Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.
ExCel, London
November 30th 2018 – March 31st 2019
by Alex Plant
Marvel’s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. is a temporary pop-up exhibition at London’s ExCel, and taken at face value, it’s pretty impressive. Guests are invited to become agents of the Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training and Tactical Intelligence Operative Network, don’t you know) by former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Maria Hill (portrayed by Colbie Smulders, as in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films). Inside there are exhibits devoted to all of your favourite Avengers (yes, that’s right, even Hawkeye), many of which are interactive. Guests can test their strength against other Avengers, try and fail to lift Thor’s Hammer, and take a simulated flight in a virtual Iron Man suit. It’s certainly not an exhibition about the making of the movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and instead treats it all as if it were real.
It’s very easy to approach things like this with a degree of cynicism, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have an ear-to-ear grin from the moment the first doorway opened and I saw Iron Man’s Hulkbuster suit off in the distance. Getting to pose behind Captain America’s shield produced a similar effect in this soon-to-be-31-year-old man-child. Some of the interactive elements are a lot better than others and it would have been lovely to see a few more cute little details, like the helpful ants that lead guests toward the Ant-Man display.
The biggest criticism that I could level at the experience is that it’s possible to get through it all quite quickly. The “mission” guests undertake before leaving is a little lame, but adds a nice bit of punctuation to the experience. The whole experience certainly hints toward the potential for a more permanent type of attraction that Disney might build in one of their theme parks. The helpful and knowledgeable staff add to the experience and, though I’d suggest it’s better suited to younger recruits, there’s definitely some fun to be had for adults too.
