Avengers: Endgame is written by long-time MCU scribes Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and directed by the madmen behind the MCU’s latest stages of success, Joe and Anthony Russo (also known as, The Russo Brothers). Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, and Jeremy Renner.
Prepared to take the world by storm with what looks to be a 300 million plus domestic bow (watch out Avatar), Avengers: Endgame picks up a mere three weeks after the devastating snap from the fingers of The Mad Titan, Thanos. This sets up the remaining Avengers to avenge the universe no matter the cost, and whatever it takes.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
In an instant, we are whisked away into a world that is mentally unstable, most notably, the Avengers. All of them struggling to cope with the magnitude of this loss in their own ways, and what the best course of action is to take following their failure. The first hour of this film impeccably explores tight character moments that make this cast of characters the most human they’ve ever felt. Organic tears being shed and roles being played that make sense for each character’s journey leave a lasting impact. There’s a level of patience and tender direction that fully understands the gravity of the scenario. Shots last longer, scenes envelope our emotions, and character motivations become believable based on past events. It’s a contemplative 45 minutes that allows us the opportunity to live in the moment alongside the characters we’ve grown to know and love.
There’s a clear understanding of making this the next logical step in the journey, and the thematic seeds are planted early. Considering most of us have invested nearly 50 hours alongside these characters, having to cope with their failure feels meaty and purposeful. The Avengers have been defined by failure, and there is time dedicated to coping with their most monumental failure, and it rings soundly. As critical as I’ve been of the Russo Brothers, the first 45 minutes of Endgame might just be their best work on all fronts. Scenes have an aura of melancholy to them as it blends deftly serious character progression with some genuine laughs. It’s a near perfect palette cleanser after having to witness some of our favorite characters turn to dust. As the story bleeds into the second act, the story begins to descend into a downwards spiral. Initially, it seems as if most of the movie is going to spend it’s time living in the somber reality, but characters are quickly looking for solutions.
This is a decision from the screenwriting duo that is not an uncommon criticism. As they tend to be more focused on delivering the “Wows”, the “Zaps”, and the “Pops” to make sure we don’t forget what franchise we’re in, and the second act of Endgame is the unfortunate perfect visualization of exactly that. After a first hour dedicated to framing the characters in failure, the film takes us on a tour to relive some of the franchise’s greatest hits. Whether it’s Alan Silvestri reimaging now iconic musical cues, or literally pulling frames from past films and inserting them here as if we forget which film we were in. Leading up to these moments there is multiple discussions about the logistics of their mission, but they breeze by in the blink of an eye as characters quickly reference classic films, and the only explanation is a wicked fast line that isn’t challenged. Only accepted as fact, and no other way around it. There is a lack of meaning to specific phrasings, words, and verbiage that is supposed to have some semblance of meaning, but lacks all of the zip required to make it interesting to listen to, and understand.
Simple concepts quickly become over explained and nearly incomprehensible. As nothing is ever explored in regards to this plot changing mechanic. It’s framed in a way that could set up lasting consequences, but when we reach the end result, every mistake, blemish, and imperfection of this journey doesn’t result in a consequence. After hammering home the significance of perfecting this monumental mission, it’s an hour full of mistakes and timely conveniences to make sure we are given the third act we’ve dreamt of. Before I get that far, it’s important to take into account how out of tone the humor is here. At the least, character interactions early on feel like a bad joke written on a bathroom stall from time to time, but some jokes and callbacks are overly meta that they eliminate the illusion of the movie. Which really is the best phrasing for the second act of this film. In trying to make sense of what exactly is happening, and how it’s happening, and what this could lead to, the threads wither away. All of the magic and illusion present in the first act is pulled away because it becomes self-referential. It’s an hour of the worst version of fan service, and it stands out even more when the following act is the best version of fan service (more on that later).
There are a few surprises and humorous moments to keep it well paced (a huge surprise) enough to keep your mind from wandering, but the deeper into the film we get, the less sense it makes. There’s a new angle and perspective the characters have an opportunity to explore, but nothing meaningful is captured. Instead of exploring the significance of looking upon their past, learning from it, or questioning the ramifications of it, it becomes the same type of narrative we’ve come to expect from the MCU. Pulpy sci-fi fantasy with no degree of consequence for action. Plot points, plot devices, macguffins, characters, and more are bent at will to try and excuse any questions that break the illogical logic they’re abiding by. Long story short, the second act of this movie is broken, lazy, rudimentary, world-breaking nonsense that is way too bizarre to buy what they’re selling.
