Spoiler Free Thoughts On Avengers Endgame!

Marvel’s Avengers Endgame is the 22nd film and a great summation for everything that has come before it. The film is 3 hours long but only because the filmmakers really wanted to be able to reference as much of the Marvel Cinematic Universe catalogue as they could. And those filmmakers are the brothers Joe and Anthony Russo who have directed some of Marvel’s biggest hits (Captain America The Winter Soldier, Captain America Civil War, and Avengers Infinity War). And the writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely are no strangers to the MCU either with their credits which include Captain America The First Avenger, Captain America The Winter Soldier, Captain America Civil War, Thor The Dark World, and Avengers Infinity War. Together they have crafted an unforgettable and well thought out film that is the biggest chapter yet (if not ever) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

This team of filmmakers seems to keep upping the ante after each new film. Winter Soldier was one of the best action films in the past 20 years with incorporation of practical stunts and effects seamlessly blended with the ever-advancing CG. Civil War became epic for being able to fit so many main characters on the screen at once. Infinity War brought a new standard to the term epic having so many characters from the various Marvel franchises spread on different planets doing different things attempting to take down a common foe; a battle fought on many fronts thus earning the title Infinity War. Nothing was going to be bigger or more epic than that. And yet. Avengers Endgame makes the stakes more real because of the loss at the end of Infinity War. And this is one of few times I have to say that a previous film is required viewing. Everything that happens in Infinity War must be seen and known before watching Avengers Endgame.

This is the part of the review where would I talk about new and returning cast members. I cannot do that here. Yeah some of it borders spoiler territory but its more so that there is just a lot of ground covered and thus a lot of characters and actors. I will say that we have the original six Avengers back together as part of the primary ensemble. While that’s no surprise, the way each of these characters was used and the arc they were given was a nice surprise. They have wonderful moments that either show or grow their characters in quiet and poignant ways. Each of these of these characters has been doing something since Thanos snapped his fingers at the end of Infinity War and each actor is given their chance to shine. Chris Evans as Captain America remains the real heart of the team as he continues to be the stalwart and earnest hero of yesteryear who was always a little sad but now that grief has made him a man who refuses to be pushed to any more limits as he asserts the vow, “Whatever it takes.”

Academy Award winner Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye no longer has time for levity as his grief has driven him to extreme violence. Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow has shown her character growth from being the stoic assassin looking for redemption and evolving into a caring desperate for hope. Mark Ruffalo as Hulk puts it best himself as he states that he used to see Hulk as the problem but now believes him to be the solution to many problems by focusing on harnessing the brains of Banner and strength of Hulk. Robert Downey Jr. started this whole thing as Iron Man with his need to protect the world from all manners of evil and is able to find peace in his aftermath. But my favorite arc is Chris Hemsworth as Thor whose performance has turned Thor from a bolstering hero to a tragic figure that still somehow manages to make bring the humor in his incredibly sad story.

Avengers Endgame manages to be tragic, sentimental, hopeful, exciting, comedic, fun, and overall just fulfilling on every level. A perfect conclusion to this current chapter in one of the most financially and critically successful film franchises of all time.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME opens in theaters everywhere on April 26th or tonight! Hope you got your tickets because you don’t want to miss the movie of the year!

 

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