Title:Â Avengers: Infinity War
Release Date:Â April 27, 2018
Studio: Marvel Studios
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo
Release Format: TheatricalÂ
Running Time: 149 minutes
It’s difficult to make something that is equally emotional, hilarious, and action-packed without being too much to handle. However, this is just one of the many things that Avengers: Infinity War does incredibly well. From the effects to rounding up the ragtag group of Marvel heroes, the Russo brothers knocked this much-anticipated film out of the park. You’ll laugh; you’ll cry; but, more importantly, you’ll be begging for more by the end of it!
Despite being in separate areas of time and space, the Avengers come together with other Marvel characters, like the Guardians of the Galaxy, Dr. Strange, Spider-Man, and Black Panther, to defeat Thanos. Bringing all of these characters together is no easy task, but it is one handled with genuineness and grace in Infinity War. Each character is definitely given their moment to shine, and no one is more important than anyone else. The various heroes come together seamlessly, and the multiple storylines move along nicely. Whether it’s Tony Stark and Dr. Strange trading witty quips or the women of the Marvel universe coming together to fight a common enemy, these interactions are the movies strongest asset.
More importantly, the newest Marvel movie definitely shows the evolution of some of our favorite characters. They have continued to grow and evolve as characters as we have moved through the Marvel cinematic universe. A grieving Thor shows a new side of himself as he travels with Rocket Raccoon and Groot; Tony Stark continues to battle the balance between family and being a superhero; Steve Rodgers struggles with doing the right thing without his Captain America persona; Bruce Banner battles with his inner Hulk after being away. These struggles continue to humanize the heroes, which is one of the best parts of the Marvel universe.
However, this humanization doesn’t stop at just the heroes. Thanos is arguably the best villain in the universe to date, and his motives aren’t all bad necessarily. At the heart of it, Thanos wants to eliminate half of the universe’s population to ensure a better life for those remaining. While we can understand his ultimate motive, Thanos is not a force to be reckoned with. And Josh Brolin’s performance is just as grand as the character himself. His mo-cap performance will definitely go down as one of the best, and I can’t wait to see how the character continues to evolve and change.
However, my only real complaint comes along with Thanos. He is such an incredible villain that his small group of cronies pale in comparison. The brief introduction of the four new baddies is a little much to handle amidst all of the already established characters. To be honest, they mostly feel like filler compared to some of the other characters, and it feels like their only real use was to create some epic fight scenes. They come off as rather bland, and in turn, were slightly disappointing characters.
Speaking of epic fight scenes, the action sequences and the special effects were just as spectacular as they usually are. In Avengers: Infinity War, the stakes are very real and very high, and this comes across in every battle within the movie. Despite the fun and tears, the audience never forgets how this will be the most important victory (or loss) the Avengers will ever have. The different strengths and powers the heroes have come together in a way that truly utilizes their best features, and it makes the action sequences incredibly satisfying to watch.
Last but not least, all of these battles and internal struggles lead up to a heartbreaking cliffhanger. The ending has left some fans frustrated, confused, and totally ready for more. While it isn’t a necessarily happy ending, the ending has left the MCU completely open to take the series of films in various directions. And, as unhappy as it is, it is still a somewhat satisfying ending as well. But it will be interesting to see how this ending affects (if at all) Ant Man and Wasp. However, I am ecstatic to see how the film continues to play out in Avengers 4, which is set to release some time next year!
Verdict: Avengers: Infinity War is full of action, laughs, and tears. Most of our favorite Marvel characters are seamlessly introduced and work together to defeat Thanos, one of the best villains in the MCU to date. The CGI and action sequences are pretty flawless, and it will keep you begging for more from start to finish. My one and only complaint is the introduction of some new characters were a little too much to handle amongst all the other craziness. But, with that being said, this is a stellar piece of filmmaking, and I can’t wait for Avengers 4 next year!
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