The Ultimates
Avengers Assemble

// Synopsis: In the present day, a group of super heroes are made into a team to combat an alien menace that threatens the world.

// Review: This Lions Gate film is based on the first volume of the comic book The Ultimates. It's a new line by Marvel Comics that puts an HBO spin on some of their most popular titles. During WWII the super soldier Captain America apparently gave his life to stop a nuclear missile launched by the Nazis who had the aid of aliens. 60 years later his body has been found preserved in ice. He is resuscitated and made the leader of team of freelance scientists, a billionaire playboy, and the Norse God of Thunder all under the umbrella of the government group SHIELD. As they prepare for an impending showdown with the aliens they must first battle with each other to exist as a team.

/ The comic is excellent. The premise of super heroes around today is intriguing. Tony Stark only agrees to join as Iron Man if he has the exclusive marketing rights to the Avengers. Carefree and confident, though he is forced to deal with his issues of intimacy and his own mortality because he suffers from brain cancer. Captain America is a man of out time and finds himself in a new world where his sweetheart has married his best friend, while the rest are long since dead. The Wasp and Giant Man are married but have their own personal issues with jealousyego, and spousal abuse. There is also Bruce Banner as the Hulk, who has very complicated identity problems. They have super powers, and yet they are all still human with very real weaknesses. It's messy. On top on this, there is a deadly traitor in their fold and the rest of the world hates America and schemes against it.

/ Just like the books are always better than the movie adaptation, the same applies here. The movie is tamer, less violent, and omits most of the gritty relational interplay. Most of the movie focuses on assembling the team and leads to an anti-climactic battle with the aliens. The voice acting is excellent and uses veteran actors. Unfortunately the animation wavers between stunning to eye sore.

// Wrap up: If you are a fan of comics then you will enjoy this new spin on old favorites. If you are a fan of The Ultimates in particular, it's cool to see the pages animated but the comic book experiences is much greater than the movie.

Entertainment rating: 5