Ultimate Avengers

Dir: Steven E. Gordon, Curt Geda, Bob Richardson

2006

***

Just before the Avengers film franchise really took off, Marvel made a couple of animated films based on the superheroes comic adventures. 2006's Ultimate Avengers isn't quite the same as the live action films would turn out but I can't help but think this influenced them and its DNA is in the blueprints of phase one of the Marvel cinematic universe. In Ultimate Avengers we see the team come together for the first time and take on invading Aliens who were in fact responsible for the Nazis. The team, led by Captain America under the watchful eye of Nick Fury (no pun intended, honestly) includes Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, The Wasp and Ant Man - who in this instant has somehow reversed the powers of his suit to become Gi-ant man. They are assisted by S.H.E.I.L.D. doctor Bruce Banner who eventually helps them as his alter-ego, The Incredible Hulk. The animation has its high points and its low points but is generally of a high quality. The good guys beat the bad guys towards the end of the film as you'd expect but the real treat here is watching Hulk turn on his comrades. Avengers vs Hulk make this the surprisingly exciting watch that it is, especially when you realise it was made years before the live action films. Marvel animations are generally on par with DC's, they're nowhere near as good as the films or the comics but they are fun all the same.