Review: Avengers Assemble

 

Possibly one of the most highly anticipated film of the year, I was lucky enough last week to attend a multimedia screening of Avengers Assemble, eager to see what all the fuss was about.

Not being a fan of, or had even watched, any of the films which lead up to this, I had expected to be thrown into a two and a half hour long comic book fest, filled with jokes I didn't get, and plot lines I couldn't make sense of.

Luckily for me, only one of the two was true.

The story kicks off with Loki (the one with the horns) making his way into SHEILD, a government agency, via the Tesserac, a blue shiny thing that holds the potential to take control of the world and also acts as a passage way from another dimension into this. In response to Loki's relocation to Earth with the intention of killing us all, as well as hijacking some faces which will be familiar to Marvel fans, Nick Fury gathers Iron Man, Thor, the Incredible Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Captain America to sort him out.

Pause for Laughter

One of the elements which made this film so watchable were the frequent breaks for laughter which continued throughout, a product of the double layer of battles, not just the age old battle of good and evil, the Avengers vs. Loki, but the bickering and bantering which goes on between the re-imagined superheroes themselves, separates this film from "just another superhero flick".

A numerous points during the film do we pause for Tony Stark to wise crack his counterparts, or for the self awareness of Agent Coulson's fan-boy to come across and create some subtle, ironic humour. The result is that the two hour geek-athon is noticeably missing those dragging moments films of this scale and length tend to have. A statement which we'll have to wait to see whether the other two blockbuster superhero films to be released this year, The Amazing Spiderman, and The Dark Knight Rises, will be able to match.

Another unique element of this film is the role that the female character, Black Widow as played by ScarJo, plays in the narrative. From the outset Black Widow proves herself to be intelligent, physically strong and persuasive. At no point during the film is there reference to her physical appearance, nor is there an inkling of a romantic relationship between herself or any of the other male characters. Even when she needs to extract information from Loki, it isn’t through her physicality that she achieves this, but through her dialogue. And how many other female leads in blockbuster films can the same be said for?

Verdict

Overall I’d say this film is well worth a watch even if you’re not a comic book fan, or are even familiar with the franchise which surrounds this film. Whilst I’m sure knowing about all the ins and outs of the characters back stories would help you in really getting 100% out of the experience, as well as appreciating the real comedy behind the quips, it stands its ground without and the clever script, special effects and cinematography of the climactic battle all impress.

I give this film 4 stars.

Saturday Steal 008: Versace studs

Hello there,

TIme for another Saturday Steal and this week I've gone for studs.

Versace featured studs in some shape or form on almost every model that walked down the SS12 catwalk, and since then the trend has been adopted by nearly every high street shop, Topshop included.

They have a white bralet with gold studs that bear more than a passing resemblance to that which was on the catwalk, albeit a bit more purse friendly.

Whilst I don't think I'll be wearing it myself, I do love studs so a studded skirt or jacket is right up my street.

How do you feel about studded clothing and will you be buying any?

Spring Summer Trend Guide Part 3: Rockabilly

Another Summer Trend Report and today it's the turn of Rockabily, or American Vintage.

This trend was particularly prevalent at the Prada, Mui Mui, and Marc Jacob shows, with fun, quirky prints doing the rounds, along with heavy styling with a clear influence from the 1950s era, with cat eye sunglasses, scarves tied around the neck and skirts which fall no higher than the knee.

I'm particuarly in love with these prints, and Motel's lipstick print top is a must!

Whilst bearing the midriff is something I, let alone the rest of the world, am not quite ready for, teaming a shorter length top or a bra top with a high waisted skirt seems like the perfect way to inject some 1950s fun into your spring/summer wardrobe.

Would you wear any of these items?

Let Your Fingers do the Talking: NoTD

I haven't done a nail post in what seems like ages, despite me doing something with them pretty much every single week!

So this week I've gone for a nude pink colour, Ciate; My Fair Lady I believe I got free with a copy of Elle magazine a while ago, with some silver tips, done in Barry M Foil 319.

 

I think the colours really work together nicely and it feels quite fresh and bright.

On my right hand I attempted to use some tape to get a perfect line for the tip, but all this really achieved is removing the pink from my nail when I tried to delicately peel them off. On the left hand (seen in the photo) I just did it free hand and I think it turned out just fine after a heavy layer of top coat went on it!

What's on your nails at the moment?

Colour Crush: Peach

Next in my colour crush series is Peach.

I love this colour as part of the ice cream pastal trend which is always big for Summer, it flatters almost every skin tone (but obviously looks best with a deep golden brown tan gained on your holidays.. *sigh*) and is everywhere at the moment.

Keep things subtle with just a nail colour or clutch, or go whole hog with jeans or a playsuit, how do you think this colour will fit into your wardrobe this Summer?

New In

This weekend we made a bit of an impromptu trip to Westfield and I couldn't resist getting myself these shoes from River Island.

They're my first pair of high tops, and have a concealed wedge (you can hardly see it's there) hidden in the heel.

I've already done a post about these sorts of shoes as they're a copy of an Isabel Marant pair as seen on Miranda Kerr and Anne Hathaway to name just two and I really am so excited to finally have them!

They're uber comfortable, you hardly feel like you're wearing a heel at all, look good with my usual attire of skinny jeans and a tee, and didn't break the bank at £40.

I really can't wait to wear these over summer; I think they'll look great with denim shorts for weekend casual. And not to mention they're my first pair of trainers since I was a child! Is it bad that I'm already eying up another pair sans wedge? :S

Saturday Steal No 007: Louboutin Studded Courts

Christian Louboutin's shoes are no doubt some of the most equisite out there. Classy, sophisticated, desireable, sexy, they have it all, and it's no secret that I'd give anything to have a pair. This week they launched their English online boutique, and after I'd spend most of my lunch hour drooling, I decided I need to have a pair of studded courts in my life.

At £695 the originals aren't going to be gracing my feet any time soon, but Missguided have cottoned on and offer an uncanny pair for just £40.99.

True they're not the real deal with the red soles, but they'd do me just fine!

Colour Crush: Mint

In the second of my colour crush series I've gone for colour of the moment: mint.

I really love this colour for summer, it's so fresh, bright and is easy for anyone to wear. The braver might want to go for the jeans, or if you'd rather keep is more subtle, the Topshop bandeau under a vest top. You could even add an injection of colour with a mint blazer like the River Island one above; the perfect way brighten up an outfit.

I'm personally in love with the Miss Selfridge playsuit, it's got a gorgeous cut out at the back and is easy to dress up or down for any occasion.

Do you have any mint coloured itemed in your wardrobe?

Blogger Style

A few of the many blogs I follow have posted some outfit posts recently which have really caught my eye.

I love not only the clothes the girls in these photos are wearing, but the way they have the confidence to post these sorts of image, something I'd never do!

First up is Olivia from What Olivia Did wearing a Lipstick print body from Motel, which I think is gorgeous. I love the bouffant hair and rep lips as well, what a combo!

I also love the way Audrey from A Lovely Escape has teamed a chic but neutral outfit with some gorgeous neon shoes, it really takes it from being plain to something a bit more special.

There is also That Chick's Got Style, who has teamed a denim motorcycle jacket with some ankle grazing trousers and some killer heels. I like the colours she has used and how it looks so effortless.

And finally is Morven from Cat and Rocking Chairs. I love it when her outfit posts pop up in my feed and in this one she's wearing a couple of show stopping Mango pieces. The sequin skirt fantastically sparkly and the white blazer she's teamed with it is tres chic.

Who do you love seeing outfit posts from?