It's been almost a week since we witnessed the end of a story that began with the very first "Iron Man" in 2008 - Marvel Studios triumphantly released an EPIC CONCLUSION to their tale of heroes gathering to defeat the foes no single one could withstand... And it was the end of a journey that began with six unlikely heroes who gathered together to fight evils and helped inspire a new generation of heroes to follow in their footsteps as well.
That's as general a summary I'm going to give about "Avengers: Endgame" as anyone you can ask around that doesn't want to spoil the endgame for you, but this review literally comes days after release because this is the kind of film you need to experience firsthand. If you ever watched a movie by Marvel Studios and shared in the long entertaining journey of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the past decade, then this is the culmination of all our efforts and investment in the characters that have been brought to life from the comics and given modernized origin stories and adventures in our time today. Endgame is a direct sequel to Infinity War yes, but it is also a homage to so many past films that have come and gone - as well as a "passing of the torch" of three phases worth of Marvel Movies to the next. What comes after owes to the events depicted in this film, and though I personally did not find this finale perfect - it absolutely is a fitting finale to several story arcs that have played out, especially that of the original six Avengers.
I have seen this movie a total of four times in full and six times with sneak peeks in and out after events (suited up as Captain America in his new armored Endgame suit no less), and honestly the three hour mark is a testament to fandom, patience, and investment. Endgame cannot be viewed alone and you must have some knowledge of some past Marvel films - particularly the ones handled by The Russo Brothers, aka the most invested directors who themselves are comic book fans and have directed some of the best in the latter two Captain America films and of course Infinity War. If you have your Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor backgrounds intact as well as the history of Earth's Mightiest Heroes in the MCU - then you are good to go. Prepare for an emotional ride - this is the tale of how superheroes rallied after defeat and did whatever it takes to win the day and avenge the fallen.
SPOILERS FOLLOW, SO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Movie Review: Avengers: Endgame
Directed By: The Russo Brothers
Released By: Marvel Studios
Taking place weeks after the end of Infinity War as well as FIVE YEARS following the events of that prologue sequence, Avengers: Endgame finds Earth's Mightiest Heroes defeated and trying to move on from the events of The Snap by Thanos' use of the Infinity Stones to wipe out half of existence. All hope of reviving their lost comrades and love ones seems lost, until the return of Scott Lang/ Ant-Man gives the heroes a solution to undoing the decimation caused by The Mad Titan. With the aid of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, the returning Hawkeye, and other survivors - the heroes travel back to their storied past to make a grand heist that will determine their future, and it will prove to be the Endgame for some of them willing to make sacrifices when all is said and done.
Well... This was a film with A LOT to take in.
22 films now and going strong, Marvel Studios has free reign to do whatever they please in telling their stories and concluding their arcs - and Endgame is a good example of a film attempting EPIC with both large doses of success and some understandable connivances and head scratches thanks to the interpretation of "Time Travel" and use of the Quantum Realm introduced in the Ant-Man films. True enough - it is a convenient Macguffin that gives the heroes the chance to undo all the damage Thanos has done to the world, but it also plays against established conventions some of us film viewers have experienced with other time-travelling movies - particularly Terminator, Back To The Future, and Hot Tub Time Machine (Which Don Cheadle's War Machine and Paul Rudd's Ant-Man reference to hilarious effect). While it certainly plays against the rules, the MCU is doing what needs to be done and there is a story told in the long three hours this film's runtime has. It's nice to revisit some set pieces of the past - and now we know why some leaked BTS images and photos bringing us back to the events of the first Avengers' film exist. I'll just leave it at that without spoiling the surprises - but yes TIME TRAVEL. Prepare yourselves.
As far as the characters go - we focus on the original six Avengers primarily, and that's a good thing because this is the last contracted appearance for some of these folks. Robert Downey Jr./ Iron Man in particular has served as the Godfather of the MCU and has steered the course of these movies since 2008. He doesn't miss a beat and if you are a fan of this particular interpretation of the Armored Avenger and Tony Stark, Endgame delivers one of the best performances and arcs of the character. I myself subscribe to the journey Tony has been and how he emerges here when all is said and done will be an important mark in the character. He is literally IRON MAN.
Then we come to the heart and soul of the team - Steve Rogers/ Captain America as portrayed by the charismatic and charming Chris Evans. As the Star Spangled Man with a Plan, Evan's Cap has rode through history as a Man from World War II to a Man Out Of Time, and we have seen that hero grow past fighting wars to fighting for what's right as he saw the times change and evil take on different faces. I for one am happy The Russos handled Cap and his story arc since "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (which is still my FAVORITE MCU FILM EVER), and the growth there and journey our shieldwielding hero has taken has impacted my fandom for the character all the more. You will be rooting for Steve Rogers from start to finish, and Endgame shows why he is such an inspiring figure.
And of course there is Thor - who underwent SIGNIFICANT CHANGES since "Thor: Ragnarok" and "Avengers: Infinity War", and now it kinda comes full circle here. I won't say how he changes... But it was pretty unexpected and different to the point where I found it both funny and sad at the same time. Chris Hemsworth has portrayed the God of Thunder through many facets of his journey as a hero, and this is no different.
Scarlett Johansson and Mark Ruffalo also see growth and evolution with their hero personas of Black Widow and Hulk - they have much of a stake and parts to play as any of the heroes in this film. The most satisfying return of course is Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/ Hawkeye - who loses his family to the snap and becomes a wanderless mercenary known as "Ronin" (a nod to another comic identity he took up as seen in "New Avengers"), until he is found by Natasha and pulled back to help in the cause to undo what Thanos did. Then of course we have the surviving heroes in War Machine, Ant-Man, Rocket, and Nebula joining them in the fight, as well as the newly introduced Captain Marvel.
Each of these characters have their moments, as do Thanos and the rest of the villains who have times to shine. It's the privilege of having invested in world building that Marvel Studios has that makes this possible in the first place without investing a lot of time to explain everyone else's story because it's been already told and explained in past films. Of course I cannot state how awesome the action scenes are. There's so many moments crammed into this film, ESPECIALLY THE FINAL ACT, that I cannot describe because it would be a disservice to how EPIC it is experiencing it in the cinema. Time travel and Macguffins aside, they are the reason Endgame is raking it big in the box office. In its first opening weekend it trumped past the $1.2 Billion Box Office, and continues to grow strong as you are reading this.
So without a doubt - ENDGAME IS EPIC. I am glad I got to be part of this journey that Marvel Studios has brought to our shores and theaters worldwide, and I can only imagine what else the future might bring. Despite all the convoluted moments and stuff I wish happened differently, there is RESPECT to Kevin Feige and Team Marvel for what they have done and accomplished. The Endgame accomplished its goal, and it will forever be remembered as one of the greats. WATCH IT.
Rating - 5/5 or PERFECTLY BALANCED
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