'AVENGERS: ENDGAME' (2019) REVIEW
On a budget of $356 million, making it one of the most expensive films to produce, ‘Endgame’ generates $2.798 billion at the Box Office, beating ‘Avatar’ (2009) and ‘Titanic’ (1997) which were previously held at the top 2 spots for largest Box Office hits for many years.
The film had high expectations but were also pressured by the millions of fans’ expectations to live up to. With so much to handle, the Russo Brothers (directors) managed to make the film live up to the hype that it had since the start of the Avengers Initiative. With carefully planned narrative and universally outstanding performances by our favourite actors, the Russo Brothers exceed our expectations by delivering great fan service within the film.
As we know that ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) and ‘Endgame’ were filmed back-to-back, there was a lot of time to edit the latter film based on the critical response from ‘Infinity War’ but also a clever way to avoid spoilers from being shared by the actors (as Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo, and I would like to add Sebastian Stan to the list, have a habit of revealing a little too much information during press). We also know that there were various fake scripts and multiple scenes that were shot differently to allow confusion and make sure that no one knew anything about the films, even the actors themselves (excluding RDJ and Benedict Cumberbatch as it was vital for them to know what was going to happen to their characters).
The film was made up of three parts:
1. Locating Thanos and finding a way to bring back the destroyed infinity stones
2. Time travelling – mission to retrieve the stones
3. End battle – Avengers vs. Thanos' army
A very clear and simple plan to follow, however, it’s the characters and the dialogue that play the large role in making the film a cinematic masterpiece. It can be easily told that the Russo Brothers know the complexity of each character and can pair up characters well as shown in ‘Infinity War’. We got to see the original Avengers together and comedic interactions between the Guardians and the rest of the Avengers.
The main plot of the story was the time travelling sequence in which the Avengers have to retrieve all the infinity stones to bring back everyone who have been taken out of existence due to Thanos’ snap including the fallen Avengers. From ‘Back to the Future’ (1985) to ‘Hot Tub Time Machine’ (2010), time travelling plots are very conventional yet confusing to understand as the question: ‘Does changing the past affect the future?’ is still floating around… well until ‘Endgame’ in which we are told that it doesn’t. We’ll just take their word for it.
The star of the show – Robert Downey Jr. After playing the iconic character that is Iron Man for over a decade now, he has finally put down the armour. From his stellar performance in this instalment as well as his new viral lines; “I love you 3000” and “I am Iron Man” as a reference to his introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This will probably go down as one of the most iconic, if not legendary, characters of all time in film history.
Along with RDJ, Chris Evans who is well known for his portrayal as Steve Rogers A.K.A Captain America and Chris Hemsworth as Thor, the God of Thunder, take on the most screen time as they should. Time travelling back to 1970, we experience nostalgia as we see the emotions Cap goes through when Agent Peggy Carter shows up; bringing back the climax of ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011). What would have happened if Cap survived the crash? He would be with Peggy and living his best life. Well, at the end of the film, we can confirm our suspicions as Rogers decides to travel back in time to live the rest of his life with the woman of his dreams. In my opinion, it was not the best direction or outcome for Cap as he has already found his place, his family (the Avengers). Not just the people he has risked his life for but for Bucky. “I’m with you ‘til the end of the line, pal.” This memorable line cannot be swept away just because Cap wants to go back to Peggy. The past should be in the past and he should have moved on into the future like Bucky, not to mention, he just got Bucky back.
As for Thor, there was a mixed reaction or rather negative responses to his appearance in the film. Given the nickname 'Fat Thor' isn't the best way to be remembered in the number one film of all time but the Russo Brothers went ahead with the idea. Reason why? It makes sense for Thor to be depressed and lose himself after he had lost most of his people (the Asgardians) including his parents and brother as well as taking blame for the wipe out of half of the population after he let his personal feelings get in the way by focusing on just killing Thanos. He did not think about the Gauntlet or stopping Thanos from snapping his fingers. He should've gone for the head; a missed opportunity.
After this final instalment in Phase 3 of the MCU, we have lost Iron Man and Black Widow. Natasha Romanoff, played by Scarlett Johansson, has met her end on a mission to find the soul stone in the planet Vormir. Knowing only one person will survive between Hawkeye and Black Widow, they both try to commit suicide and stop the other in order to retrieve the soul stone. In the end, it was Black Widow who made the sacrifice, allowing Hawkeye bring back the stone to present time. With an important death scene, especially as one of the original Avengers, female Avenger, Johansson's character's memoriam was too short or rather there wasn't any; just the Avengers reaction to her death. Yes, there was a battle about to happen but only Tony Stark got a big farewell / funeral scene. Even Spiderman got a bigger response for his return than the OG Avenger. However, it is not the end for Romanoff as we have yet to see Johansson play the character once more in the, ever-so-long-awaited solo film 'Black Widow' (2021).
Another character who stood out the most, for me, was Scarlett Witch, portrayed by Elizabeth Olson. We got to see her become more stronger than before, as if she wasn't already powerful; destroying the mind stone whilst blocking Thanos from getting closer to her at the same time. Now, we see her taking out her anger on a past version of Thanos as it was his future self who ultimately killed Vision by taking the mind stone out from him. It was obvious that Wanda could take on Thanos by herself if it wasn't for him cowardly aiming his ships to blast towards her, knowing he will also be sacrificing his own army. He was terrified of her power. The scene alone is an 100% approval of the film for me.
We've got a lot of fan service:
1. Cap, Iron Man & Thor vs. Thanos
2. Hulk wearing the Gauntlet
3. Scarlet Witch solo battle scene
4. Return of all the Avengers
5. "Avengers Assemble"
6. "I am Iron Man"
A perfect way to end Phase 3 and a build-up of 22 stories. The wait was worth it.
Since 'Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope' (1977), the film industry has been exploring visual effects and CGI for many years; finding new ways to enhance the use of technology within film. Though, many visual effects are not as exciting to watch these days, due to the fact that it has become a conventional tool within Sci-Fi and action films, Endgame's visual effects could still be used as a great example of how visual effects and CGI have come so far. The budget for the film has been larger than 'Infinity War' as the end battle scene required a large scale of CGI and visual effects. There were over hundreds of characters to establish within a scene, therefore, required the budget to go towards the last act. The soundtrack was the 'chef's kiss' to make the last act of the movie feel wholesome.
Now that we move onto Phase 4 of the MCU, starting with 'Spiderman: Far From Home' (2019) and 'Black Widow', we will get to see more from our favourite superheroes and villains as the launch of Disney+ along with mini-series from Marvel has been announced since last year, including: 'Wandavision', 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier' and 'Loki'. More will be announced in the near future.
This film was nostalgic yet fresh. Delivering great fan service as well as stellar performances from our favourite heroes.
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
My rating: 8/10
**********
A part two review to the third Avengers film which came out a year ago. Phase 3 is now complete and I am excited for phase 4 and cannot wait for bigger plotlines within the MCU and introductions to new characters. 👀
Sabina 🦁
