Ok, have seen the movie. Wow.
For newbies, Ultimate Avengers is based off of The Ultimates, arguably the best Ultimate Marvel book out right now. This movie does a good job of adapting the comic to movie form. The transition isn't perfect, but it's still a solid film.
The movie starts just like the comic did, in 1945 when Captain America assaulted a Nazi installation where they intended to fire a missle at Washington. Captain America succeeds in destroying the missle, but is flung into the sea, where he lay for decades in suspended animation. He is found present day, and thawed out to lead a team of superheroes against an alien threat dating back to the war.
The movie has taken liberties with the comic story in order to suit it into movie form. Most people, like myself, won't mind, but a few diehard Ultimates readers will be irked. In the movie, many of the characters are influenced more by their 616 versions than their Ultimate counterparts. The Hulk for example was the result of Gamma rays, not a failed super soldier serum. Late in the movie, he uses Cap's blood to bring the Hulk under control, which didn't last very long. The greatest liberty was taken with Iron Man. In the Ultimates, he willingly joined the Ultimates and his identity is public knowledge. In Ultimate Avengers, he is much more like 616 Iron Man, as until the middle of the movie, everyone thought Tony Stark and Iron Man were two seperate people. Plus, in the comic, it took an entire team of engineers to keep Iron Man operating. In the movie, Stark operates his armor entirely on his own, just like 616 Iron Man. Not really a big deal, and I think it works better in the context of this movie, but many readers of the comic will be turned off again.
Other 616 influences include the absense of a beard for Thor, (a change I personally prefer) as well as the obviousness of his godhood. In the comic, Mark Millar did a good job of keeping us wondering if Thor was really a god. In the movie, there's no doubt about it, Thor is the Norse God of thunder. Also, his powers are 616 based, as it's his hammer that gives him his powers. This is proven when Hulk tried to lift the hammer, but couldn't. 'Only those worthy can lift the hammer of Thor'. I actually liked this change the most. Other changes are a little more laxed, such as the movie's Hulk doesn't have an insane sex drive or commit acts of cannabilism. This is obviously to make the movie suitable for younger audiences, so this can be forgiven.
The relationship between Hank and Janet Pym is widely different from the comic. Hank is still an ***hole, but he's not the same wife beating lowlife he is in the comic. In this movie, Hank and Janet seem to get along rather well, if not for the occasional spat or two. I dare say that the movie's version of Giant Man is likeable, unlike the comic version.
Other characters, such as Nick Fury, Black Widow, and Captain America however, are the most similar to their comic versions. However, Black Widow seems to be very loyal and trustworthy, unlike her comic version. Plus, in the comic, Steve Rogers and Janet Pym become a couple after she breaks up with Hank. In the movie, it's hinted in the middle and at the end of the movie that there might be a developing relationship between Captain America and Black Widow. And seeing as how I don't see Hank and Janet seperating in a future sequel, this seems like a likely pairing.
Story wise, this movie combines the first and second arcs of the comic. The main villains of the movie are the main villains of arc 2, the Chitauri, an alien race based on The Skrulls from 616. And near the end of the movie, the Avengers faceoff with The Hulk, just like at the end of the first arc.
As far as voice acting goes, it's top-notch. All the characters sound as they should, although I still would've liked Sam Jackson to have voiced Fury. The best voice by far is Black Widow. She sounds excellent and is probably the best voiced of all the characters.
Overall, this movie does a great job of blending two major comic arcs into one story. The story will throw off people that were expecting a perfect comic-to-film transition, but people with an open mind will enjoy and appretiate the changes. Animation wise, this movie is like a cross between anime, and cartoon. I can honestly say that the animation looks as close as Brian Hitch's work as you're gonna get, which is a very good thing.
Final Verdict: I'm just gonna say it, this is a very good animated movie. It does the comic justice without straying too far from the source material. Fans and non-fans alike will find something to love with this movie. The animation is spot on, and readers of the comic will find many scenes to be almost ripped from the comic. All the characters are likeable, and the voice acting is excellent. Unfortunately, fans of the comic will be unhappy with the more 616 than Ultimate aspects of the film. I would be scoring this film higher if they had stuck with the Ultimate variations instead of the 616 ones. Nevertheless, it's a solid film and a very good sign of things to come by Marvel.
Score: 8/10
Yes I know gray came first.
