★★★★★ 

Rewatched 08 May, 2020

The Marvel Cinematic Universe exists because The Avengers is as good as it is. I’m going to try and break down all the little things that make this movie as good and as iconic as it is. First of all, the superhero nerdgasm aspect, I remember watching this when I was 9 and having my mind blown. 8 years later, it still blows my mind. All these amazing characters on screen together playing off of each other it was spectacular. Secondly, the character development is so rich, each character has a purpose (YES, INCLUDING HAWKEYE), you understand where each character is coming from and what their intentions are. Third, the screenplay is incredibly airtight. It’s structured to perfection fitting almost every act structure there is (3-act, 5-act, 15-beat, 8-point etc) and it does it so well. Fourth, the action is actually really great, each scene is so fun and filled with energy. Fifth, the technical aspects such as the score and the CGI are masterful, everything has been perfected by Marvel at this point and they craft the modern-day blockbuster in this goliath of a project. Sixth, and most important, the reason this film works so well is because of Loki. He has to be up there with the best villains of all time. He gets underneath the skin of each Avenger, deconstructing their characters, piece by piece as he enacts his master-plan. He’s incredibly witty and quite a fun presence. Tom Hiddleston NAILS it as the God of Mischief. All these pieces fit perfectly together to create Marvel’s masterpiece. This is much better than I ever remembered it being and than it deserved to be!