Avengers Endgame Review

Avengers Endgame (2019)
Directed by: The Russo Brothers
Written by: Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlet Johnasson, Brie Larson, Jeremy Renner, Paul Rudd, etc.

Wow....you know....I feel like that was it! Over 10 years ago, Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios started a journey of unprecedented cinematic innovation by creating a comic book franchise starring with Ironman and slowly building year after year into it's own universe where a plethora of superhero in their own distinct worlds being interconnected by an overwhelming overarching narrative across almost every film culminating in an epic showdown that the world has never seen before in two finale films that not only wrap up 3 Phases worth of storylines but truly pushed the boundaries of such a massive shared universe could do. Last year's "Avengers Infinity War" was a 2 and a half thrill ride of action, suspense, depth and emotional pay-off at the end that many comic book fans and movie goers were left completely stunned and speechless of the devastating loss of the Avengers at the hands of Thanos' shocking "snap" that left half the universe decimated! One thing I absolutely LOVE about "Endgame" is that writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley don't waste time jumping right into the plot of the movie but rather give the first 30-45 minutes of movie's runtime to the surviving members of the Avengers as well as the rest of the world time to truly grieve and settle into this morbid status quo of loss, failure and moving on in the face of the entire universe picking the pieces of life left to live in a world where MANY loved ones have been lost. I will immediately say right off the bat, Robert Downey Jr. gives one of the best performances of his career. A performance full of so much anger, frustration and hopelessness that you'll already start tearing up for the title credits roll for one last time during final phase of the Infinity Sage of the now worldwide dominating MCU franchise.

I'm gonna try as much as possible to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible as there are still MANY out there that haven't seen this 3 hour epic that satisfyingly and profoundly closes the last 11 years worth of fantasy marvel ( ha!) that has been the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The one thing I also truly admire and commend the writers on is how they build toward the final hour of the Avengers' last stand against Thanos. It isn't just action for the sake of action or rushing into the story for the sake of giving fans an abundance amount of fan service (yet trust me! There's so much fan service during that stunning conclusion of the Infinity Stones that your head might explode, so be warned!) The story for the first hour or so feels natural as what's left of Earth's Mightest Heroes and Guardians must protect a world that they couldn't save. It's really heartbreaking and poetic watching these scenes play out and these new bonds that have been made through such a universal catastrophe. But that's one of the reasons why Avengers Endgame is unlike ANY superhero film that has come before it, especially when it comes to the MCU. While Infinity War that brilliantly played out as this last minute rush of unlikely alliance, relentless fight scenes and overwhelming odds; it was essentially Thanos' origin film on his motivations and thought provoking reasons for why he needed to do what he did. Add in Josh Brolin's incredible performance as the infamous death loving Mad Titan from the comics and you had a movie that was fast but frightening in terms of the consequences of the Avengers and The Guardians not being able to overcome Thanos' poetic mission of the universe's overall survival because of mass genocide across infinite galaxies. Here, Endgame is an emotional journey for our heroes as they each, for most part, get their time in the limelight to reflect on what has happened, where they go from here and honestly, what it means to be a hero in a world they failed to save. Chris Evans is confident and strong as ever, being the Avengers holding things together for the rest of the team while Scarlet Johnasson's Black Widow gets a wonderful chance to grow and be vulnerable after losing over half a family of team members that gave her purpose finally after years as a dangerously stoic double agent. Her character is actually really multi-dimensional more than ever and I absolutely love her connection to Jeremy Renner's Ronin in this film. I won't tell you what happens between them, but the way their unflinching friendship is solidified here as well as concludes is one of the film's most poignant moments that will once again leave you speechless with emotional resonance that literally pours through the screen. And yet.....

Endgame is so genuinely and remarkably comedic that you'll be surprised that most of those tears will be from laughing so hard! Paul Rudd, he is truly a godsend of an actor, not to just because of a particularly emotionally beautifully acted scene but because of how his brand of comedy saves this movie at time from the horrifically surreal grimness of a world post-Snap. Brad Cooper's voice over as Rocket Rocket is tremendous comedy gold as usual as the bond between him and Thor that began in Infinity War grows to new heights here. Speaking of Thor, Chris Hemsworth has truly carried the character into places where he has seriously become one of the most endearing and charming comic book characters of the MCU. Once again, won't spoil ANY moments but my goodness, his comedic acting is impeccable, making Thor understandably real in scenes that could be seen as pure parody but come off both touching and hilariously unforgettable. Also, Mark Ruffalo gets A LOT more to do than he did in "Infinity War" as both Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk that you truly won't see coming; once again in terms of irresistible comedy and pure heroism in the face of overwhelming odds.

