The Avengers

I saw the Avengers. And was blown away. The word 'epic' was created in preparation for the Avengers. The Avengers is the most incredible movie I have ever seen in theaters. Including Harry Potter 7 Part 2. Call me a hypocrite, but the Avengers is better. It's got everything: real humor, romantic tension, action, sacrifice, inner conflict, resolution, some of the most witty dialogue ever, and an epic battle that destroys New York City.

Nick Fury: There was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people, so when we needed them, they could fight battles that we never could.

Mark Ruffalo plays an older, more optimistic Bruce Banner, which is a refreshing change. In the most recent Hulk movie, it just seemed like the guy wanted a pity party the whole time. He probably deserved it, but I wasn't about to bring the dip. He was depressing. After Natasha convinces him to come out of hiding, Bruce Banner is willing and able to work with the Avengers. His personality is just endearing. He's wise and conscious of his decisions and their consequences, unlike many of the other, younger Avengers. The most intriguing element of his character is its bipolarity. Bruce Banner is so calm and relatively happy. The Hulk... I don't think I need to finish that sentence. Anyways, one of the best characters in the movie.

Tony Stark: Let's do a headcount: Your brother, the demigod; a super-soldier, a living legend who actually lives up to the legend; a man with breathtaking anger management issues; a couple of master assassins; and you've managed to piss off every single one of us.
Loki: That was the plan.
Tony Stark: Not a great plan.When they come, and they will, they'll come for you.
Loki: I have an army.
Tony Stark: We have a hulk. 

Iron Man/Tony Stark is amazing in this movie. The desperation of the situation reveals a facet of his personality that goes a little deeper than himself. He actually demonstrates compassion and selflessness. (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) He's actually willing to sacrifice himself to save others. Even so, he's still Tony Stark, snarky and quick. And poor Captain America just can't keep up.

Captain America: Big man in a suit of armor. Take that off, what are you?
Tony Stark: Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.

Captain America/Steve Rogers is a complete fish out of water. Out of his time and the military, he really doesn't have a clue. Having no sense of humor whatsoever doesn't help much either. In action, he's incredible, but, other than that, the poor guy needs a lot of help personality-wise. He's so serious!!!!! It drives me nuts! Bruce Banner, Thor, Tony Stark, and even Natasha have a little snark or some humor or something that gives them a little spark. Captain America is incredible, but he just doesn't have that spark.

Captain America: Is everything a joke to you?
Tony Stark: Funny things are!

Thor's confidence is just down-right awesome, as in awe-inspiring. He knows what he's doing, and he grew so much in Thor that his role as a wise, experienced leader is indisputable. One of the most tender points of the movie is when he's discussing Jane Foster's safety with Nick Fury. He's so obviously concerned for her, yet he is willing to put aside his personal desires for what must be done. Even so, his tenderness is reserved only for Jane Foster, and his confidence causes a few little problems, the most awesome of which is (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) the battle between Iron Man and Thor. Captain America eventually intervenes, but the whole fight is just incredible! It really demonstrates how much power is held by the Avengers.

Thor: Loki is beyond reason, but he is of Asgard and my brother!
Natasha: He killed 80 people in two days.
Thor: ...He's adopted.

Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff is a boss! She's so hardcore, and dang! She get's things done! The control and power she has is amazing. And she doesn't even have superpowers or extreme technology. Also, unlike many of her fellow avengers, she has advantages in noncombat areas. She's a trained spy, and she uses her skills, and her skills are incredible. A quick side note: Her first scene is one of the best in the movie.

Natasha to Hawkeye: This is nothing we were ever trained for...

Hawkeye/Clint Barton is a beast. That's all. He makes an appearance in Thor, but he went uncredited because his role was so small. Anyways, like Natasha, he's a trained spy/mercenary. He has no superpowers or super technology. He uses a bow and arrows, which is so unexpected, but it has it's advantages. It's so refreshingly unique that it has its own sort of appeal. The way he works is so different compared to most "heroes" because his weapon of choice is so different. Perhaps the most fascinating point of his character is (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) that he switches sides during the movie. This is not done through his own choice. He is ... compromised by Loki. But Natasha pulls out her mad skills and saves his mind. Hawkeye is just ridiculously hardcore. See and you will understand. Putting aside the fact that he's a ruthless mercenary, we could have something. ;)

Captain America: You think you can hold them off?
Hawkeye: Captain, it would be my genuine pleasure.

Loki's a hardcore villain. However, he doesn't look like one. He's a good-looking guy, and in Thor, in a few short scenes, we saw his soft side. Nevertheless, his horrendous acts and choices as a self-proclaimed conqueror and ruler completely cancels out this kindness and deepens his character all the more. Even so, one of the high points of the movie has to be (SPOILER ALERT!!!!!) when he's trying to insult the Hulk. Loki just gets what coming to him. Funniest part of the movie, hands down.

Iron Man to Loki: There is no throne. There is no version of this where you come out on top! Maybe your army will come, maybe it's too much for us, but it's all on you! Because if we can't protect the Earth, you can be sure we'll avenge it!

And just because it's possibly the best quote in the whole movie:

Iron Man to Hawkeye: Let's go, Legolas.