Avengers: End Game (Movie Review)
Congratulations. You have made it to the end of a ten year long, 22 movie-franchise third and arguably, the most spectacular phase in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If your eyes are prickling with restrained tears or you are just full-out bawling your lungs away, then don't feel bad. We are in this together. We did avenge, some yes. We managed to piece it all back together, of what was left of the smoking mess that the do-gooder Thanos' left sautéing on the Terran stovetop with that "snaptocalypse" at the end of the Infinity War. MCU has evolved into an epic, with Iron Man being one of the first of the lot to be introduced to us and then we had this ensemble of superheroes take centre-stage in our hearts. And so with the Avengers: End Game, the third phase 'The Infinity Saga" is over [technically it is going to be spider-man 2 that will call the wraps on it], a marvellous wrap to the proceedings.
Russo brothers, you guys should take a bow. Because this was fan-service at its most excellent and we dig it, thank you very much. A finely calibrated piece of action-movie yes but one that resonates with so much emotion and so much heart, that it makes you bleed.
This swan-song of some of our most beloved characters, who might not grace the big screen as they have for ten long years, was excruciating stuff. A see-saw between the most intimate personal narratives that make the characters as real for us as possible, and of course the blistering blitzkrieg of an action that is confusing at times, but hugely soul satisfying and spectacular on this massive scale. We certainly didn't expect to come out of this, fresh faced and laughing but the emotional heft of the narrative that deals with love, longing and loss is so well wrought out by the writers of this movie that I really was confused about which movie was I watching.
Fifteen minutes into the movie, we have seen everything that was there in the bloody trailer. And by the acorn-loving sweet-face of Groot, as the narrative veered off fast-forwarding into five years later, I had to literally pick my jaw off the floor in amazement. One hell of a twist that was. [For those of you who have seen it, you know it!] What in the name of all great things in the universe was happening here, was my first thought. But with Russo brothers at the helm, we really need not worry. For End-Game is in fact, a tribute to so many of our fan-favourite moments from all the twenty-two movies that came by till date. In the best possible manner, the directors peel back layers to the events that shaped up this universe till date. Giving a different view-point to some of these events. And it lends so much credence to this full story. [ Frankly, that elevator scene from Winter Soldier. Pure genius! And the scene in that corridor within the Palace in Asgard, oh my god was such a rib-tickler!]
A story that starts with a sucker-punch and then starts to unravel as we deal with the emotional fallout of the events of that snap. We start with Hawk-Eye. Yes Clint Barton who was curiously absent from the whole infinity-war proceedings because he had retired. To a ranch, to play ball with his sons and teach archery to his daughter. But with that snap, as he loses his entire family, we are witness to a guttering melancholy that turns into simmering rage and blood-spattering violence as Clint becomes Ronin in the five years that follows, trying to take out his anger and loss on the criminals of this world. But even with his crappy hair-cut and rage-filled eyes, we cannot write off Clint. For he is us. representing this world that the Avengers failed to protect from marauders like Thanos.
Despite Captain America's bad attempts at trying to counsel the world to move on, we know that this broken family will not. Tony Stark still has a widening rift to cross with Steve Rogers. And he won't be the first one to step across. His lambasting of Steve in the beginning of the movie, is Robert Downey Jr at his scintillating best. Rocket and Thor may make jokes but they are just barely functional. [ Truths be told, Thor's Big Lebowski transformation was just way too funny!] Natasha is sleep deprived having taken on the role of monitoring "threats" around the world and also the universe. All the original six trying to deal with their guilt of not having stopped Thanos.
But once we get past that five-phases of grief in differing forms, it is time to get the team back together. To work out on a wildly improbable plan that Scott Lang [ remember that little guy? Ant-man stuck in the quantum realm? We have all seen the bread-crumbs that the MCU guys threw all around at post-credit scenes stitching it all together, leading us to this heart-breaking finale] terms as the "Time-Heist" I don't want to delve into the details of this heist but to say it's absolutely bonkers, is to say the least. And from here on, the movie moves past the grief waddling through moments of skin-crawling thrill-rides, laden on with wry humour in true Marvel style. We get a steady diet of "returning characters" including ones you may have forgotten. [Stan Lee's younger cameo as the hipster spreading free love, for instance. Absolute hooter!]
The action takes its time building up. As we move past the heist and we know things didn't work out as it should. But the action when it comes as the big brawl towards the end of this really long movie, is like a mad man's fevered dream. Frenetic, punctuated by moments of such giddy delight that it even surpasses Thor's arrival back on Wakanda to shame. [ Yes - there are some terrific scenes that had the crowd scream forever. I am talking about that scene where Captain Rogers proves himself "worthy". Oh boy! Such an amazing scattershot of adrenaline-laden coke-snort of delirium!) There is even an awkward nod to the amazing girl-power that was well, not subtle at all.
The performances are top-notch as usual. But there may have been a touch too much of attention on the original six. Robert Downey Jr is in fiery form - the writers show off their love for this character that started it all off in 2008. The going-away speech at the start of the movie while adrift in space, starving for oxygen, that he records for Pepper, is enough proof that Tony has a heart and not just a nano-particle accelerator in his core. This guy, will break your hearts.
