What it must have felt like...

I read a lot of books, most of them I've heard about through word of mouth.  I rarely trust a book review or care about best seller lists - I go entirely on word of mouth.  

And I don't know anyone who recommends comic books.  No offense to those who love them, I just don't read them.

When they make movie adaptations of books I love, I get excited and I plan on seeing the movie.  I go to the movies and wonder about the people sitting there that didn't read the book.  They probably feel left out or think that it's incredibly stupid (Twilight Franchise) and I really don't care because I loved the book so much, I overlook things like greasy lead characters and cheesy lines, scenes and choice of wardrobe.

I went to Avengers last night.  I wasn't planning on it because I haven't watched all of the comic book movies.  I've seen and even own both Iron Man movies because I enjoy Robert Downey Jr.'s eccentric humor.  I saw the Hulk because I was interested how Edward Norton would play a comic book character.  (My thoughts?  Meh.)  But that's about it when it comes to this movie.

A good portion through the movie I realized, I was that person that didn't read the book.  There was missing information - people were giggling at comments that didn't make a lot of sense and there were scenarios that clearly, I had missed out on.  Wait...why was that funny?

That's not to say it wasn't enjoyable, there was action - Robert Downey Jr. didn't disappoint - in fact I think he carried the movie.  Aside from a really funny part where the Hulk just pummeled the bad guy mid "I'm smarter and stronger and you will lose" speech.  It made me laugh a lot actually.

I couldn't help but notice the theater was full of its version of "Twi-hards" as well.  There were capes, there were individuals who I judged prematurely as maybe living in their mother's basements.  I'm not proud of said judgements, I'm sure they're wonderful contributing members of society.

I was also unaware of the movie's length.  We saw a 10:25 showing and didn't get home until well after 1 am.  And we don't live far from the movie theater - at all.  

What I'm really trying to say is, regardless of the hype and the fact that I didn't "read the book," I actually, for the most part, enjoyed it.  There weren't too many overly cliche' lines and situations.  They maybe should have picked a scarier bad guy - he was a little too "I hate my parents" for me.  I'm pretty sure in a fight I could take him (you know, without his stick of doom or whatever it was.)  Robert Downey Jr is hilarious as always and I enjoyed Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk as well.

Even if you're not a comic book fan, I think you'd enjoy it as well.  

Rating: Pleasantly Surprised