Avengers: Endgame
Directed by: Anthony & Joe Russo
Written by: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely - Based on the Marvel comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, Karen Gillan, Josh Brolin, Don Cheadle, Brie Larson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tilda Swinton, Tessa Thompson, Tom Holland, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pratt, John Slattery, Rene Russo, Jon Favreau, Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Evangeline Lilly, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Sebastian Stan, Benedict Wong, Yvette Nicole Brown, Letitia Wright, Linda Cardellini, Michael Douglas, Tom Hiddleston, Robert Redford, Frank Grillo, Hayley Atwell, Ken Jeong, Samuel L. Jackson, Natalie Portman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cobie Smulders, Ty Simpkins
Voices by: Bradley Cooper, Taika Waititi, Kerry Condon, Vin Diesel
Action/Adventure/Fantasy - 181 min Reviewed by Charlie Juhl on 25 April 2019
Written by: Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely - Based on the Marvel comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, Karen Gillan, Josh Brolin, Don Cheadle, Brie Larson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tilda Swinton, Tessa Thompson, Tom Holland, Zoe Saldana, Benedict Cumberbatch, Chris Pratt, John Slattery, Rene Russo, Jon Favreau, Chadwick Boseman, Danai Gurira, Anthony Mackie, Elizabeth Olsen, Evangeline Lilly, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, Sebastian Stan, Benedict Wong, Yvette Nicole Brown, Letitia Wright, Linda Cardellini, Michael Douglas, Tom Hiddleston, Robert Redford, Frank Grillo, Hayley Atwell, Ken Jeong, Samuel L. Jackson, Natalie Portman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Cobie Smulders, Ty Simpkins
Voices by: Bradley Cooper, Taika Waititi, Kerry Condon, Vin Diesel
Action/Adventure/Fantasy - 181 min Reviewed by Charlie Juhl on 25 April 2019
Avengers: Infinity War ended on a cliffhanger, perhaps one of the most gut-wrenching, shocking cliffhangers in recent cinematic history. Its jaw-dropping effect imprinted itself upon a generation of superhero fans who couldn't believe the directors were brave to attempt it. The world assumed Avengers: Endgame would pick up where the previous film left off, that these two movies were actually one film cut in half reminiscent of the final two Twilight and Harry Potter films. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo don’t play the bisecting game though. Infinity War and Endgame are two distinct films - they feel different, most of the characters were barely in the first one. Endgame stands on its own as a finale and it will please fans who have championed the franchise all the way into this 22nd film in the series. Storylines are wrapped up, plots are situated, some questions are even answered; however, I count myself as more of an Infinity War fan.
You know how folks are asked to name and defend their favorite Star Wars film - especially from the first trilogy? Similar questions will evolve regarding not only which Marvel film is your favorite, but which specific Avenger film, where they all come together, is your favorite. Infinity War is the more morose, the more thoughtful one for sure. Infinity War is the villain’s story and Thanos (Josh Brolin) is on a quest involving some weighty issues. Endgame is the heroes' story. When Thanos snapped his fingers and half of humanity suddenly turned to dust, it turns out it was not that arbitrary on who disappeared and who remained. The original Avengers - Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye all survive. They ushered in this Marvel universe, they will be the ones to send it on its way.
You know how folks are asked to name and defend their favorite Star Wars film - especially from the first trilogy? Similar questions will evolve regarding not only which Marvel film is your favorite, but which specific Avenger film, where they all come together, is your favorite. Infinity War is the more morose, the more thoughtful one for sure. Infinity War is the villain’s story and Thanos (Josh Brolin) is on a quest involving some weighty issues. Endgame is the heroes' story. When Thanos snapped his fingers and half of humanity suddenly turned to dust, it turns out it was not that arbitrary on who disappeared and who remained. The original Avengers - Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye all survive. They ushered in this Marvel universe, they will be the ones to send it on its way.
I appreciate a story where the heroes lose. They win so often it is jarring when the swashbuckler collapses before he reaches the goal. The heroes lost in Infinity War and the villain rode off into the sunset and what looked to be a decent retirement. Five years later, those left can still only muddle through. Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), sans any sign that he used to be America’s sweetheart, leads a self-help group of grieving survivors. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) dove into beer and a man cave. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) sorted out his Hulk problem, Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) tried to keep the group together, Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) went rogue, and everyone’s favorite, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), settled down. Nobody is winning, just doing whatever they can to get through another day.
The heroes are at rock bottom. Sure, the only way to go is up, but it feels refreshing to see the habitual winners used to accomplishing the impossible gnaw on their humble pie. Eventually, the plot kicks in, plans are made, and the action coalesces on an attempt to reverse the catastrophe. Yet, it all feels paler than Infinity War because there is no villain at the core of Endgame’s story. The heroes are doing what they can, with an overload of scientific jargon, to right wrongs, but the gravity is gone. The worst that could happen already happened. The thinking man’s villain, who does not even consider himself a villain, an evil genius with dimensions to ponder, is gone. I’ve seen Iron Man and Captain America pick out a puzzle before, but how often do you catch yourself empathizing with the universe’s most despicable being?
Time travel is only for the bravest of filmmakers. Its inherent paradoxes leave room for plot holes to emerge, and inevitably, fans will find them in Endgame and tear it apart after they’ve seen it a dozen times. Back to the Future seemed like it solved time travel's problems back in the ‘80s, but addressing the elephant in the room, our heroes discuss why the Marty McFly experience is wrong. Most of all, time travel is confusing. After Tony Stark runs some simulations and folks more or less agree on what the next steps are, the audience just has to nod and enjoy the ride - there is no genuine comprehension of how any of this works, it just does.
Wisely, enjoying Endgame does not hinge on understanding points in time and which artifact is where. It’s a time to relish watching characters we’ve grown attached to over the last decade do what they do best. Tony Stark zings his one-liners, but develops a serious side. Captain America is as earnest as ever, but finds time to make jokes at his own expense. The other Avengers follow their various sub-arcs, but Endgame is Iron Man’s film. Iron Man was the character to launch it all back in 2008, he is the most dynamic character on screen, and the most complex. Cameos and inside jokes pop up throughout the three hour running time and the final battle where it all comes together will throw a much harder punch if you ignore the logistics of how it happens and focus on the spectacle as a whole. I heard audience members outright sobbing, I may even admit to noticing a tear run down my cheek. Endgame is worthy, it was done right. But there will always be those of us who prefer the downfall instead of the victory.
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