We made it. 22 movies and a decade later, Marvel has achieved a feat no franchise in cinematic history has done before: a universe of on-screen characters, interwoven adventures, and origin stories that have all culminated in a final, incredibly satisfying send-off: Avengers: Endgame.
While I normally refrain from discussing movie spoilers, it’s difficult in this case when even the movie’s premise is one in itself (kudos to Marvel Studios’ marketing for successfully keeping all significant details at bay until its final release).
So, for those who haven’t gone and seen this film yet, click away now, and go catch a showing at your nearest cinema (provided they’ve got available seats left). Alright, on to the review.
Taking place straight from the final events of their controversial film, Avengers: Infinity War, Endgame doesn’t waste time hooking audiences right back in on the action. What starts out as innocent family bonding for Clint Barton/Hawkeye and his children quickly devolves into a father’s worst nightmare: one moment he’s teaching his daughter to hold a bow and arrow; and the next she’s gone, disappeared into thin air with his son and wife – only a trail of ash left floating in their wake.
This immediately sets the tone for Endgame, one slightly unique from previous MCU films. A tearjerker roller-coaster of emotions lie ahead – and you feel it immediately in these first five minutes.
We then get caught up on Iron Man and Nebula’s humdrum activities as they struggle for survival on a dying ship in deep space. Saved by Captain Marvel, the two are safely returned to Earth to reunite with the remaining Avengers, and set to work on hatching a plan to destroy Thanos.
The plot feels rather accelerated at this point; unknowing moviegoers like me would’ve thought the entire purpose of Endgame was to lead to the events of Thanos’ ultimate demise.
Nope – after discovering the Purple Meanie’s exact coordinates, they head on over to his humble sanctuary, and Thor wastes no time “aiming for the head” as he cuts Thanos’ clean off.
And that’s it. Our villain is dead.
But the real story is just beginning.
Flash-forward five years into the future, and the world continues to thrive, albeit in total wreckage and with half of its population still missing. We see Scott Lang/Antman escape the quantum realm – and though half a decade has passed, he tells the Avengers that it was a mere five hours on his end. From this, he theorizes how the quantum realm may just allow its venturers to travel back in time.
With this opportunity, the events of Infinity War can successfully be reversed.
Using the combined super-smarts of both Stark and Banner (who has somehow managed to merge his human intelligence with Hulk’s body, letting him function “normally” as his green self) they crack the secret to time travelling in the quantum realm. The team then hatch a scheme to retrieve all Infinity Stones from different points in the past – after which they’d have the ability to reverse the effects of Thanos’ snap.
And here’s where the movie goes from good to great – as the team splits into groups, each one going back to a significant point in the MCU timeline, fans are treated to flashbacks of original, iconic scenes from previous films.
The most notable included the circular camera-pan of the original Avengers in battle, seconded by Star-Lord’s frolick through Morag, as seen in the intro sequence of Guardians of the Galaxy (and the scene plays out at a comedically different perspective, at that).
Essentially, this second act turns into a hybrid of every time-travel crowd pleaser that’s made it to the box office – and a heaping serve of delicious fan service. Marvel fans are sure to be wide-eyed with excitement as we get throwbacks, references, and easter eggs expertly weaved into each scene. We’re reminded of all the charming elements in the MCU’s previous hits, and are given insight into some our characters’ enigmatic histories.
Some of these highlights include Howard Stark and human-Jarvis, along with Gamora and Nebula’s past as Thanos’ loyal minions.
The movie’s time travel events are mainly entertaining, chock-full of action and edge-of-your-seat suspense. It’s when Natasha/Black Widow and Clint travel to Vormir to fetch the Soul Stone, however, that the film delivers us our first heartbreaking hero’s sendoff: Nat throwing herself off Vormir’s cliff as a sacrifice for the Stone; “a soul for a soul”.
Nebula and Rhodes/War Machine find their way to Morag in 2014, only to have present-day Nebula’s memories intercept that of 2014 Nebula’s – who, coincidentally, was also on a search for the Power Stone on the same planet, alongside Gamora and Thanos.