As we get into the film’s last stage, the table has been set, and the fireworks are about to go off, and it mostly delivers on its promise. I won’t lie when I say that there are countless moments that stitched a grin across my face and raised the goosebumps on my arms. The ultimate fan service that rewards it’s audience with some awe-inspiring visuals that capture the magnitude of this monumental feature film. Fan service that pays off seeds planted years ago, and it captures the essence of drama through a smoke-covered sky that dimly lights the last remaining hope left, and it visually strikes. Capturing single images that embody iconic comic-book phrases everyone has been dying to hear spoken. There’s a level of visual storytelling that makes me wonder who the hell directed the last two Russo features, and it concludes exactly the way it was supposed to. Which is a problem.
Leaving Infinity War and entering Endgame I sealed Doctor Strange’s quote from Infinity War into the back of my mind. The line where he says, “It was the only way.” After having seen only one outcome where the Avengers came away victorious out of 14 million. A year ago it was a lazy excuse of getting the ending we did, and now it makes Endgame harder to swallow. Reflecting on the film and hearing that line spoken in a different rendition another two times here, the less Endgame’s finale hits home. It quickly becomes less of an operatic touchstone of superhero film-making, and more so a sequence of events that eliminates value it so desperately needs.
Thinking back on the film and knowing that every scene, every moment, every fight, every line, every step, every breath, and every death happened exactly as it was supposed to because it was the only way it could have happened, heavily diminishes my personal experience with not only the third act, but the entire film. To this day, I still can’t process why Markus and McFeely felt it was necessary to write that. It’s a cheap writing crutch that eliminates proper character progression and emotional investment in the story. Had those words not been spoken, the journey to the end would resonate on a more organic and natural level. Drama created out of seemingly natural choices, rather than pre-ordained. This goes back to my problem with Endgame not keeping the illusion of the experience in tact, and I struggle to understand why that’s information we needed to know. Does anyone?
Avengers: Endgame is a conflicting grand scale adventure that overcomplicates a relatively simple premise. A premise that is essentially the same as Infinity War (protagonist steals Infinity Stones to snap their fingers), but over complicated because of overly convenient writing with cheap get out of jail free cards. With a plot that is set in motion due to a scrambling rat (Scorsese would be so proud) across a piece of high-tech equipment. Baffling. The Russo Brothers and writing duo fail to set meaningful parameters to work within, and characters are freely able to abuse the power gifted to them whenever and however. Rules are shattered, and the lack of lasting consequences for mistakes rings at an all-time high. It rides a lazy nostalgia factor to the third act to try and bridge together two thirds of the movie that have a semblance of structure and direction. Thankfully, so many moments are saved due to career best work from every major player, particularly Robert Downey Jr. . An actor who showcases a wide array of physical and mental emotion that captures the sweetest of moments with a jig, and the darkest moments with power. Resonating on an almost inhuman level alongside cast members who also channel their best work that give emotional moments the proper service they got. The original cast all go through this next chapter in a way that I connected with, especially Thor. Endgame isn’t without it’s moments, and it has a superb first act, but it’s a far cry from a narrative success.
Lastly, I get the love, I promise I do, and I’m thrilled that I live in an era where something I invested in 11 years ago managed to reach a level of conclusion. Although not satisfied by the “end”. For others, pretty much everyone besides myself, I cannot begin to explain how amazing it was to join 400+ people across two screenings, within the span of 7.5 hours in one night to take this in. No matter the result of my experience or yours, this was history, and now IS history. Etched into the sands of time forever, as the snap heard around the world united millions of living people to support the Earth’s Mightiest. Whether on your own, with friends, loved ones, or a complete stranger, this three hour epic captures the power of family gathering together to celebrate the power of life and the lasting impression an icon can make on you. Endgame is about different people from different times, generations, creeds, races, and geographical planes showing that being super is unique to our own identity, and the power of friendship and bonds between one another can trump all forces of evil big or small. It’s a shame that I get what this movie embodies on a cultural level and how much of a testament it is to its audience, because I wanted to love this more than anything in the universe, and I didn’t. I’m just glad to see so many people seeing a movie that makes them happy, because it makes me sad that I’m not.
Avengers: Endgame gets a 53/100