Why wait for Sept. 25 to see all the behind-the-scenes
extras from this summer’s mega-blockbuster on The Avengers blu-ray when so much is already available on
YouTube?
Okay, true, the blu-ray and DVD extras will be more
extensive and likely super-cool. But with all the great clips available via
social media, it’s easy to get your fix early. And it makes us wonder if the
blu-ray should include a special section specifically for some of the best “caught
on smartphone” videos.
Most of those that we’ve found – and are most interested in
– take place during last year’s on location work in downtown Cleveland. A big
deal, since the scenes are from the final big battle with the alien Chitauri.
Here are some of our favorites:
Avengers
Battle Scene – Day 2, by jpesicek
In this two-minute clip, we get to see just how much of E. 9th
and Euclid was consumed by The Avengers
movie set. While it takes a good minute to get into the action, once it does,
you can see a long line of Humvees firing into the sky.
For sure one of our top picks, BohemeHippie’s two-minute
clip (likely shot from the Medical Mutual building, situated right along E. 9th
and in the middle of all the action) features Captain America (Chris Evans) and
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) near the end of the film. The clip begins with a special
effects artist dressing Evans’ battle wound with blood and Evans and Hemsworth
sharing a story (though we can’t hear what they’re saying), followed by some
camera focus work and then a take of what surely Cap and Thor praying that Tony
Stark will make it out of the portal alive. (Those who have seen the film will
know what I’m talking about.)
Loki
Meanders About Stuttgart, by Kbodnar10
You won’t find a lot of good behind-the-scenes footage from
the other big Avengers scene shot in
downtown Cleveland – Loki battling
Captain America in Germany. But this short clip shows Tom Hiddleston in full
Loki regale, meandering about the set, waiting for stuff to happen.
Cap
Flies out the Bank Window, by tpfenner
It’s short – 22 seconds. But it’s fun to see Cap come
crashing out of the bank window.
Captain
America and Thor Battle the Chitauri, by MedMutual
Wanna see Cap and Thor take on the Chitauri? Here they are,
duking it out with the stunt double stand-ins, dressed in motion capture suits.
Battle
Blooper - Thor, by surfohio3
Who says we have to wait for a blooper reel, too? This short
clip features Captain America and Thor about to battle the aliens. Hemsworth
(Thor) is set to catch his might hammer and smash some Chitauri. But Hemsworth
can’t seem to get a grip on the hammer.
Thor
Pounds Car, by surfohio3
Another one of our favorites. In this clip, we get to see
some practical effects in action. Remember that scene in the big battle where
Thor smacks a car with Mjolnir and send the vehicle tumbling side-over-side?
Here it is as it was filmed. Thor, hammer and tumbling car included.
Captain
America Jumping Cars, by skinnymonkey
Love this clip, rendered in slo-mo by the filmmaker, that
features Captain America (presumably a stunt double) running across a line of
cars to join the battle.
This short clip is taken from, most likely, the Huntington
Bank Building along Euclid. The best part of this clip is the woman’s voice
reacting the explosions. “Holy cow,” she says. “Oh my gosh. That was crazy.”
Not as thrilling as captured-by-fans video, but thrilling
nonetheless, Disney’s behind-the-scenes featurette includes a ton of downtown
Cleveland footage. It’s worth checking out.
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