Been re-watching the Avengers flicks on Amazon Prime. Just finished watching Iron Man II, Avengers, and yesterday Avengers Infinity War. Also watched the first hour of Avengers End-Game twice now...it's VERY good. The isolated character bits are well-crafted. And the time-travel stuff is really amusing and smart.
I really love this series.
Realized while watching that the character arcs really parallel each other well.
These are the pairings:
Captain America/Iron Man -- who are both weapons of a sort, contracted by the US government and who are products of the same men -- Howard Stark and the Shield organization. Their arcs question the military complex and the use of weapons to defend, and the resulting collateral damage. Also the extent to which defending one's country should come above all else and the sacrifices made as a result, not to mention the cost.
Natasha (Black Widow) and Clint (Hawkeye) - which discusses the moral grey area of vigilante justice and taking down bad guys as a spy or an assassin. Is taking a life any life -- justified? And the toll it takes on you. Also is their an escape from that life, and a way to be redeemed? How do you be a hero?
Thor and The Hulk -- the idea of having raw power, the ability to destroy. But no real thought behind it, just raw emotion and rage. And the responsibility for that power -- and how to harness it responsibly.
Then they have these amazingly well-build supporting characters, who all have their own arcs. Pepper Potts, Angela Carter, Doctor Strange, Ant-Man, Spiderman, The Guardians of the Galaxy, Nick Fury, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Sam Wise - Falcon, Bucky - Winter Solider, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Jarvis, Happy...the fact that each character is incorporated and has their own arc is rather brilliant. That's hard to do well.
Aided by the great casting: they even have good casting in supporting roles. Robert Redford, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourk, Powers Booth, Larry Sanders, John Slattery, Coby Smulders, Samuel L. Jackson (although his role is big), Angela Bassett, Michael Jordan, Jude Law, Annette Bening, Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins, Tessa Thompson, Matt Damon, Tom Hiddleston (although Loki is rather big role), Guy Pierce, Peter Dinklage, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Zoe Saladana, Karen Gillian...some of the best character actors and lead actors on the screen. And no one phones it in.
Watching this series again...is comforting. I don't want to look at the world at the moment. It makes me grumpy.
Allergies are slightly better -- I think I found the cause. Hoping for a better work week. And a new dentist. Got some suggestions at work and online.
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