The Ultimate Avengers DVD

Growing up a marvel comics fan, I was interested in seeing The Ultimate Avengers. Not my favorite line of comics, preferring to read the interesting characters in their own series but nevertheless there were some fascinating story lines.

Every ten years or so, the comic book community will re-interpret major characters and plot lines to make him/her/team more relevant, and lets be honest to sometimes get back on track after the myriad writing teams screw stuff up in the continuum. The Ultimate Avengers is a 2D (normal) animation, direct to DVD adaptation of the comic book of the same name doing exactly this re-interpretation of the Avengers comic.

The leader of the Avengers is Captain America, thawed out from his fifty year hibernation in ice after a battle in World War 2. As his team of Avengers is assembled he carries the burden of being a moral man from a different time struggling to understand the world he is in today.

Rounding out the cast is IronMan, Giant/Ant Man, Wasp, Thor, Hulk and Black Widow. The remainder of the story involves each individual grasping that they are now part of a team and how to work within the confines of other egos.

The main plot is a race of aliens that have been living on Earth and subverting the culture. The Avengers are brought together to protect the country while they finish up their defensive mechanisms. A strong sub-plot involves Bruce Banner trying to use Captain Americas Super Soldier serum to control the Hulk. This has terrible consequences.

The animation is solid. Instead of going with waxy computer animation, the director instead uses a hyped up 2D process that resembles what you would see in a comic book. The detail, especially of the Hulk and his bulging muscles is great.

The bonus material is decent with a chapter on how instead of big name talent for the super heroes, the director picked the right voice.

Instead of a talking commentary to follow the movie, pop ups are used to punctuate and explain key points of the character or their past and how the DVD is . I really enjoyed this as it was again a reinforcement of the comic experience.

3.5 year old Mighty Mo really got into Captain America and IronMan. The movie is rated PG-13 for some violent fighting, drinking and perhaps a "Damn" here or there. I think this is a bit over the top. A good movie to watch with your kid.