Movie reviews: Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Agent Phil Coulson, from Marvel's The Avengers, assembles and leads a team of top S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. Tasked with investigating unusual threats deemed too dangerous for the public to know about, the agents are a last line of defense before calling The Avengers.

Clark Gregg (Coulson), Ming-Na Wen (Melinda May), Chloe Bennet (Skye), Ian De Caestecker (Fitz), Elizabeth Henstridge (Jemma Simmons), Brett Dalton (Grant Ward), Henry Simmons (Mack), Nick Blood (Hunter).

The first season of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is a bit rough with somewhat thin plots and less than exciting acting. By the end of the first season we start seeing nice improvements with the cast and with plot lines crossing seasons and episodes in season 2, things get much better. The series is an obvious attempt at maintaining and building interest in The Avengers series but actually works fine by itself. The depth of some episodes is hindered by time as this is a TV series, but most are wrapped up nicely.

Again, acting was a little rough in the beginning but this cast really found their feet. Gregg does an awesome job fitting intelligence, curiosity, and humor into his character. Wen is a lot of fun and settled into the series nicely. Bennet grew into her role pretty well, as did Dalton and Simmons. Caestecker and Henstridge both did very well. The remainder of the cast, with some familiar names, supported nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all enjoyable but CGI is the master here. Effects were very well done with good detail and fit throughout the series. Dialogue was funny, sad, and everything in between and holds interest pretty well. Sound and soundtrack are quite good.

While Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. may be aimed at a younger audience, and is obviously focused on supporting a franchise, it is also a solid series from Joss Whedon with many of his trademark moves. Whedon, Avenger, sci-fi, or CGI fans should enjoy this one.

With plenty of sci-fi action and violence, mild sexuality and foul language, and a few frightening scenes, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 6.8.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, TV Sci-Fi & Action, TV Sci-Fi & Fantasy, TV series

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