THE AVENGERS (1998): Post TV And Before The Marvel Universe

I am old enough to have seen the original TV series the first time around and while I remember it fondly, it was definitely a product of its time. What makes this film so enjoyable for me is that it is not merely trying to copy the old series but to reinvent it. Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman are John Steed and Emma Peel this time around. No they aren’t Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg nor should they try to be. They have created their own version of the characters and they work quite well together.

Their overwritten dialogue is overplayed with just the proper restraint. Sean Connery as Sir August, the principal villain, seems to be underplaying his role until you notice his eyes. Watch the eyes of all the characters. They are an important motif throughout the movie. Jim Broadbent’s liquid eyes as “Mother” are full of knowledge and sympathy while Fiona Shaw’s traitorous “Father” is literally blind to everything. Patrick Macnee (the original John Steed) has an important cameo as an invisible man. He holds the key to the mystery but he cannot be seen.

Director Jeremiah Chechik (BENNY AND JOON) has created a modern day fairy tale out of the old series while retaining the droll humor and the surreal touches (the brightly colored teddy bears are a good example). Much of the look of the film resembles the illustrations of modern day children’s books especially THE POLAR EXPRESS. My only real complaint with the film is Eddie Izzard’s use of the f-word. It is totally out of character with the rest of the film and was added solely to get a PG-13 rating.

I was hoping the DVD would include the missing footage cut from the film before its release but no cigar. Sources close to the film say that it would clarify a number of points including the two Mrs Peels. Perhaps we will see it in a future reissue. So for the meantime put away your preconceived baggage and try and take the film on its own terms and you may be pleasantly surprised as I was. It is a shame that today AVENGERS means the Marvel Universe and nothing else.