Came back from the SD screening and was digesting everything over the weekend and discussing the movie with my gf, who absolutely loved it and she isn't a comic book person by any means, though she liked IM, TFA, and the first half of TIH. Mad kudos to my gf though for driving down with me to SD from LA at 4am and waiting with me in line for 4 hours, that is true support
Just note there are a couple very very minor spoiler comments in this post, but nothing that gives away major plot points, though I'm sure other reviews have given away much more than I will.
My one-line spoiler free review is - funny, witty, and plenty of action. Most of the positive points already discussed in this thread. I did feel that there were a handful of dialogue that felt forced. ScarJo also had a couple ridiculous cheeseball scenes that got a few chuckles, especially since the last one ended with a hair flip after jumping off an aircraft flying 100mph, lol. Also a couple minor plot holes but nothing major. Thor's entry into Earth and the Jane Foster element was glossed over and I thought they could've added 5-10 minutes for that but I quickly got over it in the following fight scene, though I doubt they'll cover it in Thor 2 as it sounds like the sequel will focus on the events after Avengers. I thought how the final battle scene ended after IM did his thing was a bit of a cop out but I overlooked it considering the final battle scene was basically comic book pr0n on the silver screen. Yes that is simply the best way to describe it

This movie in its entirety was comic book pr0n, and it did so not taking itself too seriously which I loved.
Hulk made a STRONG comeback considering TIH was the weakest box office of the 5 Marvel movies, really hoping they do Hulk 2 for their 2014 slate behind Cap 2 but we'll see. I didn't particularly feel like the Hulk stole the movie per say, I thought Iron Man had just as much awesomeness in the movie as Hulk. As much as I didn't like some of the design elements in the Mk7 suit (namely the silver painted parts), I have to admit, the new weaponry and the action scenes they choreographed for IM more than made up for that design

The one scene with IM flying in and using Cap's shield almost made me change my pants! Cap and Thor were definitely playing second fiddle to those two, Thor more so than Cap. Both of them had some great scenes though I felt that Thor's dialogue scenes were a little too light for my taste as I think there was only maybe one line from Thor that I found funny. Hawkeye is definitely the odd-man out here, he has a good amount of screen time but not much memorable dialogue from him.
Do I like this movie better than TDK? My gf certainly did, and she loves Batman more than any Marvel franchise. I'm still a bit torn. TDK was groundbreaking because it was gritty and adult-oriented, and was a great movie that transcended the comic book category and became one of the best crime drama movies I've seen next to Heat. Avengers was by far more entertaining and awesome than TDK, a bit less polished in other respects as a film but the humor and action was well beyond TDK. I love both movies, but I'd watch Avengers more times than TDK

Best way to put it is, TDK was a great drama film, Avengers was an awesome popcorn CBM, quite possibly the best popcorn entertainment I've had, period.
And to put things in non-geek perspective, my gf said after the movie she didn't mind getting in that early and waiting in line for that long for this movie. Despite all the hype she still absolutely loved it and commented it was by far the best movie she's seen, probably exaggerated a bit

She also said that for me to love it despite all my expectations for it was a big deal, as when I saw TDK the first time I wasn't as hyped up for it.
I've already seen the movie and I can't wait for my midnight screening on May 3, that's how much I want to see it again
Obtw, there's barely any easter eggs in there if any, I certainly didn't notice any. No special cameos other than the one in the mid-credit scene. Don't let the false rumors fool you. I'm hoping the extra scene RDJ is filming is a teaser for IM3 but it wasn't in the Apr 14 screening yet.