![[Diversions]](/~d49er/Icon/diversions.gif){kind=icon}
"The Avengers" delivers a dull spy movie instead of the slick, action-packed flick the previews promised.
In the movie, scientist Emma Peel (Uma Thurman) and secret agent John Steed (Ralph Fiennes) try to prove Peel innocent of a crime and prevent Sir August (Sean Connery) from using his weather-controlling device to extort money from the world's nations.
This conflict never builds any captivating suspense because Peel and Steed rarely face off with August on screen.
Filling most of the movie's time, the dialogue is full of pretentious words, haughty laughs, dry British humor and witty but dull quips about the weather. The movie resembles a science-fiction cartoon in that its characters try to make simple terms such as "electrons" sound important by excessively using them.
Moreover, the movie lacks convincing action scenes. Choreographed fight scenes occur throughout the film.
The acting, on the other hand, is somewhat convincing, except for Thurman's performance.
Thurman excessively smiles and smirks and displays the same trite drama and little depth Michelle Pfeiffer's character gives in the last 10 minutes of "Batman Returns."
Connery convincingly plays a blunt and light-hearted villain, whose emotion and intellect is slightly explored. Also, Fiennes gives a plausible performance as a stiff British gentleman.
Another intriguing aspect is its production style. Tornados lift up London streets, lightning bolts strike buildings, and gray clouds grumble, all creating an ominous atmosphere.