Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, and Josh Brolin
Backstory
It’s finally here. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is 10 years old, and we get the payoff we’ve been promised ever since the end-credtis stinger of the first Avengers that had us all going, “Holy crap, is that Thanos?” Yes…yes it is. And while previous films teased those McGuffins known as the Infinity Stones, this is the one that brings it all together, in a 10 year anniversary celebratory affair. Is the payoff worth it?
Plot
Bruce Banner falls from the heavens and crashes into the Sanctum Santorum of Doctor Strange, causing Strange to reach out to Tony Stark for help. Banner has a message: Thanos is coming. Out in space, the Guardians of the Galaxy respond to a distress call, where they rescue Thor from the wreckage of the Asgardian rescue ship. Thanos has laid waste to the remnants of Asgard. Back on Earth, the disciples of Thanos attack Vision, attempting to extract the Infinity Stone from his body. This brings Steve Rogers and his secret Avengers out of hiding. While they may be scattered across the globe and galaxy, they being plotting against their common foe: Thanos. He is in search of the six Infinity Stones. With all six, he seeks to wipe out half the population of the universe…an act, he believes, that will bring about a paradise. Will our heroes succeed in defeating Thanos and save the universe?
What I Liked
This movie moves incredibly fast. We’re just on from one action sequence to the next as we go from hero to hero. And with so many diverse heroes coming together for the first time, they pair them off and have them interact with each other in unique ways. As always, with Marvel films, the humour is there, no matter how dark it gets. And Josh Brolin as Thanos is fantastic. The problem with Marvel villains is weak villains, but they take the time to develop Thanos and we get to know him, thus making him a better villain. Plus, there’s some great callback and references to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including one cameo I found delightful.
What I Didn’t Like
You’d better be up to speed on the Marvel Cinematic Universe, because there is very little in the way of recaps. We hit the ground running. And can Spider-Man please stop referring to the films I grew up with as “really old movies”? You’re making a guy feel his age.
Final Verdict
Just amazing. A wonderful payoff to 10 years of build-up. Hurry up and get here, May 2019, so we can see Part II.