Avengers: Endgame

2019’s The Avengers: Endgame, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo.

Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Karen Gillan, Paul Rudd, Jeremy Renner, Brie Larson, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, John Slattery, Tilda Swinton, Rene Russo, Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Sebastian Stan, Jon Favreau, Hayley Atwall, Taika Waititi, Anthony Mackie, Tom Holland, Tessa Thompson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Redford, Frank Grillo, Maximiliano Hernández, Linda Cardalellini, Chris Pratt, Evangeline Lilly, Chadwick Boseman, Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, and Tom Hiddleston.

What is it about?

Avengers: Endgame is the second part of a story (following Avengers: Infinity War) about the galaxy’s super powered defenders’ quest to thwart the plans of ultra villain Thanos. At the end of Infinity War, we last saw Thanos being successful in his plans to harness all 6 of the Infinity Stones- and exterminate half of the universe. Reeling from the trauma of losing so much, the survivors (lead by Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, and Chris Evans’ Captain America) cobble together and begin scheming how to even the score, and get back that magic that they once had. Will they be successful against the powerful mad titan, or will he outsmart them to doom the rest of the survivors?

Why is it worth seeing?

Avengers: Endgame is the 10^th film in the Phase 3 stage of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which is parent company Disney’s unprecedented corporate franchise universe of domination. With a year taking place between the releases of Infinity War and Endgame, a substantial amount of hype has overtaken the first installment’s previously unprecedented heights. Over the course of 11 years (starting with 2008’s Iron Man), Marvel’s episodic connected universe style of story telling lead to 21 interconnected films, setting the table for the final course that is presented here. As a result, it’s can’t miss viewing with a serious side of FOMO (otherwise known as box office domination). One of the special things about the MCU is what critic Scott Tobias refers to as Marvel’s “high floor, low ceiling”, in that Marvel might not make flat out masterpieces, but never lays out stinkers either. The results are what are essentially a number of prequels and sequels that are, considering Hollywood’s history with franchises (take solid idea, photocopy it into oblivion, repeat), better than they really need to be (just ask Fox and DC).

The good news is that the hype is justified, as Endgame offers something that none of the previous 21 films could- resolution. One of the more successful (and possibly cynical) strategies of the MCU was that each film was simultaneously an event of itself- but also a teaser for the next mega event. While this is hardly the last we’ll see of the MCU, there are character arcs that are completed, and characters who are… concluded. One of the flaws of the previous film(s) was a lack of stakes. It was always kind of odd how with so much violence and destruction being branded about by these mega creatures that there was a lack of consequence to proceedings involving guns, lasers, and a lot of kicks and punches. Not so much here, and it’s the better for it. Now if they could just get the respective character’s powers straight (and more importantly how they relate to each other).

Writers Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus (of the Captain America trilogy, Thor: Dark World, and Infinity War) continue on with the unique Marvel banter and sight gags. They have no issue being self referential, as characters reflect on how they’re riffing on Robert Zemeckis classics from the 80’s, and even dive deeper into the previous films’ settings to produce a fusion of old and new that will drive fanboys to salivation, and logicians to insanity. They also continue to show characters growing into, and sometimes out of, themselves, for alternately humorous and powerful results. More importantly, unlike the previous film, which propelled itself from place to place and character to character breathlessly, they aren’t afraid to consider taking their time. Oh, there’s a LOT of action, particularly in the film’s climatic scene. But as always in the MCU, the strongest scenes are when the characters get together, and chat. The first third of the movie, and quieter parts of the last third, reinforce that. It may not always flow, but when it hits, the beats are that much stronger.


Directors Anthony and Joe Russo return to the fold (Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, and Avengers: Infinity War), and cap off a career in the MCU that will certainly give them the keys to the blockbuster kingdom. Once again, in a movie overstuffed with characters, with too much ground to cover (and questionable science and logistics of scale), they nimbly hold the enterprise together and keep the phenomenal chemistry of its stars zipping along. Indeed, for a universe where half of life has been wiped out, it has no qualms interrupting a mission to show a character humming along tunelessly to his headphones while being followed by others, or to make fun of Captain America’s ghastly costume from Avengers. As always, they keep the missions zipping along, even with the film’s ambition trumping coherence in a climax of Ready Player One proportions.


For some actors’ last time, not enough can be said for the performances of the film. With Marvel always having success with the casting of their respective roles, it really is something watching the actors play through their narratives and cap off careers that have been launched, maintained, and even reinvigorated. While some Oscar winners have been squandered (hello Gwyneth and Natalie), and there are too many characters to each get the burn that they deserve, Evan’s Captain America, Hemsworth’s Thor, and in particular, Downey Jr’s Tony Stark are some of the greatest characters ever created (honourable mention to Ruffalo’s Hulk, Cooper’s voice work as a cybernetic raccoon, and Renner’s very vulnerable Hawkeye). If for no other reason, Endgame is the place to watch their suns set as they go in their respective directions. The box office numbers and positive critical reception will reflect one’s love of sunsets.

Rating:

4/5

Trailer: Click Here.