I used to run home to catch Dark Shadows and I used to read the gothic comic books as well. This latest Burton/Depp debacle ruins every memory I had of the fine franchise.
I think it was Shakespeare who said. "I wanted to like it but alas, it's crap."
Us comicbook geeks couldn't wait to get our hands on this movie, the culmination of all the others and just like meeting your favorite movie star in person, it turns out to be disappointing.
It has long been said that the DC world has more resonance that Marvel, that Batman Superman and the like are deeper than the heroes from Marvel World. this movie proves that. As Batman has gone where no other super hero has gone before, Marvel lives in a cardboard castle where the only king is an very angry green man.
Joss Whedon is no Chris Nolan and Steve Rogers is no Bruce Wayne the failing of this movie is on both sides of the camera. Fun? No Funny at times. Exciting? No just loud and tricky. Even the villains are borrowed from better movies.
Sam Jackson had gone to Twitter to defend his wooden acting and old man movement but he can't. The Avengers is just what AO Scott says it is: No fun.
The movie turns out good but you can see the manipulation and eagerness to have an epic and a franchise. Take out 40 minutes and this move is awesome. With the extra stuff, it's just good.
Jennifer Lawrence and Woody Harrelson really shine.
The only downside other than the length is the usual marginalization of black characters used for sympathy, strength, or menace and then killed to evoke emotion. How long are we going to service this worn-out metaphor?
Partial redemption comes in the form of Lenny Kravitz, who should definitely make acting a priority.