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Update: April 23, 2019
Dragonlord’s Review of AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Spoilers)
Bottom Line: The time heist second act isn't up to par with what Infinity War paved for but the emotional third act was so Goddamn awesome that Avengers: Endgame magnificently concludes an epic saga and gives a poignant farewell to some of our beloved characters.
Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of Marvel Studios’ painstakingly well-planned effort to map out at the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over 10 years. For over a decade, fans have grown up with these heroes and are invested in their adventures. Infinity War shocked the world with letting Thanos win and killing off half of the universe, even some of their beloved characters. Clocking in at 181 minutes long, Endgame doesn’t truly deliver until the final hour which is both a glorious action spectacle and a poignant, emotional sendoff.
The first act sets a somber tone as the remaining heroes struggle with the aftermath of the Snappening. There’s a five-year time jump where we see how the world and the main characters’ lives have changed. Steve Rogers with his never-say-die attitude continues to see the bright spot in the blight situation and helps other people cope with their losses. Natasha Romanoff has organized a galactic peacekeeping force. Clint Barton has become a Punisher-like international vigilante (Ronin as he called in the comic books). Tony Stark finds happiness and lives a simple life with Pepper and their young daughter. Bruce Banner has become the Hulk full-time but retains his intelligence and personality. But the most surprising and most hilarious is Thor who has grown fat and looks like the Dude from The Big Lebowski.
When Scott Lang is accidentally freed from the Quantum Realm, the idea of a “time heist” is set into motion in hopes to reverse what Thanos did. What follows is a convoluted plan to grab the Infinity Stones from the past and bring it to the present. When time travel is involved (which is a plot device I’m not very fond of myself), they usually end with paradoxes and several plot holes. Endgame is no different and suffers from the same sticky quagmire of inconsistent narrative. So it’s best to just ignore these plot holes and just go along with the time travel shenanigans.
The time heist is fun and a treat to the superfans with its overflowing of MCU Easter eggs and surprise cameos from a multitude characters from Marvel Studios’ rich history. But at some point I was getting worried that this is the best Endgame can come up with. Sure the time heist is amusing and an entertaining, nostalgic blast from the past but I would have rated the movie around 7.5 or 8 if this continued on.
Thankfully the film went into overdrive in the third act providing an insane massive battle that will have the cinema audience clapping and cheering. So many highlights in the extended battle sequence like the lost heroes returning just in time to turn the tide or the madcap dash to bring the gauntlet to the van or the Avengers trinity fighting Thanos. But there is one iconic scene that is guaranteed to be the No. 1 high point in everybody’s list and that is Captain America finally wielding Mjolnir and putting a beating on Thanos for a time. Comic book fans (and I) have been waiting for this triumphant Cap moment for ages and it was gloriously awesome.
In contrast with Infinity War’s overabundance of action, Endgame sets a much solemn vibe which gives the lead actors a chance to show off their fine acting performances as well as more opportunity for character growth. Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johansson shine especially when Hawkeye and Widow have to decide which one of them sacrifices themselves. The scene is so deftly executed that I had no idea who would die up to the last minute. Tony’s sacrifice and his “I am Iron Man” line was a grand and a touching fitting end. Steve’s ending with Peggy Carter was heartwarming and sweet but makes no sense in the continuity timeline.
As some character arc ends, for others a new chapter begins. Thor joining the Guardians of the Galaxy (dubbing it “Asguardians of the Galaxy” lol) looks very promising while Falcon inheriting the Captain America mantle seems like a meh idea. Though there are no plans for it, I would love to see the adventures of Old Man Steve.
Though it has its fair share of problems, directors Joe and Anthony Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have crafted an epic conclusion to the Infinity saga and delivers a moving farewell to some of these beloved characters.
RATING: 9/10
Update: Watched Endgame a second time and liked it better. I initially wasn’t fond of the time heist but knowing what to expect this time, the 2nd act flowed much better and I was thoroughly entertained for the entire movie. The last hour was still amazing, just masterfully executed. The Russo Bros. are a master at orchestrating stunning grand scale battle with sensational action choreography and highlighting multitudes of outstanding character moments.
Though the crowd was not as loud compared to my first screening, I’m happy that the second screening audience still clapped and cheered during the epic moments. Endgame is one of those movies people need to watch in movie theaters because audience impact and reaction are also a vital part of the enjoyment.
The time travel plot holes are still there but just like those classic time travel movies like Back to the Future, The Terminator and Die Hard*, it’s best not to dwell on the inconsistencies and just enjoy the greatness of the film. Replay factor is high with Endgame, rating could go a bit higher with future viewings.
