Superheroes save civilization

What do a green monster, a hammer-wielding Viking and an espionage-agent-like Scarlett Johannson have in common? Definitely not strange hair and accents. Somehow these three, as well as many other classic Marvel characters, come to life together in "The Avengers," a blockbuster superhero film reminiscent of the comics of yesteryear. Though the return of the Hulk or Captain America may lure an audience in with its action scenes, viewers will stay for the plot and humor as well.

The movie opens with a remotely located facility being evacuated as Loki (Tom Hiddleston), brother of Thor (Chris Hemsworth), steals the tesseract, a cube that has the power to destroy the world. Naturally, the Avengers are called in, a group comprised of all of Marvel's classic characters including the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans), who have been frozen for more than half a century. Though the group has the power, both literally and figuratively, to stop Loki's antics, would their egos stop them from saving the world?

Great direction and an excellent cast are just two of the highlights of this movie. Director Joss Whedon had an excellent vision, putting scenes that had once been only drawings on a comic book into a cinematic masterpiece. The actors come with just the right amount of star-appeal and down-to-earth touch. Mark Ruffalo takes on the role of the Hulk effortlessly with his anger penetrating through the screen. Chris Evans, a relative newcomer to Hollywood, is nearly flawless in his role as Captain America (which he played in the 2011 release of the movie by the same name), as was Scarlett Johannson (Black Widow) who spices up her role as just another super-heroine. Finally, Robert Downey Jr. adds to all the action with his comedic relief, making the movie a perfect balance of action and humor.

The graphics of the movie are impeccable. Perhaps it was my view from the first row, but all the action scenes and special effects feel tangible and 3D, even without having to pay the two extra dollars to see it that way. The fight scenes are artistic, much less gory and gruesome but rather riveting, as the characters fight back and forth, destroying buildings and causing fires in the process.

The movie's only downfall is in the plot, which was great, mind you, but only if you knew anything about comics. Though the plot kept my interest, as a person who never read Marvel as a kid, the references sometimes fell on deaf ears. Still, the 80 percent of the movie that is understandable to outsiders is well worth the $10 admission fee.

Comic fan or not, superhero or civilian, "The Avengers" is a must see film. With upcoming releases of "The Dark Knight Rises" as well as "The Amazing Superman" within the next two months, "The Avengers" is the right way to jump start a superhero-filled super summer.

"The Avengers" (142 minutes) is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, and a mild drug reference. Now playing in theaters everywhere