Film review: Go celebrate with your family all that is good, virtuous, fun and happy.
It has finally happened this weekend. An epic saga which began in 2008 with Iron Man, has reached its conclusion, spanning 22 films and billions of dollars at the box office.
It would be an understatement to say that Avengers: Endgame is one of the most anticipated movies of all time in cinematic history. It is a worldwide cultural event – chock full of emotion and investment of hours and hours in the story of a group of superheroes seeking to stop a supervillain from destroying the world, while dealing with their own personal demons and tragedies. It is this very facet of humanity, combined with action, which has made the Avengers such a successful phenomenon over the past 11 years. Each superhero, while virtuous, has his or her flaws, making them extremely relatable to each and every audience member.
It is also worth applauding that there has not been a single flop in the whole series and each individual character film can stand alone and at the same time be a contributor to the broader Avengers storyline. The consistency and simplicity of the story lines, and relatability of the characters, have all been the key to the franchise’s success.
This weekend, we saw the release of the final chapter of the Avengers story in Avengers: Endgame. It all came down to this, and fans have been waiting keenly, especially since last year, for this concluding note. With such mammoth expectations, does the film deliver? Here is my take without spoilers…
Endgame picks up exactly from where the previous installment, Infinity War, concluded. Our heroes are seeking a way to defeat supervillain Thanos (Josh Brolin) from annihilating half of life on Earth. Do they succeed? Does everyone survive? Or do we lose some of those whom we root for and admire? To find the answers to these questions, one must watch Endgame.
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From a performance standpoint, these actors have been doing these roles for so long, they have essentially become one and the same. Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Scarlet Johannson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Hulk), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Don Cheadle (War Machine), Paul Rudd (Ant Man), Brie Larson (Captain Marvel), Karen Gillan (Nebula) and Bradley Cooper (Rocket) are all excellent in their roles.
It is hard to say that any one performance was better than the other, but if I were to pinpoint an actor in whom I have seen an evolution in performance, it would definitely be Chris Evans as Captain America. Evans has transformed into a fine actor from his Perfect Score days and lends a subtle, powerful and touching performance in this film as Captain America. I will also single out Mark Ruffalo and Paul Rudd in this film. They bring the house down with their wisecracks and humorous performances throughout the film and bring levity to what is an otherwise tense, emotional and intense film. Josh Brolin is solid as Thanos as well but I am still not sold on Brie Larson’s interpretation of Captain Marvel as a cocky character. Let’s see how it pans out in the future of the franchise.
The film is three hours long, but rarely do you feel its length. The proceedings move at a fast pace and nothing drags. Kudos to the editor for keeping the movie moving and providing fans with a substantial length that they can enjoy.
Anthony and Joe Russo have directed several films now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and they know their job well. The direction is flawless and they prove once again that they were the perfect choice to take charge of the most important films in the MCU.
I wanted to focus particularly on the writers for this film – Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely. They have been the primary writers for the movies in the MCU, however this time they did something so extraordinary, beautiful and wonderful with their scripting which ultimately makes all the difference in the final product. What could have been a straightforward action film that simply takes the movie from point A to point B, the writers have crafted specific situations related to specific aspects of the franchise which bring a sense of closure to things that our characters and audiences have thought about for years. These moments have tons of heart and are what elevate the movie. You will cry, guaranteed, during at least 6 moments in the movie. The writers truly understood each and every Avenger very deeply – from their motivations, to what makes them happy and what brings them grief – and they have wonderfully amalgamated that to create a touching ending that audiences will debate and discuss for years to come. If the writers had failed on this movie then not only the film, but the entire franchise would come crashing down. Thankfully, they have accomplished the seemingly impossible – an interesting, complex yet all-encompassing story that delivers a truly satisfying ending.
I also will make the point that the climax of this movie alone is worth the price of admission. There are so many clap worthy, as well as tear-jerking, moments here that it is unbelievable. Must be experienced!
Did I find any flaws in the movie? Perhaps only the underutilization of some characters, but that is it.
All in all, I give Endgame a 4.5/5. Go celebrate with your family all that is good, virtuous, fun and happy. But most of all, go celebrate the contribution of 22 films, 20 heroes and the one and only Stan Lee to the world of comics, cinema and popular culture which will last us for a lifetime.