MOVIE REVIEW: Avengers Endgame – end of a MARVELous era
Movie title: Avengers: Endgame
Date released: 24 April 2019
Rating: M
The most anticipated super hero movie of the decade is in cinemas and it’s breaking box office records left and right. Thousands have flocked to see Avengers: Endgame, the thrilling conclusion to the 22 film story in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) where heroes have one final chance to save the universe.
Released on the same weekend as the epic ‘Battle of Winterfell’ Game of Thrones episode, science fiction and fantasy fans world wide enjoyed a weekend of extreme entertainment and edge-of-your-seat suspense!
The long awaited finale delves into love, loss, friendship and loyalty in over three hours of epic entertainment. Years after genocidal alien tyrant Thanos used the infinity stones to ‘disintegrate’ (read blow into dust and disappear) half of life in the universe, earth is struggling to repair and the rag tag band of remaining Avengers seize an opportunity to reverse the damage.
How, is a more complex and spoiler-filled explanation. Suffice to say the journey includes time travel, more human and intergalactic heroes than ever before (including the fabulous Captain Marvel – see previous movie review here), intense battles (of wit, strength and will) coupled with plot twists, sacrifice and humour. The story touches all the significant characters and reengages many of their pasts, testing each of them in different ways.
A particularly poignant moment is when Captain America (a mere human mortal) is able to lift and use Thor’s hammer – only the worthy can, and so far only Thor has – to fight Thanos and protect others. It highlights the character evolution we see in each of the Avengers, most of whom look worse for wear having failed in the previous battle with Thanos and havinglost most of their friends and families.
As decisions are made and paths trodden the emotionally impactful ending is fitting for the heroes with whom we have grown, bled and picked ourselves up…now one last time.
This movie was powerfully entertaining from minute 1 to minute 301. I tested my reaction with avid and new Marvel fans and the responses were consistent – it was exciting! The stories of love and sacrifice were woven through laugh-out-loud moments of both predictable and surprising comedy – fair warning tears-will be shed.
One reason I enjoy this genre of movie is the visuals that so comprehensively transport you to this detailed alternative reality. The spectacular special effects in Endgame make you believe you’re fighting alongside Iron Man, in the group of heroic female warriors on a mission or leaping through the air with Spiderman. The sheer scale of the scenes, number of extras and detail of graphics was mind blowing.
In preparation for the release new and old fans have been watching (or re-watching) the previous 21 MCU movies to understand the character development and histories that have led to this ‘endgame’. Inconsistency frustrates me but I’m a sucker for a good story linkage and I particularly enjoyed the tributes paid to some of the previous MCU films cementing scenes and events as important to the final story.
As Peter, Debruge from Variety puts it ‘If “Infinity War” was billed as a must-see event for all moviegoers, whether or not they attended a single Marvel movie prior, then “Endgame” is the ultimate fan-service follow up’.
The Rotten Tomatoes (collation of film critic opinions) rating of 95% – a near unheard of score – speaks for itself. The third most expensive film ever made, Marvel Studios has more than made back their investment so far as Endgame has grossed over $2.3 billion globally and is the second highest grossing film of all time.
Does the name mean no more Avengers films, you ask? It looks that way, but never fear there a many MUC super hero movies in production to fill in the historic blanks such as my personal favourites: the second Black Panther (and other potential spin offs), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 and Black Window (a prequel, development story). Check out a complete list here: http://time.com/5167535/upcoming-marvel-movies/
A bit about Verity…
As you may be able to tell, she’s an avid sci-fi / fantasy fan who, when not travelling to random places or exercising, fills her weekends watching and reading everything from political biographies to trashy space operas (a random term for shows like The Expanse – don’t ask her why). Working with clients to solve organisational challenges and change behaviours pays her bills. She has degrees in communications and other random topics and is excited to be able to put some of that theory to use when writing a review – albeit with some additional humour, personal opinion and a sprinkle of feminist bent!