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The Avengers
Threat advisory: High - High risk of entertaining activities
Movie propaganda
Saving the world in style.
One lump or two? If jiu-jitsu master Miss Emma Peel asks, she's not necessarily referring to tea time.
The Avengers, the hip secret agent series from 60s TV, is re-invented for the movies with this stylish, effects-packed blend of action, outrageous villainy, sly wit and fabulous retro fashions. Ralph Fiennes is bowler-topped John Steed and Uma Thurman is cat-suited Miss Peel, a pair who, when it comes to stopping crime, have the right stuff. Sean Connery portrays Sir August de Wynter, an evil genius bent on controlling the weather. With his buzz-bombing mechanical bees, raging ice storms and scorching sun, Sir August may indeed be de Wynter of our discontent.
But come cold, heat or dreaded plight, our two heroes will never lose their cool. Tea anyone?
Target demographic movie keyword propaganda
- Film TV UK spy adventure thriller Emma Peel 1960 John Steed bowler hat
Cinematic intelligence sources
Intelligence analyst
Special Agent Matti
Theatrical report
Almost, but not quite.
The original Avengers - not to be confused with The new Avengers which starred Patrick Macnee, Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt- was one of my favourite TV shows. Steed was always so cool, Peel was just an absolute legend. Naturally enough, any movie remake without Diana Rigg is going to lose points.
Uma doesn't quite have Diana's sharp eyed intelligence. She always looks as if she's half asleep. Great for Come-to-bed scenes but not so good when playing an uberspy. Being a brunette doesn't help either - Diana's jet black hair gave her a hard-edged quality that Uma lacks.
Similarly, Ralph doesn't measure up to Patrick. He's too soft, too emotional. Steed has all the cool reserve of the English gentleman. Ralph is a downgraded version for the 90s. Sean is simply awful. Megalomaniac mad scientists are a low point for any actor, let alone one of Sean's stature.
But despite my rose tinted memories, The Avengers is still a fun film to watch. There's lots of action, lots of double entendre, lots of sexiness and lots of laffs. There's an almost psychotic need to ignore the relevancies of the modern world in a way that actually heightens your viewing pleasure.
Imagine if James Bond was a slightly better class of person (and the Bond Girl wasn't a slut). Imagine if The Saint was one. Imagine if Our man Flynt was less flammable. Now you're starting to get the idea.
The Avengers is definitely a great film to watch it's just that I am being very parochial about my childhood memories.
Security censorship classification
PG (Medium level violence)
Surveillance time
89 minutes (1:29 hours)
Not for public release in Australia before date
VHS rental: 30 March 1999
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