The two manage to reclaim the Power Stone, with Rhodes successfully returning to the present. However, as 2014 Nebula accidentally projects the memories of her present-day self, Thanos is informed of the Avengers’ schemes and captures present-day Nebula.
He pulls the ol’ switcheroo on the two, sending 2014 evil Nebula back to the present.
With each of the Infinity Stones successfully retrieved, Iron Man designs a new gauntlet from Stark technology. Knowing he’d be the best candidate for withstanding its life-threatening forces, Banner offers to wear it, managing to snap everything back to its former glory.
Everything seems like a triumphant win at this point, until 2014 Nebula sneaks off and uses the team’s time-travelling technology to open a portal to the past. 2014 Thanos – alive and kicking – re-emerges into the present, just in time to interrupt the Avengers’ short-lived victory.
Cue the third act; during which I experienced the most cheers, claps, and sniffles from any cinematic screening I’ve ever attended.
With Thanos back in the game, we’re given a large dose of déjà vu as the Avengers attempt to guard the Infinity Gauntlet (2.0) with their lives. It seems like a losing battle, what with Thanos’ cronies attacking by the hundreds. That is, until the dramatic backing music grinds to a halt and we hear Sam’s/Falcon’s voice on Cap’s radio…
…And every character, of every MCU movie you’ve ever loved (or hated, who knows) emerge from several dimensional portals operated by Doctor Strange and his magical army.
Seeing each beloved personality appear on-screen was an utterly epic spectacle, in every sense of the word. You’re reminded of why you love these movies; these characters you’ve grown to love and invest in over the years. Each one that has taken you on their own, memorable journey – ultimately leading to this moment.
All the more made satisfying with Cap’s iconic words: “Avengers… assemble.”
And thus, begins one of the greatest battles to ever play out on the silver screen – at least in this genre of film. Each and every blow, attack, and power move was masterfully choreographed in a vigorous array of action that kept every audience members glued to each scene, yet still managed to avoid being overly chaotic.
Needless to say, this grand battle sequence stole the show (and that of the entire MCU’s), made only greater by its climactic finale: Stark grabs ahold of the gauntlet, Infinity Stones and all; and staring right at Thanos, he utters the words, “I…am… Iron Man.” And he snaps his fingers.
Just like that, Thanos and his entire army dissipate into specks of dust.
The battle is won, but as our heroes breathe a sigh of victory, Stark draws his last. We get an incredibly poignant scene of Peter Parker as a he tearfully watches his close friend and mentor in his final moments, with Pepper laying him to rest. Audience members all around were emptying their Kleenex packets.
The film comes to a close with Tony Stark’s funeral, during which we see all those impacted by his great deeds at attendance – The Guardians, Peter and Aunt May, every single Avenger, and many others. Each sentimental scene was delivered wonderfully; a perfect, respectful farewell to the character that started it all.
And the Infinity Stones?
Using their time-travel thingamajig, Cap takes the challenge of returning them to their rightful locations, and – to Banner, Sam, and Bucky’s surprise, never returns. Instead, they see a much older, much happier Steve Rogers, sitting on bench in front of them. It turns out that he never planned on returning as his usual, youthful self – instead choosing to remain in the past, marry Peggy Carter, and live a fulfilling, ordinary life.
He passes his shield to Sam Wilson, or rather his torch, as Captain America.
Every single moment of this movie was one not wasted. It flaunts a three-hour runtime, yet I never once felt the length of the film. It’s fast-paced, well-executed, and excitingly choreographed; topped off with spectacular performances by top-notch actors who were very well born to be Marvel heroes.
This isn’t to say the movie was entirely flawless. It wasn’t; any film dealing with the concepts of time-travel are bound to cough up a handful of plot holes – but it knows it isn’t an intellectual, Nolan-esque sci-fi film, nor does it try to be.
Endgame’s ultimate goal is to provide watchers with a captivating, passionate, and overall gratifying thrill-ride that brings together all you’ve emotionally invested in for the past ten years. They achieve this, to a T – and especially for avid fans who’ve waited this long, it’s a movie you’ll be discussing, celebrating, and recollecting long after the credits roll.
(All photos courtesy of Marvel Studios.)