also like to point out though that other than his high intellect, Tony Stark is an otherwise unexceptional human in a power suit. But outside that suit, Black Widow or Hawkeye would own him.
And they do use powered equipment. Black Widow is essentially 007 in a catsuit. And Hawkeye has special ‘Trick’ Arrows. Kinda like Batman, but with a quiver of arrows instead of a utility belt.
Wasp would seem to make the most sense, yeah. Maybe they’ll set it up for the sequel(s).
The trailer seems to have a line addressing that Tony’s got a lot going on beyond the suit, I would like to see some of those trick arrows. If they’ve got a Green Arrow-style one that turns into a boxing glove mid-flight, I’ll be absolutely thrilled.