Assignment 1-4-2: Popular Beliefs, Myths and Icons of The Avengers

Last summer’s The Avengers was a smash hit bringing in over $200 million in it’s opening weekend. While enjoying the movie on a base level with a bowl of popcorn, analyzing the film closer shows popular beliefs running throughout the movie, a basic myth, and many pop culture icons.

The popular belief running throughout The Avengers is even though each of these heroes are powerful in their own way, only combined and working as a team can they overcome great odds. When each hero combined their powers and skills were they able to defeat Loki and his army, saving the world in the process. Before each character dropped ego and self-interest, little was being accomplished. Soon though, when working together they were able to decipher the plans of Loki. Some scenes pointed this teamwork out clearly. Iron Man, only with the help of Captain America, was able to keep the airship in the air and Tony Stark and Bruce Banner worked together to find the Tesseract. Captain America even gave Black Widow a boost in the air to jump onto one of the enemy ships.

This movie works within a couple myths. One myth is monomyth. Each hero is requested to join together as a team when Loki steals the Tesseract. They initially refuse and do not get along, but soon start to become integrated as a team. They are tested by the battle in the air fortress, and become separated. They come together in New York for a climactic battle between Loki and his army, and defeat him by working together. Another myth is the myth of good versus evil. These good heroes are put through trials throughout the movie trying to defeat the evil Loki. When agent Coulson is killed by Loki, some of the heroes come together for revenge, while others come together to for the greater good of defeating evil. These heroes rise to defeat the army, Loki and save the world.

The Avengers has very strong icons all combined in one movie. America’s hero Captain America, wearing the colors of the flag symbolizes patriotism. Iron Man, with his cold metal suit, and sharp tongue and money, symbolizes capitalism, while the Hulk with his uncontrollable rage and strength symbolizes pure unbridled power. Thor and Loki symbolize the battle and jealousy that sometimes resonates within family, and also good hair. These heroes have been in comics, their own movies, cartoons, shirts and toys. Captain America’s shield is instantly recognizable on a shirt, poster, or sadly even on tattoos. The movie even makes reference of this by having the heroes of the film becoming pop culture icons, within the movie world. They begin appearing on paintings, shirts, etc.

Head and Shoulders?

Many insights can be gained from examining the beliefs, myths, and icons in The Avengers.  The summer blockbuster entertains viewers with explosions, special effects, and leather outfits, but then connects with them emotionally by using classic pop culture themes and images. And again, there was those impressive explosions and special effects. 

Reference

Internet Movie Database. (n.d). The Avengers (2012): Retrieved March 2, 2013 from the Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848228/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1