Avengers assemble! Review of the newest comicbook blockbuster movie.

Writer/director Joss Whedon’s take on the Marvel universe – The Avengers – is breaking US box office records this weekend, following smash hit success in international markets.

Yet this critic did not love this picture. During the first half I was almost bored. Right from the start something happens to Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) before the audience even gets to meet him. I mean, at least have a scene illustrating his close relationship with Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) or the S. H. I. E. L. D. team or something.

If, like me, you are not a comic book reader, then all you know about Hawkeye is a short sequence he had in Thor. Okay, actually I know more about the chars because I did interviews with them all on the set in Albuquerque last August – I got to walk on the observation deck of the helicarrier and stand where Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) stands – it was so mindblowingly awesome and hands down the best set visit I’ve ever done because the sets were amazing. So perhaps my expectations were high, but story-wise Whedon’s The Avengers is seriously deficient.

Okay, I loved all the scenes with Black Widow, I enjoy Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and even Thor (hunky Chris Hemsworth). Loki was great (Tom Hiddleston). Love Captain America (Chris Evans) – these are all great characters, clever dialogue but sad to say, this is a downright disappointing story.

I only started to enjoy it when they were in the helicarrier with Loki.  Then it was all destruction of New York landmarks and buildings, and that just bothers me.

Look at the latest trailer for Dark Knight Rises and it’s evident this movie will be so much more slick and menacing. The long shot of the two bridges to Manhattan… This is incredible footage and I cannot wait to see Christopher Nolan’s third Batman picture in IMAX.

It’s pretty lame that Whedon refused to shoot in 3-D. The new RED EPIC 3-D cameras were out by then and they are nowhere near as cumbersome and limiting as previous cameras.

Also unlike Avengers, Ridley Scott’s Prometheus was shot in 3-D and promises to be awesome! The advance trailers are so terrifying!

Yes, I have high expectations for these summer releases once again, but this time I am sure they will be met.

The Avengers is screening in LA. Check your local listings.