It has taken 11 years to reach the point where Avengers: Endgame picks up. It is one of, if not the most ambitious cinematic triumphs in history and every second of the three hours running time was filled with emotional discoveries, light chuckles, stunning CGI, fantastic acting and a gripping story that left me in awe. I cried for about thirty minutes near the end of the film, ugly cried for another 10, wiped my tears and cried on the way home again. It was not only the emotional rollercoaster during the film that heightened my emotions but everything the Marvel Cinematic Universe stood for came to an end when those credits rolled and it is an overwhelming experience of the likes I have never had before. This, coming from someone who could not stand sitting through the films a few years back.
It is rare to see an entertainment medium surpass its expectations and fans all over the world have put the Avengers: Endgame on a pedestal with some near impossible-to-reach hopes. This is a case where something indeed checks all the boxes and delivered on everything you expected from the film.
Avengers: Endgame picks up right after the events of Infinity War and Captain Marvel’s post-credit scene. Thanos has destroyed half of all living life in the universe and only a few Avengers remain on Earth to pick up the pieces from the damage that has been done. Captain America, Iron Man, Blackwidow, Hulk, Thor, Rocket and a few others struggle to come to terms with the loss of not only their loved ones, but their lives as the film touches on the world, now with half the population.
Throughout the film, you truly get the sense of a world beyond superheroes, where now that things have gone south, there is nothing left for these powerful people and they try and live a simple life, as much as possible. Marvel has imagined a half living and breathing world with the uttermost detail to a few dialogue lines mentioning people cleaning up harbours and roads to try to return the cities and ports back to normal.
With half the population gone, so is half of the acclaimed Avengers. The film starts with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) lost in space, thin and weak as he has been up there for twenty-one days.
Doing what Avengers do best, they need to try and save the world and restore it to the way it once was. The plan they come up with is to track down Thanos, recover all the Infinity Stones and use them together to revert the actions and bring back all lost life to the universe. The main plan is quite extravagant but you will witness it for yourself. Just know, that it is cleverly thought out and plays out brilliantly. Out of all 14 million ways the story could have gone, the path Marvel went down was genius and makes for an epic story.
Of course, it is a Marvel film so expect the action we all love. My heart was racing for most of the film and the final showdown lasts close to an hour and it is just one nail-biting scene after another. The movie does not let up at all and the entire reel was just one gorgeous CGI extravaganza after another. I could sit and watch some snippets over and over again as the sheer size of it all really puts the fight into perspective. It is the Endgame and it had to be the biggest and most elaborate showdown ever in a Marvel film and you will experience it in all its glory.
Marvel has spent quite a lot of time on its characters and Endgame does not waste any time giving you introductions. You need to know who they are and brush up on their films and past. Avengers: Endgame expects you to know these things and in order to enjoy it to its fullest, it is recommended. The film throws some jokes here and there and they mostly rely on you knowing the history of the said character. That being said, the film’s comedy is the weakest in the series with a lot of the jokes just not landing or perhaps I was too focused on the emotional side of things to open myself up to them.
Avengers: Endgame’s cast does a great job bringing the universe to life through every moment on screen. Brie Larson is not as fantastic as she was in Captain Marvel, and her lack of screen time is questionable but it is great to see her with the crew. Hulk, on the other hand, steals the show and without spoiling anything, you need to pay attention to his mannerisms as he often had me questioning “is this really happening”. He is also probably the funniest of all cast members in the film and one of my favourites.
With the film coming in at three hours, you would expect some lows but Avengers: Endgame had next to none. The film carries itself throughout every minute and the pacing is perfection. The three hours flew by faster than any other film of the same length and I can understand why it was so long. It was a case of every scene being of utter importance and it works flawlessly.
Avengers: Endgame is a masterpiece. It not only reflects 11 years of a story in the making but it ties together everything we have ever questioned about the characters and plotlines in the series. It is sad and you will want to hug the person sitting next to you not only for the emotional stress the film puts on you, but because when those credits roll, you will know that it is over. You won’t have any questions as the films just wraps up oh-so-beautifully. Whatever Marvel plans next, I am ready to wait another 11 years to see it all end as beautifully as Endgame does.
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