Review: The Avengers

via Wikipedia

We had a pretty great group of friends in Brandon, and we had some pretty great times. Oddly, one of my favourite memories is meeting up go head out to see Ironman the night it opened. Having been one of the newbies into the group, I certainly wasn't as well versed in the Marvel universe and its comic cannon. However, I found it didn't much matter when it came to the movie - it was pretty great, even from the outsider's perspective. Of course, I was the only one that noticed that Pepper Potts ran quickly - without a single stumble - in stilettos on a metal grate.
After leaving Brandon, we didn't keep up with watching the movies as they opened. There was the interest, but never the collective plan. Now being in Winnipeg, a variation of that group is forming, so we reserved 9 seats for the IMAX 3-D screening of The Avengers last Sunday.

In preparation, I recapped Ironman and Ironman II (having watched it earlier this year on Netflix), watched Captain America and Thor (also on Netflix) and watched key portions of The Hulk - the quick solution to not having the background the others had.

However, the minute the movie started, I knew the strength of the movie was that you didn't need to have a strong background. Sure, having seen the other movies did help, but the best way to build a successful franchise is to create a series of movies that work independently and collectively. And while I can't say all the movies were shining examples of cinematographic genius, The Avengers is certainly a strong capstone for the universe.

Among its strengths is that it follows the same set up as all the other movies within the series. These movies are essentially all bildungsroman* - loosely translated to "coming of age stories". This genre introduces a character who is different. This difference isolates them from the rest of society, being ostracized from those around them. They often take a journey - figurative, or literal - to learn how they can best use their differences as a strength. Having received this time for personal growth, they can re-integrate into the world, and provide a valuable service. The genesis of The Avengers as a group follows much the same pattern - only they are both the individuals being ostracized and the community ostracizing them.

Building off of this formula holds two benefits. One, it creates a link between the movies, some familiarity if you will. Two, it allows the audience to learn a bit about each of the characters individually before seeing how they all are designed to work together.

One deviation is made. While the romance sub-plot is heavy in the individual hero movies, the relationships in focus on this one is certainly how the heroes interact with each other. Sure, there is some interesting tension between Hawk Eye and the Black Widow, there is the familiarity with Pepper and Tony, and a quick reference to the love interest of Thor (Jane?)

Despite this, I do think it's a great date movie - no gooey romance to bore the gents, but not enough blood and guts to disgust the ladies.

*The level of social acceptance varies in each movie at its conclusion, and is interesting to examine in terms of identities. Tony certainly is accepted to a large degree as Iron Man, as is Steve Rogers as Captain America (interesting, Tony is accepted as himself in the second, while Steve Rogers is never accepted for anything other than his alter ego). Thor returns to his home planet (and also doesn't so much have an alter), and Bruce Banner distances himself at the end of The Hulk purposely, to further develop. His development is more thoroughly continued in The Avengers than the other characters. The Black Widow and Hawk Eye do have some development in The Avengers, but I have a feeling their time has yet to come.

My own little pizza heaven

I've been trying to read and engage more with the Winnipeg blogging scene. So far, I've been lurking, not being bold enough to introduce myself to people I might actually physically run into one day, and researching, not having the money to check out all the latest and greatest stores, events and restaurants they mention.

However, when I read Kyla Roma's description of "the best pizza in the prairies" I had to give it a try.

Last Friday, Scott and I had reason to celebrate. We are still fully in "we have absolutely not money" mode, so we knew our favourite ways to celebrate - champagne, or a nicer dinner out - were not in our financial future. Instead, we got off our bus ride home in Osborne Village and checked out A Little Pizza Heaven.We could afford 2 slices of pizza, right?

Not only could we afford it - 2 slices and a drink (I never finish mine so I often split with Scott when we go out) came to just over $6. While the slices weren't as big as, say, a mall food court pizza slice, they definitely surpass that in terms of quality. The crust is so often just the "food delivery medium," but A Little Pizza Heaven uses a buttered garlic dough that makes you actually look forward to eating the crust - and I never eat the crust!

Even the staff was pretty awesome. While we were finishing up our slices, and admiring the "art work" on the wall (I wanted so bad to ask for markers and add my own drawing!!), a girl came in looking for a slice of pizza. Either she was vegan or lactose-intolerant, she needed a slice without cheese, an option not readily available. While the obvious option was to make her buy a small pizza to fit within her dietary needs, but coming in at a higher price than the slice she came in for, they offered to make a full pizza to her liking so she could buy her one slice. Considering it was a cloudy, slow day on Osborne, and few people are likely to venture into a pizza place looking for a cheeseless pizza, it may not have made the most financial sense, but their attention to their customers ensures that she (and we!) will be back in the future. And maybe, once we're a little richer, we'll can get a full pizza to check out their specialty pizza options!

I don't often review a business or a product without getting some kind of kick back myself (I'm a capitalist at heart). The exception is when I am truly blown away by something. I even took the unprecedented step of dropping my blog business card and a note on the counter on my way out, letting them know how much I enjoyed the food. A Little Pizza Heaven could easily compete for the best pizza in the city, but combined with price and customer service, I think it's a slice ahead of their competition!

A Little Pizza Heaven - 120 Osborne St. Winnipeg