2019 | Dir. Anthony and Joe Russo | 181 Minutes
"Everything's gonna work out exactly the way it's supposed to."
Heroes gather and attempt to undo the devastation that Thanos forced upon the entire universe.
Thematically, Avengers: Endgame is the story of heroes living through grief, coping with failure, and confronting the past in order to build a brighter the future. The film unfolds as three overstuffed acts that play like a trio of distinctly entertaining films. After a prologue that directly follows the events of Avengers: Infinity War, the first act proper is a deliberate but incredibly moving getting-the-band-back-together dramatic comedy exploring the variety of ways the heroes handle depression and the specter of failure. The second act is a thrilling high stakes multi-front mission that forces the heroes to confront their pasts directly. The film's third act delivers a sensational action extravaganza unlike anything ever successfully attempted before in a superhero movie. During this climatic battle to end all battles, nearly every hero gets their personalized moment to shine as they secure their future in the fight of their lives.
Despite the extended running time of just over three hours, the filmmakers do not offer a single shred of tangible exposition to the uninitiated, trusting that audiences for this picture did not choose to begin at the end. Its sprawling story draws upon every Marvel Studios film leading up to it, its funniest jokes and its most touching moments are completely dependent on the audience's familiarity with the previous movies. It also serves as the definitive final chapter for several members of the core team initially established in the first Avengers film, their stories concluding in fitting and poignant ways.
Robert Downey Jr. masterfully brings Tony Stark's character development over the last decade to the forefront, delivering Tony's signature wit and arrogance as it gives way to a palpable vulnerability. As a world-weary and more practical Steve Rogers, Chris Evans is better than ever personifying decency, optimism, and unyielding determination as the stalwart leader of the Avengers. Scarlett Johansson carries Natasha Romanoff's most complete dramatic arc yet with genuine emotional resonance, a repentant assassin desperately seeking absolution for past sins, a reformed killer who fully embraces her found family, particularly with her closest friend and comrade-in-arms Clint Barton. Jeremy Renner returns as a tougher, emotionally scarred Clint on a self-destructive quest for vengeance, fully utilizing his dramatic talent and action star experience. Mark Ruffalo is downright lovable playing a surprisingly new self-assured take on Bruce Banner. Also taking on a shockingly different approach to his character, Chris Hemsworth is equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking as a deeply broken Thor, remarkably human in how he deals with his sorrow.
Paul Rudd delivers his funniest and most dramatically moving work continuing to accentuate his strengths as a relatable comedic personality in the role of Scott Lang. Bradley Cooper returns to voice Rocket, sharing some of his best scenes with Hemsworth's Thor, carrying on their amusing rapport established in the previous Avengers film. Finally provided with a fully-formed character arc, Karen Gillan is magnificent as the emotionally distant cyborg killer Nebula learning to value what remains of her humanity. Though her screen time is limited, Brie Larson owns every moment that features Carol Danvers, exuding absolute confidence as the super-powered space hero. The film also features the return of Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, Danai Gurira as Dora Milaje General Okoye, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, Taika Waititi as Korg, and numerous actors from past Marvel Studios films reprising their roles in surprise appearances.
Avengers: Endgame is the ultimate follow-up and conclusion to over twenty films spanning eleven years, delivering an overwhelming abundance of emotional fulfillment on top of mind-blowing spectacle. It is a lovingly-assembled grand finale, an unprecedented achievement for the superhero film genre, and an honest to goodness pop culture milestone, rewarding the loyalty of Marvel Cinematic Universe fans three thousand times over.
STAN LEE CAMEO
"Hey, man! Make love, not war!"
FRAGMENTS
- To maintain the secrecy of the film's plot, Robert Downey Jr. was the only cast member allowed to read a full copy of the script
- The heroes who vanished in Avengers: Infinity War are missing from the Marvel Studios logo following the cold open
- Alan Silvestri's musical score references Pinar Toprak's theme for Captain Marvel, Christophe Beck's theme for Ant-Man, and Michael Giacchino's theme for Doctor Strange
- Co-director Joe Russo and Thanos creator Jim Starlin make cameo appearances sharing a scene with Steve Rogers
- Several themes from Alan Silvestri's score for Captain America: The First Avenger are featured throughout the film
- Ken Jeong and Yvette Nicole Brown (Chang and Shirley on Dan Harmon's Community) make cameo appearances
SUPPLEMENTAL STUFF
- Video: Alan Silvestri "Totally Fine"
- Video: Alan Silvestri "Portals"
007 CONNECTIONS
- Dave Bautista (Mr. Hinx in Spectre)
