Avengers: Endgame Movie Review

The following is a movie review “Avengers: Endgame” by Marc Primo.

Release date: 26 April 2019 (USA)

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Language: English

Production companies: Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Pictures

Producers: Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, Jon Favreau, James Gunn, Stan Lee, Trinh Tran

(This review contains spoilers)—After 21 blockbuster films that were necessary to establish its epic finale, Avengers: Endgame has finally made its mark as the definitive superhero film for this generation, if not for all-time. Breaking box office records since its release in April, the end film finally reveals the plight of the embattled Avengers (and the entire universe) after the titan Thanos won the round in Avengers: Infinity War.

Marvel Cinematic Universe fans’ became even more excited after Brie Larson starrer Captain Marvel hit cinemas a month earlier, triggering various theories on how the saga would end. One thing was always for sure—the film would reunite pretty much all the significant characters in the MCU.

The film opens with Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) spending quality time with his family minutes before Thanos (Josh Brolin) snaps his fingers and obliterates half of the universe. What follows are scenes of the remaining Avengers, seemingly defeated, and reflecting on what went wrong.

During the first hour of the film, directors Anthony and Joe Russo depicted the superheroes as relatable beings who audiences could easily relate to. Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) could be seen with tears streaming down her cheeks, Captain America (Chris Evans) sharing his thoughts with a post-dystopian support group, Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) looking very ill, and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) turning to the bottle and letting himself go. In one scene, the Avengers seemed like college students reviewing for the finals in their headquarters.

This first hour of presenting our heroes as vulnerable individuals pays off as the movie progresses into action mode. Upon Ant-Man’s (Paul Rudd) return from the quantum realm, he visits the Avengers headquarters to share his plan that will eventually bring everyone back together. By this time, audiences were heavily invested in the storyline all the way to the film’s climactic conclusion.

There are plenty engaging scenes and effective humor that work without diminishing the gravity of the forthcoming battle nor interfering with the main storyline. Thor’s comic relief was on form through his transformation from Adonis to beer-bellied hobo. Audiences could easily empathize with Tony Stark (Downey, Jr.) as he struggled with anger issues triggered by his team’s defeat to Thanos. One big surprise for audiences is Hawkeye’s transformation into the bad-ass vigilante, Ronin, after being deeply affected by the loss of his family.

The signature MCU special effects and transitions that made its films certified hits are even better this time around, and the writers have effectively woven the interspersing storylines of each character to give all of them fitting closures.

For over three hours, Avengers: Endgame was able to fill every second with first-rate cinema that audiences will cherish for a long time. Aside from the stellar cast, masterful directing, and flawless storytelling, the film also proves to be a tour de force that never loses track of its incredible scope and succeeds in keeping the interest of audiences going into phase four of the MCU.

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