Avengers: Endgame
5 stars
Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth
Duration: 181 mins
Class: 12A
KRS Releasing Ltd

After an 11-year, 21-film run, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) brings its so-called ‘Infinity Phase’ to a close. In the meantime, it has not merely redefined the superhero genre, but taken the old model, beaten it to a pulp, and created a genus that has consistently delivered on action and emotion-filled storylines built on genuinely human characters. It has featured an extensive ensemble and a complex, engrossing narrative arc spread over the 21 previous films that has brought the characters to their endgame.

It is no mean feat to maintain such consistency, but directors Anthony and Joe Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely deliver the goods in spades, taking our beloved characters through the wringer both physically and emotionally for a gut-wrenching ending to this phase of the universe. 

Let’s get the plot out of the way. After Thanos (Josh Brolin) pretty much destroyed half of humanity – and a great many of the Avengers with it – in Infinity War, the survivors find their powers are useless in trying to deal with their grief and helplessness. Cap (Chris Evans) tries to keep the morale up, Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) leads what’s left of the team in trying to oversee what’s happening on earth and beyond, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) simply wants out, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has become a recluse (in ways that are equally funny and painful to watch). After years of being at their best, they are now at their worst, at a loss, having suffered one of their biggest losses of all.

The sudden appearance of an Avenger they thought they had lost galvanises them into action to try and stop Thanos once and for all, sending the remaining Avengers on their biggest and most ambitious venture yet. Their plan involves ingenious ways and means which allow them to do what they need to do, some quantum physics mumbo-jumbo and, inevitably a plot hole or two… but you know what? That doesn’t matter a jot.

The Avengers as we have grown to know and love them will be missed

From its bleak opening scene that takes place at the same time Infinity War ended to its Lord of the Rings-like coda as one by one the characters take their leave to move on with their lives,  this is less about the deeds they do to save the world (again) than about each of them coming to terms with their present situation and their complex pasts in a most up close and personal way.

And if the Russo brothers and Marcus and McFeeley succeeded in populating Infinity War with a huge ensemble without ever over-crowding events, they go one better here, bringing in familiar and beloved faces from all films past as our heroes reach closure. Had I to list them all I would take up what’s left of my entire word count – plus I don’t want to give anything away.  But they all have their moments in the sun – some dealing with long-festering parental issues, others with lost loves, one coming to terms with his superpowers – all done with the endearing combination of wit and poignance we have become so used to.

Suffice it to say, we are constantly reminded how emotionally invested in these characters we have become since Tony Stark/Iron Man first crossed our screens in 2008, and the film-makers are not afraid to let the emotions take front and centre stage – evoking in us, the viewer, myriad feelings of delight, devotion and devastation in equal measure. I will confess to a couple of tears escaping my eyes in a moment or five.

Not that it’s all touchy feely. Granted, for a franchise that has consistently delivered epic scenes of action, Endgame takes its sweet time to really up the ante and kick baddy butt, but when it happens it takes the word ‘epic’ to spectacular new heights. Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel certainly lives up to her name in her first entrance and as she pitches in to the final battle. As for the rest of them, as they split up and visit all corners of the universe to carry out their plan, they are faced with ever-challenging situations, and the final battle, when it comes, well, what can I say? Mind-blowing and nail-biting doesn’t begin to describe it as the biggest assemblage of Avengers we have seen approach endgame, to provide the perfect send-off for the billions of fans worldwide who have been with them all the way.

The Avengers as we have grown to know and love them will be missed… especially those whose contracts have run out and who have indicated they will not continue.  Yet the next phase in the MCU is yet to take off. And who knows what more Marvel-ous adventures that will bring?

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