Chris Evans had already announced that he was going to retire from playing the role of "America's finest ass" but his swan-song is beautiful and heart-felt. Jeremy Renner is back with a vengeance and makes us wonder how did we not miss him in the Infinity War. He's phenomenal and his chemistry and the warm tones of friendship with Natasha, played by Scarlett Johansson paints the movie in sepia-tones. Scarlett, surprisingly is not just the femme fatale Black Widow. She explores the emotional core of what makes Nat tick. And she admits, it is this family that she has got. Another brilliant portrayal. Rocket voiced by Bradley Cooper has lesser wise-cracks but when he does, he is in nasty form. Chris Helmsworth, oh my god this guy has a funny bone or what. For me, he was the scene-stealer in the Infinity War and in this, he again steals your heart. Even as he is plumbing the depths of self-despair and gloom trying to come to terms with his grief. Wallowing in pizza and drinks, his character of Thor is once again a bright spark amidst the darkness of the first half. Mark Ruffalo, the other half of the "Strongest Avengers" continues on in great form from where he left off in Ragnarok and Infinity War. Though, the new Hulk wasn't my favourite for sure. Don Cheadle is his own smarmy snarky self. The only character who I felt, really didn't justify her "big entrance" was Carol "Captain Marvel" Danvers, aka Brie Larson with her creative hair-cuts. I mean, she comes in. Saves the day in the beginning. And then she takes off, because hey, the universe is a big place. Paul Rudd, back as the critical missing piece of the puzzle in this movie - oh my god, give me more of this guy. He is relentless and annoying and just one of the most happy-inducing actors of the franchise all at the same time.
Avengers: End Game has been satisfying at all levels. The writers and the moviemakers were obviously walking a double-helix of a thin wire. To make sure all the loop-holes are closed in the Infinity Saga and also bow out on a high, culminating ten plus years of absolutely cool shit that has been pulled off. And they pull it off, yet again in the most crowd pleasing manner. There is no post-credit scene [ oh well other than an audio stinger of metal hitting metal. Is that a hint?] The other aspects of the movie-making like the music, the stunning visuals and everything else kind of pales. Being just the right kind as you would expect from a Marvel movie. Or maybe I will appreciate it better if I see it again through unblurry non teary eyes. As I write this, End Game may be on its way to become the world's biggest movie. $1 Billion in two weekends? Not far. It is by far, a fitting tribute to the wonderful catalog of Marvel Movies that has made up the best part of our last ten years on the big screen and balances action with emotion, brawn and heart all in one hell of a scoop. End Game paves the way for a new future for the MCU. Mantles have been handed over, the future is ready to rise.
But there are some of us who want to spend sometime in the past, eh. Live that life, do that dance long over-due. It has been a beautiful journey Marvel. We thank you with all our hearts.
Russo brothers, you guys should take a bow. Because this was fan-service at its most excellent and we dig it, thank you very much. A finely calibrated piece of action-movie yes but one that resonates with so much emotion and so much heart, that it makes you bleed.
This swan-song of some of our most beloved characters, who might not grace the big screen as they have for ten long years, was excruciating stuff. A see-saw between the most intimate personal narratives that make the characters as real for us as possible, and of course the blistering blitzkrieg of an action that is confusing at times, but hugely soul satisfying and spectacular on this massive scale. We certainly didn't expect to come out of this, fresh faced and laughing but the emotional heft of the narrative that deals with love, longing and loss is so well wrought out by the writers of this movie that I really was confused about which movie was I watching.
Fifteen minutes into the movie, we have seen everything that was there in the bloody trailer. And by the acorn-loving sweet-face of Groot, as the narrative veered off fast-forwarding into five years later, I had to literally pick my jaw off the floor in amazement. One hell of a twist that was. [For those of you who have seen it, you know it!] What in the name of all great things in the universe was happening here, was my first thought. But with Russo brothers at the helm, we really need not worry. For End-Game is in fact, a tribute to so many of our fan-favourite moments from all the twenty-two movies that came by till date. In the best possible manner, the directors peel back layers to the events that shaped up this universe till date. Giving a different view-point to some of these events. And it lends so much credence to this full story. [ Frankly, that elevator scene from Winter Soldier. Pure genius! And the scene in that corridor within the Palace in Asgard, oh my god was such a rib-tickler!]
A story that starts with a sucker-punch and then starts to unravel as we deal with the emotional fallout of the events of that snap. We start with Hawk-Eye. Yes Clint Barton who was curiously absent from the whole infinity-war proceedings because he had retired. To a ranch, to play ball with his sons and teach archery to his daughter. But with that snap, as he loses his entire family, we are witness to a guttering melancholy that turns into simmering rage and blood-spattering violence as Clint becomes Ronin in the five years that follows, trying to take out his anger and loss on the criminals of this world. But even with his crappy hair-cut and rage-filled eyes, we cannot write off Clint. For he is us. representing this world that the Avengers failed to protect from marauders like Thanos.
