--- title: "The Avengers: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-avengers/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-avengers" critics_score: 79 critics_reviews: 16 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Avengers (2012): what the critics said Critics' score 79 from 16 reviews: 14 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics find The Avengers a confident, funny ensemble blockbuster, with praise clustering around Joss Whedon’s dialogue and his handling of a crowded cast. The reviews repeatedly credit the character interplay with making the team feel coherent, rather than merely assembled. Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner and Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark draw particular approval. The action is widely judged clear and energetic, with humour and individual character moments surviving the scale of the spectacle. The reservations concern how much substance sits beneath that entertainment. Even favourable reviews find underdeveloped supporting roles, unnecessary subplots or dialogue scenes hurried along by blockbuster demands. The spread is mostly positive but includes firm dissent: Film Comment finds the execution impersonal despite Ruffalo’s contribution, while The New York Times argues that Whedon’s playful comedy cannot overcome the genre’s bloat, emptiness and authoritarian tendencies. These objections challenge the film’s priorities rather than its ability to juggle superheroes. ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating A-. 2 May 2012. The critic finds it a big but graceful team-up film that balances character moments with spectacular action and exceeds the requirements of a shared-universe blockbuster. Whedon is praised for creating chemistry among the large cast and delivering heartfelt, exciting entertainment. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/the-avengers-1798172651) ## Variety — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2012. Whedon's buoyant, witty and robustly entertaining superhero smash-up is escapism of a sophisticated order with tonal assurance and rich humor. It is a clean-burning entertainment that exudes discipline in script, effects and ensemble balance. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2012/film/reviews/marvel-s-the-avengers-1117947410/) ## Empire — James White Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2012. Whedon assembles the disparate heroes into a cohesive, entertaining team with a strong mix of action, humour, charm and heart. The balanced cast delivers, with particular praise for Robert Downey Jr.'s witty Tony Stark and Mark Ruffalo's nuanced Bruce Banner. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/avengers-assemble-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2012. This film just might make a believer of even the most skeptical viewer thanks to Whedon's smart, verve-filled direction and writing. The dialogue is less glib than usual and often genuinely funny, bringing the characters closer to their troubled comic-book roots. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2012-may-03-la-et-avengers-20120503-story.html) ## Little White Lies — Adam Lee Davies Rating 3/4/3. 24 April 2012. The critic finds the film a shiny, caged beast that delivers on its every promise as one of the most exciting and coherent action films in recent memory. Whedon's script is singled out for its crisp banter and propulsive action that unites the team effectively. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/avengers-assemble/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2012. The critic describes the film as robustly entertaining and appropriately super-sized, a successful amalgam of skilful actors, witty banter, top effects and giddy good cheer that maintains a playful spirit. The effects and Alan Silvestri’s score are singled out as dazzling, while the playful tone is praised over attempts at pathos. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/marvels-the-avengers/5040485.article) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 April 2012. The critic finds the film a mightily enjoyable extravaganza thanks to its sparkling script and strong ensemble. He singles out Tom Hiddleston's performance as the villain Loki for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2012/apr/26/avengers-assemble-review) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 4/5. 24 April 2012. The review calls the film a shiny, noisy and exhilarating fairground ride that sits high above the average multiplex crowd-pleaser. Whedon's off-kilter wit and attention to character are singled out for praise, along with the standout villain performance. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/avengers-assemble) ## Total Film — Jonathan Crocker Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2012. Writer-director Joss Whedon delivers a funny, banter-filled blockbuster that assembles the heroes effectively, though it is not the greatest superhero film ever made. The film excels in character interplay and humour, with standout moments from the Hulk and Tony Stark. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/the-avengers-assemble-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Jaime N. Christley Rating 3/4. 2 May 2012. The critic commends Whedon's strong classical style, control of image and rhythm, and softening effect on the cast but concludes he has not made a great film. The unwieldy scale of the story and impatience in dialogue scenes are singled out as drawbacks overtaken by blockbuster demands. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-avengers/) ## The New Yorker — Richard Brody Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2012. The movie exists beyond good and bad as a calculated overload of sensation, yet it is an impressive feat of cinematic engineering that carries out its mission with skill while addressing post-9/11 revenge themes. Whedon invests the action with visceral energy while tethering it to the characters' issues. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/the-avengers-not-unlike-an-f-16-stunt-run) ## Film Comment — Scott Foundas Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 1 May 2012. The critic finds it a slickly entertaining package that juggles multiple characters and storylines with agility and occasional wit, but ultimately impersonal and lacking any memorable images or deeper character insight. Ruffalo's awkward Banner is singled out as the one element giving the film personality amid otherwise flat, businesslike execution. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/the-avengers-this-time-its-impersonal/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 3 May 2012. The film is a snappy dialogue comedy in superhero trappings but ultimately succumbs to the genre's bloated cynicism and emptiness. Whedon's playful sensibility cannot overcome the authoritarianism of the modern comic-book blockbuster. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/movies/robert-downey-jr-in-the-avengers-directed-by-joss-whedon.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy 19 April 2012. The critic calls it a massive, humongous blockbuster that balances the ensemble cast effectively and charms both fans and non-fans alike. Whedon is singled out for adroitly juggling the many characters and technical demands. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/avengers-film-review-314291/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A-. 2 May 2012. The critic praises Joss Whedon for delivering a powerhouse payoff that realizes the ambition of assembling multiple franchises, with strong character development, comedy, and epic action sequences. The final battle is singled out as a highlight where every hero contributes meaningfully. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-avengers-review/) ## The Playlist — The Playlist Staff Rating A-. 19 April 2012. The critic finds the film immensely satisfying and one of the best superhero movies yet, crediting Whedon with sharp character work, witty dialogue, clear action, and high stakes that make the ensemble feel alive. They single out the strong performances (especially Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/Hulk) and comic-book scope for praise, while noting the villain and some supporting characters as underdeveloped. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/review-marvels-the-avengers-is-immensely-satisfying-entirely-thrilling-possibly-the-best-superhero-movie-yet-20120419/) ## /Film — Germain Lussier Rating 8.5/10. 30 April 2012. The critic calls the film a high-octane superhero extravaganza that finally delivers the long-awaited team-up on screen with strong character moments, humor, and epic action. They single out the well-balanced ensemble chemistry and Whedon's direction for praise while noting some extraneous subplots and a faceless enemy army as minor flaws. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/520677/the-avengers-movie-review-highoctane-superhero-extravaganza/) ## Den of Geek — James Hunt Rating 5 out of 5. 19 April 2012. The critic's verdict is that it is the best Marvel superhero movie yet, far better than it needed to be and worth the wait. Whedon's direction is singled out for delivering smart, funny, dramatic action while giving every character meaningful moments and perfectly capturing the comic-book spirit. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-avengers-review/) ## Digital Spy — Stella Papamichael Rating 4. 20 April 2012. The verdict is positive: Whedon keeps the long film bright, breezy and fast-paced with non-stop action and rat-a-tat banter. The light-hearted tone and Iron Man's wry humour are singled out for smoothing over rough edges and making the whole thing disarming. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a376724/the-avengers-review-marvels-mightiest-heroes-assemble-on-screen/) ## The Wrap 1 May 2012. The critic finds the film an exhilarating ensemble piece that captures the spirit of the original comics. Whedon is praised for balancing character interactions and witty banter with large-scale action and thrills. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/avengers-review-multi-hero-sandwich-satisfies-38031/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-avengers.md