The Ultimate Evengers DVD (Warning - Spoiler Alert)

Aremis

Ultimate Avengers - A personal review

Synopsis
Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, returns to the world after being frozen in ice for 60 years. It's a different world. A world that needs heroes. With Iron Man, Thor, Wasp, Giant Man, and others, he forms a team to preserve justice in our chaotic times. Together they are The Avengers.

The Movie
First I have to say, I have been a fan since the first issue of the Ultimates hit news stands. The new look, the feel, and the personalities of the characters, updated for a grittier 21st century, had me hooked.

So to get this DVD on release made me jump.

Now the animation is not what I expected. With todays technology, advancements in film and animation, I was quite disappointed with the overall look and feel of the disk. I find that the animation was too 90;s feel to it. I felt like I was watching a saturday morning cartoon again.
Effects, art, was nowhere on par with the comic series, or some of the more top rated animated series we have been privy too in the past 10 years.

Some scenes even used the old "Copy/paste and repeat method", such as in the opening, when American WWII paratroopers are launching from a plane. The sky's background was a static image nearly. The plane looked like it wasn't even moving. The only thing that kept it from being a still frame was the repetitive jumpers crossing the screen.

Now, voice acting was decent, but definitely not a top of the line set of actors working here. I get more emotion and realism from a phone sex operator.

But since this is a straight to DVD marvel production (And the fact that they are aligned with Lion's Gate Films, which believe in less is more, push it out quick kind of films), I decided to overlook the let down on the animation, and hope for a great story.

And despite the fact that the original Ultimates written story has been greatly modified for the small screen, I was again disappointed on this point.

•Cap is OK. The look was pretty dead on - But the voice acting was too soft spoken. Steve Rogers should show power in everything he does, including speaking. I have had hair dressers with more authority than this character has.

•Fury is a little weak for such a powerful figure.

•Tony Stark is pretty decent, but the fact that they went back to the original attitude, where Tony is alone with the construction and maintenance of the armor did disappoint. I liked the idea that it took a huge team to monitor and maintain the armor for him. The Iron Man armor was too much of the original iron man comic look, rather than the newer, bulkier, more believable Ultimate version. We already saw the original back in the 90's in the animated series. They should have stuck with what worked in the new books.

•Jarvis, the butler? I was very upset that they gave him the old avengers personality. Perfect, polite, proper. I much preferred the new Ultimate Jarvis, witty, smart mouth, boozer, insulting to everyone around him.

•Banner and Betty were pretty much out of the comic, so I cant complain too much.

•Black Widow? If you're going to put her in the movie, dont water her down. She's definitely a force to be aware of.

•Hank Pym's introduction was pretty spot on. Right off the bat they give him the "edge", making him a little bit the loose canon he should be. I hated that they ditched the abusive husband persona, for a lighter, more family friendly version who mainly just argues all the time. What I did like was seeing him wearing the original Ant Man helmet. That and his shite eating grin.

•Wasp was the first character I could believe. The acting was soft spoken, with an inner strength showing through. You can honestly believe she loves her husband above all else.

•Thor. What can I say about Thor? No beard? I can accept. I prefer the new costume. So that works. Acting? Eeeechhh. Making Thor such a physically large man compared to even Cap? I liked very much. Very godly looking. the connection between Cap and Thor? Tops. But just something about that actor bugs the Hell out of me. Where's Lodi when you need him?

•The Incredible Hulk (Yes, I consider he and Banner two separate characters...Its my review...Deal with it). To see his first transformation was great. The combination of the hulk being made partially from Gamma rays and partially from Super Soldier serum was a great idea. Not just grunting, Hulk Smash, but a creature like the Smart Hulk of the Avengers. The ditched the grey look from the Ultimate series, but didn't go for the fluorescent green, but more of a combo of the two. I was pretty happy with the depiction.

The story progresses smoothly throughout. Introduction of Cap in WWII, the alien invasion, recovery of Cap, and so on. The introduction and explanation of Vibranium and Adamantium, to explain the indestructible ability of Cap's shield was a good addition.
I would really have loved to see Cap's current costume showing the chain mail look, but alas, they skimped there too.

The main story of battling the aliens was looking promising, and could have made for a great action scene. But their defeat at the hands of the Ultimates was too easy. With all the destruction, it lasted only moments.
But the battle between the Ultimates and the Hulk? Priceless. Everyone fighting hard, Pym's over-achiever attitude towards the hulk because of size, and seeing Thor go toe to toe with him made the movie for me.

Now - If they wanted to really capitalize on this lackluster movie, they should spin it off. The Hulk alone, in a series or a feature length movie, would be a major hit. Man-Up Bruce Banner, so that he doesn't appear to be such a loser and geek that this movie makes him out to be, and you would have the best Hulk depiction on small or big screen ever.

But seeing the movie, I must say, if it wasn't for the inclusion of Thor, as a beer guzzling demigod, and The Incredible Hulk, I would have immediately put the movie in a plastic bag, double bagged, and dropped it right down the trash chute.

Overall, the movie was ok. Personally, I have seen much much better. Would I recommend seeing it? Most definitely. Would I recommend buying it? Not a chance. Borrow it from a friend who was suckered into buying it...like me...Or rent it.

The last work on the movie? Dont miss watching the Voice Talent search that Marvel and Lions Gate conducted for this movie. No submissions were ever used, although some were considered. But trust me - They make the American Idol rejects look like pro's. Look for William Shatner, Yoda, Pacino, and even former president Clinton's auditions. Truly inspiring.

My rating: Three thumbs down.

Running time: 171 minutes
Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.
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New World Media/Muskateer Graphics
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GhostofMacbeth · Forum Member Joined: Sep 21, 2001 Posts: 619

Thanks for the review ... About what I figured

dlfurman · Forum Member Joined: Jun 18, 2002 Posts: 106

I could not pin down what it was that bugged me and you nailed it.

It was 90's cartoonish.

If Marvel is going to do a new production of their source material, then do it. Dont skimp. Unless DC grabbed all the good animators for the JLU cartoon.

I think also that they could have translated the Ultimates in toto to animation. The title was a giveaway. The Ultimate Avengers, not the Ultimates.

The Black Panther is supposed to show up in the next one.
Yep, there's going to be another film coming. Not to keen on the Ultimate Black Panther's costume....

GhostofMacbeth · Forum Member Joined: Sep 21, 2001 Posts: 619

Does the Ultimate Black Panther have the cape? I hate that ...

Aremis · Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:52 pm Post subject:

I agree on the Panthers costume. But lets keep a good open mind - Maybe the next one will be better - And the animations didnt look to be in final stages just yet - So the costume could change still.

But then - I could be the winner of the Powerball lottery too!
And I dont even live in the US
_________________
=============================
New World Media/Muskateer Graphics
~Live the dream, experience the nightmare
=============================