Quickie Movie Review: "Ultimate Avengers: The Movie"

Rated: PG-13 for action violence
Starring: Justin Gross, Grey DeLisle, and Michael Massee
Released: 2006

Synopsis: During World War II, Captain America saved the world from nuclear destruction...only to be frozen in the depths of the sea in the process.  In modern times, the same threat is back, and Cap appears to be the only one who can stop them.  After he is thawed, he teams up with Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and other superheroes to save the planet once again...but the newly formed Avengers are having trouble working as a team.  Just when they think they've disposed of their foes, it turns out that their biggest threat comes from within.
Based on The Ultimates by Marvel Comics.

My Review: I've reviewed probably more superhero-themed entertainment on this blog than anything else.  Among them was each of the six volumes of Disney XD's The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes, which features many of the same characters and situations as this movie does.  Instead of feeling like déjà vu all over again, though, it was fun to see a bit of a different take on the Marvel characters.  It was actually a bit better than many of the DC Comics films, if only because the makers didn't feel the need to pepper in excessive profanity, unnecessarily graphic scenes, and needless sexual content.  Superhero fans who have already blown through the various Disney XD series should give this a try.  Just be warned: The violence is rather intense, as you'll see in the section below.

Content Concerns:

• Sex: A beautiful woman is used to get a playboy's attention. 4/5
• Nudity: Cleavage; bare midriffs; a woman in a tiny outfit; a shirtless guy. 3/5
• Language: Three or four d-words, an h-word, and a misuse of God's name, as well as a bit of name-calling. 3/5
• Violence: Right from the get-go, this film packs a lot of fantasy violence.  The Avengers, the bad guys, and others are hit, kicked, punched, choked, slammed, shot at, etc., throughout.  It gets even more intense at the end, when one of the Avengers fights against all the others; one of the heroes is seen with blood on his face. 2/5
• Drugs: Chemical transformations; drinking at a bar; a guy is seen with a wine bottle. 4/5
• Frightening/Intense Scenes: The villains are a bit scary, as is the Hulk, especially when--spoiler!--he goes on a rampage.  There is also some emotional intensity. 2/5
• Other: Some crude humor (i.e., burping.) 4/5

Score: 3.5/5