The Avengers

Joss Whedon fans often wonder what the sci-fi-loving writer-director would create if money were no object; thanks to The Avengers, we now know. Assigned the seemingly impossible task of uniting the narratives of five films with very different tones into one cogent superhero ensemble piece, Whedon seemed setup to fail. And yet The Avengers works brilliantly, deftly and efficiently painting characters and their dynamics before hurtling headlong into complicated and staggering action sequences punctuated by Whedon's trademark witty yet humane brand of banter. It's an entirely exhilarating execution that showcases what the superhero genre is capable of in hands that respect it.

When S.H.I.E.L.D.'s experiments with the volatile tesseract triggers the return of Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) assembles the cocky Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), the noble Captain America (Chris Evans), the brooding Bruce "Hulk" Banner (Mark Ruffalo), the regal Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the cunning Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and the steely Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) to save the world. With so many characters key to the story, it's absolutely remarkable that Whedon and his cast manage to create full-bodied portrayals that are as engaging as they are entertaining. Ruffalo is a real standout, manifesting a depth to the Hulk that the figure's prior movie incarnations lacked. But Evans is equally impressive in imbruing Cap with a pathos and intensity that makes just as dynamic as his flashier colleagues. Ultimately, The Avengers is a full-throttle thrill ride, chockablock with hard-hitting action, stunning stunts and an invigorating humor that makes it the most satisfying superhero movie to date.