I always saw it more like Loki just had something to prove. Almost like he was convincing himself that humans were ants by conquering their world with ease (in theory). I think it does come down to an ego thing, where ultimately he is trying to prove he is far superior compared to everyone else. There are multiple examples throughout the film, one being his confidence in his ability to manipulate the avengers, and another being his inability to realize that black widow was trying to get information out of him in their 1 on 1 talk (it was pretty obvious she was faking, and I think it was meant to be obvious to show how Loki's ego was clouding his judgment).

The more I think about this movie, the more of a problem I have with the plot. Especially the part where the doctor programs in a failsafe into the machine he used to open the portal, as well as the fact that all the aliens just seemingly died after the mothership got destroyed.

After watching the movie again yesterday with my family, I think I understand the Banner/Hulk relationship now and why the Hulk seems more compliant at the end of the film. (I also realized how good the 3D was. I had only seen the 2D version before this)

I think that the more Banner resists the Hulk, the more the Hulk rages and is uncontroled. However, once Banner willingly gives in to the Hulk at the end, the more control he ends up having. He told Cap that the trick was he was always angry. I think that means that he's always angry with himself, at who he is; and he's truly angry at what the Hulk has done to his life.

Throughout the movie Banner is acting like Adam Sandler in Anger Management. Constantly angry but fighting to stay in control and putting on a front of pleasantness. Trying to convince himself and others that he's not angry. The pent up anger causes him to explode when it reaches critical mass. Where as, like Adam Sandlers character, once he embraces the anger, it reveals itself in more controlled and constructive ways. I think one of the key comments is at the end of his and Starks conversation where Banner says "You may not enjoy it when it happens." and Stark responds, "You may find that you do." And when you see the Hulk at the end of the movie, he just seems to be having fun. "Hulk... Smash" and the Hulk smiles and tears things up. He punches Thor in jest. He plays rag doll with Loki and quips at the end "Puny god." He's just having fun being the Hulk.

Just a thought.

Of course the real hero of the film is Mark Ruffalo's agent for getting him third billing considering he was making his debut to the franchise.

Hawkeye is a highly trained super spy and silent assassin with a million ways to stop or kill you or steal your secrets before you even know it! Plus he's totally boning Black Widow!

STOP ACTING LIKE HAWKEYE IS AQUAMAN! HE DOENS'T HAVE SEX WITH CARP!