10 Controversial Movie Moments of 2012 That Shocked Us All

10. Agent Coulson Dies - The Avengers

Agent Coulson was the likeable face of S.H.I.E.L.D. who became a more prevalent presence within the Marvel Cinematic Universe the closer we got to The Avengers actually coming to fruition. Primarily pitched as comic relief - and brilliant comic relief he is - he nevertheless also turns out to be the emotional driving force that compels the superhero supergroup to actually get along and fight against Loki as a cohesive unit. After he is stabbed through the chest by Loki and slowly dies, Nick Fury manages to cleverly re-purpose that death as the cathartic push the heroes need to realise the enormity of their mission, though naturally, the Internet exploded with ire as soon as they had seen the film. An adamant refusal to believe that Coulson had died was the most prominent statement, angry at Joss Whedon again building up a likeable supporting character, only to off him. The announcement that he will be somehow appearing in the upcoming S.H.I.E.L.D. show further muddied the waters - will it be a flashback or not? - and frankly, if Marvel do backtrack and reveal that he didn't die, it will be disappointing and somewhat dilute the strongest emotional beat of an excellent movie.
 
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Frequently sleep-deprived film addict and video game obsessive who spends more time than is healthy in darkened London screening rooms. Follow his twitter on @ShaunMunroFilm or e-mail him at shaneo632 [at] gmail.com.