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Avengers Infinity War

Avengers Infinity War is a culmination of a decade’s worth of films in the MCU, and it would be very difficult, and kind of ridiculous, to review it without spoilers. If you haven’t watched this film yet, go out and do so (preferably in IMAX, since it was shot completely with IMAX 2D cameras) and come back later. SPOILERS AHEAD!!!

Thanos is finally here in all of his glory, and the Avengers have never met opposition quite like this being before. Anthony and Joe Russo take on the daunting challenge of juggling all the MCU superheroes we have grown to love, while fleshing out the character of Thanos. The Godfather of the MCU, Robert Downey Jr, is joined by Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, Scarlett Johansson, Chadwick Boseman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Tom Holland, Mark Ruffalo, and the rest of the heroes for a showdown with the mad titan.

The Russo Brothers Deliver Again

The Russo brothers treat this film almost like one big third act for the heroes, and somewhat of a backstory for Thanos. Although Thanos is the star, each hero gets their time in the spotlight, and every single one of them delivers. There’s so much emotional weight in this film that even if you know what happens in the comics, it still effectively pulls at your heart strings.

On the other hand, the humor is fresh and in line with each character’s personality. The Russo brothers group together the right characters for maximum entertainment. Personally, I enjoyed the Tony Stark and Dr. Strange pairing, as well as  Thor and Rocket, the most. It feels like Captain America doesn’t have enough screen-time, but there’s something set up in this film with his relationship to Tony Stark that will definitely have a significant impact in the next Avengers movie.

The brawls with Thanos are engrossing, and it helps that the motion capture for Thanos is fluid, preserving the illusion of this monstrous being wreaking havoc on Earth. There’s also less shaky cam  in the action scenes, so we get to see the beatdowns without getting lost. It’s a visual treat to see all of these heroes onscreen together, trying their utmost to defeat this unstoppable force. Every single action counts because it only takes one slip to lose everything.

One of the only downsides to this film is that because it feels like one big third act, it’s not a stand alone movie. Viewing the other MCU films is fairly important in order to feel the full weight of Infinity War. Additionally, the transitions from scene to scene don’t always work, and that’s probably because of the abundant amount of characters in the flick.

A Marvelous Cast

Josh Brolin plays the Biblical beast that is Thanos, and he gives a tremendous performance. Right out of the gate, Thanos pummels the Hulk so badly that he refuses to come out again for the rest of the film, and that’s Thanos without all the infinity stones. Although Thanos believes that universal genocide is necessary for peace, since he’s on a steady supply of crazy pills, he isn’t unfamiliar with love. Thanos’ love for Gamora, his stepdaughter, is what makes him a well-rounded character, in addition to his belief that he is doing what’s right for the greater good. Josh Brolin’s Thanos is the best MCU villain of all time.

There are so many characters in this film, and all the actors give outstanding performances, but the three that stand out the most are Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr. and Zoe Saldana. Hemsworth’s Thor has lost so much, and in a talk with “Captain” Rocket, you see the God of Thunder shed a tear for those he wants to avenge, including Loki. Thor has lost almost everything, but still isn’t calling it quits because that is who he is. Robert Downey Jr. delivers without fail as Tony Stark/ Iron Man. Even facing the Children of Thanos, Stark is still quick with the quips. Despite being merely human, he makes no hesitation to step up and face what’s coming, even if it’s vastly more powerful than he is. Then there’s Saldana as Gamora, who goes through a range of emotions throughout the film. She nails every emotional beat and particularly shines the brightest in her scenes with Thanos and Star Lord.

There are so many great comedic lines that hit their mark, and a handful of moments that will leave you sitting in the theater after the credits roll, collecting yourself, and it’s in huge part because of this amazing cast.

Final Thoughts

Avengers Infinity War is a worthy addition to the MCU, and it leaves us in a dark place, wanting the closure we all crave, similar to this old movie called Empire Strikes Back. Although it feels like one big third act and cannot stand on its own, the entire cast delivers, and we get the best villain in the MCU. Thanos poses an immense threat, and we really don’t know where the story will go. The last shot of Thanos sitting peacefully in some farmland with his armor decorating a scarecrow in the background is a wickedly bold ending for Part 1. Bravo Marvel.

Grade: B+