Another VERY strong aspect of the film is while the Avengers themselves and their various allies are given the limelight instead of Thanos, it doesn't lessen Thanos' pure menace and striking grander as the all encompassing mastermind behind the Infinity Saga of MCU. Josh Brolin is not only tremendously intimidating as the Mad Titan once again but the writers continue to add humanity to him til the end as Thanos transform from a multi-dimensional entity of salvation and moral ambiguity to a pure evil unstoppable force that takes literally every superhero in the MCU Superhero Pantheon to defeat him. Seriously, don't let the Infinity Gauntlet and Stones fool you! Thanos manages to show exactly why he is the ultimate baddie as moments throughout the final battle show why even the likes of Captain Marvel was needed to final put an end to the intergalactic tyrant. Before I get into that said final battle sequence (and boy, I have soooo much to say about it! Trust me! ;) But the way the recently introduced Captain Marvel is incorporated into the film is often seamless at times as Carol Danvers isn't some last minute Deus Ex Machina to save the Avengers from their massive defeat but a powerful ally who comes in at just the right moment to assist the Avengers and truly shows while she may be new to the team but has enough years of experience, commanding presence and remarkable skill in the battlefield to feel dominant but not overstaying her welcome like most internet males feared during "Captain Marvel" release and Kevin Feige's proclamation of her being the strongest Avenger should not make anyone worried at all.... Cause honestly, that final battle sequence....I honestly can't believe how truly stunning visually and how HUGE in scope that last hour of pure action that reveals the Lord of the Rings battles in almost every way that it is truly INSANE!!! Not only does almost every Avenger get their time in the spotlight to show off their unique and distinct power set but show just how much they are willing to work as a team to save the universe from befalling a fate worse than the one they are already in. And of course, that moment we've all been waiting since that gut punching end of Infinity War...even when you know it''s coming, there are absolutely no words to expression the intensity of joy and relief you'll feel when it does. The audience I saw it will not only erupted in applause and cheer; but a sudden run of heartfelt tears and warmth from the sight of seeing all of these heroes all together for one last time in such a fashion that would have thought to be unspeakable nearly 20 years ago. I can't help but think about that first X-Men film back in 2000 and how revolutionary it was at the time for not only a comic book film, a superhero team being shown on the big screen for the first time in such a fashion. Now 2 decades later, we have a film that not only gives nearly every Marvel superhero the justice they deserve but gives them a conclusion that reals not only satisfying but bigger than genre might ever go from here at this point.

Honestly, I don't where Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios will go from here. It's not just because of the epic proportions of that last hour that feels literally ripped from multiple comic book panels but how the film ends by rapping up the last 20+ in such a way where not only to the original Avengers get nearly flawless ends to their 11 year long arcs. Seriously, I completely understand why Phase 4 is still in the works; especially after the HUGE acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney. Endgame may truly be the greatest superhero film of all time and seems like a truly impossible feat to top at this point by ANY studio, director, writer(s), especially Marvel Studios. Yes, they did the unthinkable and it's because they, especially Kevin Feige, took his time to truly tell a story that was worth over 10 years of building toward. "Infinity War" and "Endgame" are very different films despite being 2 halves of climatic conclusion to the MCU's first 3 rounds of Phases. There are definitely fans who are gonna be split by both and have their favorite over the other but honestly, I'm just so moved and marveled (yup! ;) by how the genre has reach this level of cinematic glory and respect that the world has come to know who even the likes of Groot and Rocket Raccoon are when 20 years before most people would have been shaking their heads at the mention of such obscure comic book characters. But thanks the great and legendary Stan Lee, who makes his unfortunately final cameo appearance before his untimely death....it truly must be something of a dream come true seeing his life's work over the course of 50+ years make it to this level of worldwide worship and pop culture prominence that I'm sure watching this film before his passing....he truly felt he could move on to here after knowing how much he is loved for bringing these tremendously awesome characters to life for so many who love and adore them. All I can say Stan is...EXCELSIOR!!!! :_)

"Back in 2008, Kevin Feige and the small studio known as "Marvel Studios" launched what would go on to become the international box office smashing Marvel Cinematic Universe as it ends it's 10 year plus reign with a conclusion to the past 21 films by bring so many story arcs and character motivations to a tight, tear inducing close that it will be impossible to not cry once or twice during this exhilarating theatrical experience that flies through its 3 hour and 2 minute runtime in a way that seems so unreal that it needs to be seen to be believed. Whomever is your favorite hero, what every moment takes your breath away or as you're reaching to be held by or hold a loved one next to truly be in the moment of such relentless heroism, "Avengers Endgame" is something that the comic book creators should see as an ultimate victory, not because of how wondrously breathtaking it is from start to finish but how one man's creative genius led to this phenomenal end (so far) to the greatest superhero universe that may ever be brought to the silver screen for generations before and to come."

Final Film Score: A+