Dragonlord’s Review of AVENGERS: ENDGAME (Spoilers)
Bottom Line: The time heist second act isn't up to par with what Infinity War paved for but the emotional third act was so Goddamn awesome that Avengers: Endgame magnificently concludes an epic saga and gives a poignant farewell to some of our beloved characters.
Avengers: Endgame is the culmination of Marvel Studios’ painstakingly well-planned effort to map out at the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over 10 years. For over a decade, fans have grown up with these heroes and are invested in their adventures. Infinity War shocked the world with letting Thanos win and killing off half of the universe, even some of their beloved characters. Clocking in at 181 minutes long, Endgame doesn’t truly deliver until the final hour which is both a glorious action spectacle and a poignant, emotional sendoff.
The first act sets a somber tone as the remaining heroes struggle with the aftermath of the Snappening. There’s a five-year time jump where we see how the world and the main characters’ lives have changed. Steve Rogers with his never-say-die attitude continues to see the bright spot in the blight situation and helps other people cope with their losses. Natasha Romanoff has organized a galactic peacekeeping force. Clint Barton has become a Punisher-like international vigilante (Ronin as he called in the comic books). Tony Stark finds happiness and lives a simple life with Pepper and their young daughter. Bruce Banner has become the Hulk full-time but retains his intelligence and personality. But the most surprising and most hilarious is Thor who has grown fat and looks like the Dude from The Big Lebowski.
When Scott Lang is accidentally freed from the Quantum Realm, the idea of a “time heist” is set into motion in hopes to reverse what Thanos did. What follows is a convoluted plan to grab the Infinity Stones from the past and bring it to the present. When time travel is involved (which is a plot device I’m not very fond of myself), they usually end with paradoxes and several plot holes. Endgame is no different and suffers from the same sticky quagmire of inconsistent narrative. So it’s best to just ignore these plot holes and just go along with the time travel shenanigans.
The time heist is fun and a treat to the superfans with its overflowing of MCU Easter eggs and surprise cameos from a multitude characters from Marvel Studios’ rich history. But at some point I was getting worried that this is the best Endgame can come up with. Sure the time heist is amusing and an entertaining, nostalgic blast from the past but I would have rated the movie around 7.5 or 8 if this continued on.
Thankfully the film went into overdrive in the third act providing an insane massive battle that will have the cinema audience clapping and cheering. So many highlights in the extended battle sequence like the lost heroes returning just in time to turn the tide or the madcap dash to bring the gauntlet to the van or the Avengers trinity fighting Thanos. But there is one iconic scene that is guaranteed to be the No. 1 high point in everybody’s list and that is Captain America finally wielding Mjolnir and putting a beating on Thanos for a time. Comic book fans (and I) have been waiting for this triumphant Cap moment for ages and it was gloriously awesome.
In contrast with Infinity War’s overabundance of action, Endgame sets a much solemn vibe which gives the lead actors a chance to show off their fine acting performances as well as more opportunity for character growth. Jeremy Renner and Scarlett Johansson shine especially when Hawkeye and Widow have to decide which one of them sacrifices themselves. The scene is so deftly executed that I had no idea who would die up to the last minute. Tony’s sacrifice and his “I am Iron Man” line was a grand and a touching fitting end. Steve’s ending with Peggy Carter was heartwarming and sweet but makes no sense in the continuity timeline.
As some character arc ends, for others a new chapter begins. Thor joining the Guardians of the Galaxy (dubbing it “Asguardians of the Galaxy” lol) looks very promising while Falcon inheriting the Captain America mantle seems like a meh idea. Though there are no plans for it, I would love to see the adventures of Old Man Steve.
Though it has its fair share of problems, directors Joe and Anthony Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have crafted an epic conclusion to the Infinity saga and delivers a moving farewell to some of these beloved characters.
RATING: 9/10
Update: Watched Endgame a second time and liked it better. I initially wasn’t fond of the time heist but knowing what to expect this time, the 2nd act flowed much better and I was thoroughly entertained for the entire movie. The last hour was still amazing, just masterfully executed. The Russo Bros. are a master at orchestrating stunning grand scale battle with sensational action choreography and highlighting multitudes of outstanding character moments.
Though the crowd was not as loud compared to my first screening, I’m happy that the second screening audience still clapped and cheered during the epic moments. Endgame is one of those movies people need to watch in movie theaters because audience impact and reaction are also a vital part of the enjoyment.
The time travel plot holes are still there but just like those classic time travel movies like Back to the Future, The Terminator and Die Hard*, it’s best not to dwell on the inconsistencies and just enjoy the greatness of the film. Replay factor is high with Endgame, rating could go a bit higher with future viewings.
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