Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (PG, 2008)

NEXT AVENGERS: HEROES OF TOMORROW is the fifth in a series of animated films based on Marvel Comics, and this one picks up after Ultron has killed almost all of the original Avengers. Their children were whisked off by Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, (voiced by Tom Kane) and isolated from danger in a biodome in the Antarctic. Now, 12 years later, Ultron and his robot armies have taken control of half of planet Earth. Through a series of unfortunate events, the Next Avengers' secret location is revealed, and the neophyte superheroes must defend themselves and fight off an army of Iron Avengers, robotic copies of their own parents. They are joined by a young Avenger named Hawkeye (Adrian Petriw) who was mistakenly left behind to fend for himself.

For fans of the comic book genre, Next Avengers is a rollicking, fast-paced tale that will entertain adults and kids hardy enough for the nonstop cartoon violence. The individual young Avengers have distinct personalities and hybrid skills handed down from their super-parents, so those familiar with the older generation of Marvel heroes should appreciate the continuity. As seriously as these young teens take themselves, they have grown up as a family and no one is above good-natured ribbing, lending a welcome comic breather to some of the more intense scenes.

Studio: Lionsgate
Director: Jay Oliva
Cast: Fred Tatasciore, Ken Kramer, Tom Kane
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 73 minutes
Theatrical release: September 2, 2008
DVD release: September 2, 2008
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: sci-fi action violence and some mild language.