Marvel’s The Avengers

Sequel: “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015)

A Cosmic Cube or Tesseract with incalculable power in the hands of SHIELD scientists has caught the attention of Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and his new mysterious benefactor, who has given him even more power, in order to go to Earth and use it to bring an armada of aliens to conquer our world.

Upon arrival, Loki turns or possesses the will of scientist Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård ) and agent Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), code name Hawkeye, before killing most of the guards and stealing the Cube. This sudden turn of events forces Director of SHIELD Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) to assemble Earth’s mightiest heroes to its defense.

This is the film comic book many movie fans have been anticipating for years. The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), the beautiful, but deadly, spy the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), the World War II Super Soldier Captain America (Chris Evans), The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and the unparalleled archer Hawkeye are gathered together to find the Cube and stop Loki, before he rains death upon this world and others.

Objectionable Issues

Language. Mild. The Disney influence on the latest Marvel feature is apparent, as the language has been toned down from recent entries. A** and Pi** were used twice each, but “hell,” bast***d and son of a b**** all appeared but once. The Lord’s name likewise was used but once, as in “Good God, this man’s still alive.” Sexual innuendo was kept to a minimum by having Tony Stark’s girlfriend Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) whisper something in his ear, but too low for us to overhear. Later Stark mentions something about “performance issues,” but the reference will be missed by younger viewers.

Violence: Moderate—What once was the minimum standard for “R” rated violence has now become the norm for PG-13 films, even by Disney. Daggers, arrows and bullets are all seen hitting people’s heads from a short distance. Explosions, overturning cars, debris and entire buildings and ships crash down on innocent victims throughout. Loki uses his new scepter of power to impale one, and blood is seen as it exits the other side, and though this is one of the few scenes that show blood, it is the most graphic. Equally disturbing is a scene where Loki appears to be extracting someone’s eye. Though bloodless, the victim’s screams, and the crowd’s reaction leave no doubt as to what’s happening. One character goes through withdrawal, and though it’s not from drugs, it is equally wrenching to see.

Sex/Nudity: Minor—Pepper Potts walks around Stark’s penthouse barefoot and in shorts, suggesting they may be living together. Bruce Banner, after reverting from the Hulk back to human form, is naked but obscured by wreckage.

Spiritual—Aside from the references to Thor and Loki being gods, Thor references Darwinist theory when he says, “I thought humans were more evolved than this.” Politically correct themes such as “clean energy” and “torture” are briefly mentioned.

Lessons

While Loki holds a crowd hostage, he tells his “subjects,” “I am Loki of Asgard, and I am burdened with glorious purpose. I come with glad tidings…” a clear biblical reference to a very different kingdom that Jesus spoke of.

And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God… (Luke 8:1).

Loki personifies the Devil, who has always sought to usurp God and be worshiped. Here, Loki commands the crowd to kneel before him, as did Satan when he tempted Jesus.

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor, “All this will I give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8-9).

One old man refuses to stay down, which recalls to us our Lord’s response to Satan.

Then said Jesus unto him, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” (Matthew 4:10).

Loki’s benefactor reminds him that he gave him “…ancient knowledge and new purpose, when you were cast out!” This is very reminiscent of the Word of God, which tells of his downfall and how we must be wary.

“I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Luke 10:18).

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like as a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

A lesson on both mercy and forgiveness comes from Thor, when he pleads with Loki to “Give up this poisonous dream and come home.” After all Loki had done, forgiveness was still within reach. Our Lord spoke clearly on this subject when speaking to the apostle Peter.

Then came Peter to him, and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” And Jesus said unto him, “I say not unto thee, until seven times, but, until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22).

How great is God’s mercy to us that we shouldn’t likewise show it to our fellow man?

The Black Widow makes the apparent mistake of going to talk to Loki. During their conversation, it becomes clear that Loki knows all about the Widow’s past, when he tells her, “Your ledger is dripping with red. You lie and kill in the service of liars and killers.” This is a tactic the devil often uses to keep us from God, namely our own sinful past. Unfortunately, many fall for this, but the Word of God tells us we don’t have to, no matter what our past holds!

He hath not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the Earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:10-12).

The apostle John defines the cleansing of “red from our ledgers” that the Widow was wishing for, that is now available to all of us, as believers.

But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

Easily the best line of the movie, for me, came from Captain America. Thor arrives to get Loki, and a battle is about to begin when the Widow warns him not to get involved, saying, “These guys come from legend, they’re basically gods!” And Cap replies, “There’s only one God ma’am, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that!”

“I am the LORD thy God… thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:2).

I can’t stress enough that parents need to be extra wary for the violent content which, while partially acceptable in its comic incarnation, is definitely over the top in live action, let alone 3D, which added much during the action scenes.

“The Avengers” lives up to its namesake, and the movie unfolds at an even pace, keeping audiences interested every step of the way. Though made up of disparate characters, all with their own personalities and powers, it was great seeing them begin to work together as a team and under the natural leadership of its only combat veteran, Captain America. An exciting and fun film, marred by a few words and excessive violence, that I am sure will extend the franchise and thrill age-appropriate audiences around the world.

Violence: Heavy to extreme / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Moderate

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