Not since anything labeled “STAR WARS” has a film been as widely anticipated as AVENGERS: ENDGAME. That’s quite a feat and merits recognition simply for creating that sort of hunger within an audience.
Similar to my experience with any STAR WARS film, AVENGERS: ENDGAME has been shrouded in secrecy with Disney and Marvel Studios keeping a tight lid on the events and asking people like me not to give away anything. That sometimes make things a little difficult, but I promise to keep this review squeaky clean from plot talk and focus on reaction.
First reaction: (Outside of bladder pain) Success! Yes, it’s flawed and as Part 2, AVENGERS: ENDGAME had no chance of living up to what Part 1, AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, set up before it. But ENDGAME is a fun, satisfying ride culminating everything that has happened before it within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
After the philosophically evil Thanos (Josh Brolin) snapped his fingers turning half the universe (and half of the Avengers) into dust, the remaining team must… ummm… Yes, most of us can assume what needs to be done, but just to keep everything on the up and up spoiler free zone, I’ll just say, they need to resolve the conflict. How that will be done is the tricky part, but also part of the fun. As a reminder to who was left behind: Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), War Machine (Don Cheadle) Nebula (Karen Gillan), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and while they missed out on the fight in INFINITY WAR, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Ant-man (Paul Rudd), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) all play an integral role this time around. All are scattered about with a few left in fairly dire situations and are all handling the loss and guilt differently, kicking off the film in an obviously more dramatic fashion.
As I shuffled and limped my way out of the theater, directly into the restroom, I felt astonishingly satisfied. However, not quite as satisfied as I would have if I left more quickly, seeing as it is the first time we did not receive any mid or end credit sequence. Perhaps the sweet relief had something to do with it, but I am truly in awe of what the MCU has created with now 22 films tied together. While some are more essential than others, they all are required viewing to appreciate the steps and scope it has taken to get to this moment beginning with 2008’s IRON MAN. Obviously, some of the character drama, storylines, or jokes work better than others. Nevertheless, with so many characters that we all adore and feel connected toward, ENDGAME has somehow connected it all, calling back to major moments, and providing closure to character arcs and story. It’s a masterful accomplishment that is nothing short of extraordinary.
I feel like the old Chris Farley show sketch from Saturday Night Live where all I want to do is say, “Remember, that one time when (insert Avenger’s name) did that cool/funny thing? That was pretty awesome.” Like all the best superhero movies, AVENGERS: ENDGAME is full of “hero moments” that will have audiences cheering with glee. Creating a world where all these characters can co-exist with distinct personalities who we care about and deliver big “wow” moments, the MCU has a done a remarkable job realizing what it takes to be successful.
I so badly want to reminisce about specifics, what I liked – surprisingly a lot of moments that dealt with Hawkeye or Ant-Man – and didn’t like – the three hour film could definitely be tighter at the beginning and I have a certain quibble with a scene that I believe defies the rules that the world set in place. However, ultimately, I laughed, I cried, I got chills, and overall just had a blast.