Despite Captain America's bad attempts at trying to counsel the world to move on, we know that this broken family will not. Tony Stark still has a widening rift to cross with Steve Rogers. And he won't be the first one to step across. His lambasting of Steve in the beginning of the movie, is Robert Downey Jr at his scintillating best. Rocket and Thor may make jokes but they are just barely functional. [ Truths be told, Thor's Big Lebowski transformation was just way too funny!] Natasha is sleep deprived having taken on the role of monitoring "threats" around the world and also the universe. All the original six trying to deal with their guilt of not having stopped Thanos.
But once we get past that five-phases of grief in differing forms, it is time to get the team back together. To work out on a wildly improbable plan that Scott Lang [ remember that little guy? Ant-man stuck in the quantum realm? We have all seen the bread-crumbs that the MCU guys threw all around at post-credit scenes stitching it all together, leading us to this heart-breaking finale] terms as the "Time-Heist" I don't want to delve into the details of this heist but to say it's absolutely bonkers, is to say the least. And from here on, the movie moves past the grief waddling through moments of skin-crawling thrill-rides, laden on with wry humour in true Marvel style. We get a steady diet of "returning characters" including ones you may have forgotten. [Stan Lee's younger cameo as the hipster spreading free love, for instance. Absolute hooter!]
The action takes its time building up. As we move past the heist and we know things didn't work out as it should. But the action when it comes as the big brawl towards the end of this really long movie, is like a mad man's fevered dream. Frenetic, punctuated by moments of such giddy delight that it even surpasses Thor's arrival back on Wakanda to shame. [ Yes - there are some terrific scenes that had the crowd scream forever. I am talking about that scene where Captain Rogers proves himself "worthy". Oh boy! Such an amazing scattershot of adrenaline-laden coke-snort of delirium!) There is even an awkward nod to the amazing girl-power that was well, not subtle at all.
The performances are top-notch as usual. But there may have been a touch too much of attention on the original six. Robert Downey Jr is in fiery form - the writers show off their love for this character that started it all off in 2008. The going-away speech at the start of the movie while adrift in space, starving for oxygen, that he records for Pepper, is enough proof that Tony has a heart and not just a nano-particle accelerator in his core. This guy, will break your hearts.
Chris Evans had already announced that he was going to retire from playing the role of "America's finest ass" but his swan-song is beautiful and heart-felt. Jeremy Renner is back with a vengeance and makes us wonder how did we not miss him in the Infinity War. He's phenomenal and his chemistry and the warm tones of friendship with Natasha, played by Scarlett Johansson paints the movie in sepia-tones. Scarlett, surprisingly is not just the femme fatale Black Widow. She explores the emotional core of what makes Nat tick. And she admits, it is this family that she has got. Another brilliant portrayal. Rocket voiced by Bradley Cooper has lesser wise-cracks but when he does, he is in nasty form. Chris Helmsworth, oh my god this guy has a funny bone or what. For me, he was the scene-stealer in the Infinity War and in this, he again steals your heart. Even as he is plumbing the depths of self-despair and gloom trying to come to terms with his grief. Wallowing in pizza and drinks, his character of Thor is once again a bright spark amidst the darkness of the first half. Mark Ruffalo, the other half of the "Strongest Avengers" continues on in great form from where he left off in Ragnarok and Infinity War. Though, the new Hulk wasn't my favourite for sure. Don Cheadle is his own smarmy snarky self. The only character who I felt, really didn't justify her "big entrance" was Carol "Captain Marvel" Danvers, aka Brie Larson with her creative hair-cuts. I mean, she comes in. Saves the day in the beginning. And then she takes off, because hey, the universe is a big place. Paul Rudd, back as the critical missing piece of the puzzle in this movie - oh my god, give me more of this guy. He is relentless and annoying and just one of the most happy-inducing actors of the franchise all at the same time.
Avengers: End Game has been satisfying at all levels. The writers and the moviemakers were obviously walking a double-helix of a thin wire. To make sure all the loop-holes are closed in the Infinity Saga and also bow out on a high, culminating ten plus years of absolutely cool shit that has been pulled off. And they pull it off, yet again in the most crowd pleasing manner. There is no post-credit scene [ oh well other than an audio stinger of metal hitting metal. Is that a hint?] The other aspects of the movie-making like the music, the stunning visuals and everything else kind of pales. Being just the right kind as you would expect from a Marvel movie. Or maybe I will appreciate it better if I see it again through unblurry non teary eyes. As I write this, End Game may be on its way to become the world's biggest movie. $1 Billion in two weekends? Not far. It is by far, a fitting tribute to the wonderful catalog of Marvel Movies that has made up the best part of our last ten years on the big screen and balances action with emotion, brawn and heart all in one hell of a scoop. End Game paves the way for a new future for the MCU. Mantles have been handed over, the future is ready to rise.
But there are some of us who want to spend sometime in the past, eh. Live that life, do that dance long over-due. It has been a beautiful journey Marvel. We thank you with all our hearts.
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