Captain Broshi Reviews
Avengers: Endgame
Grade: 8.9/10
Recommendation: Premiere
Directors: Russo Brothers
Distributed by: Disney
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Josh Brolin, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Karen Gillian, Brie Larson
Writers: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
D.P.: Trent Opaloch
Plot Synopsis: After the snap in "Infinity War", the remaining Avengers search for a solution to bring back the entirety of their friends that turned to dust. Time travel opens up this possibility, but also a whole slew of others. Watch the Avengers assemble like never before in the conclusion of the Infinity Saga of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We are all in the "Endgame" now!
The Review
Oh boy, here we go! To say that Disney’s and Marvel’s "Avengers: Endgame" is highly anticipated is a huge disservice to the power the studios hold over their audiences.
Since the conclusion of last year’s "Avengers: Infinity War", fans have been clamoring for the answers to all the questions that film raised. On April 26th, 2019, we were rewarded for our patience.
The original six members, consisting of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye debuted as a team in 2012’s "Avengers". Their adventures as a team continued in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and last years chapter "Avengers: Infinity War", which leads directly into "Endgame".
However, this is not only the fourth Avengers film, but it also serves as the conclusion to an arc dating back to 2008 with the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s(MCU) very first picture "Iron Man" and developing through 21 more features, culminating in the epic showdown with, who many call the greatest villain in film history, Thanos.
Beginning with 2014’s sequel "Captain America: Winter Soldier", Marvel welcomed two bright and talented filmmakers among their ranks. They are a dynamic duo of directors, brothers Anthony and Joe Russo. With this second entry into Cap’s standalone trilogy, the Russos brought a fresh, new style to the MCU, prioritizing action and character development.
In fact, Kevin Feige, producer off all films within this shared universe, must have been strongly impressed by the brothers' interpretations of the characters, as they were hired back to close out the Captain America films with 2016’s "Captain America: Civil War", as well as assume the mantle of director of the Avengers films from Joss Whedon. With these unequivocally successful films under their shared belt, the team has become the directors to beat in Hollywood.
Not too many filmmakers are capable of doing what the Russos have done, aligning the plots from 21 previous films in order to tell a satisfying and compelling final chapter in the Infinity Saga of films. To say that the keeping of egos of so many illustrious stars in check is amazing would be an understatement and a detriment to the real miracle the brothers have accomplished.
Each actor gives their all, regardless of how much screen time they actually take up. This gain is due to everyone involved being made aware that it takes a team effort to win big in the movie business. The scene that best encapsulates the tour de force efficiency of the Russos is the entirety of the final act in "Endgame".
LITE SPOILERS AHEAD! The finale of the film is the battle between Thanos' army versus the sum of all the heroes the MCU has to offer, including the tribes of Wakanda from "Black Panther" and the sorcerers from "Dr. Strange", as well as several others.
Within the last hour of the film, it is pure, non-stop, fan-pleasing cinematic magic that is guaranteed to wake up the inner child of any comic book nerd in the seats of the theater. Fortunately, the targeted audience isn’t exclusively made up of die-hard-fan-boys, as any attendee with a taste for action, comedy, and/or an epic level of storytelling will leave the cinema extremely pleased with the previous three hours of their lives.
If Anthony and Joe Russo make up the brains behind the triumph that is "Endgame", then the actors are responsible for the heart and soul that carry the burden of post-"Infinity War" expectations.
Also, as aforementioned, this is the 22nd film in a franchise that is still young at only eleven years old. By comparison, it has taken the James Bond franchise over 50 years to accomplish the same thing. Franchise fatigue is a very real concept (see Star Wars franchise and "Solo"), but Marvel has mostly avoided it, due in no small part to the consistently intriguing performances the actors turn in.
For example, this is the tenth time we’ve seen Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark AKA Iron Man, yet it is arguably the best work he has offered up as the character. Same can be said for all of the returning characters, as each one continues to bring their A-game.
Chris Evans also returns in prime condition, both physically and methodically in his acting, to again silence whatever remaining detractors he may have. Since his first portrayal as the character in 2011, Evans has seen Steve Rogers go on a roller coaster ride with his emotional baggage, being a fish out of water when he awoke from his icy tomb to a future he spent a great deal of time adjusting to. Plot points that began in that first movie are resolved in "Endgame".
The reason these storylines transfer so well from film to film is based largely on the audiences' willingness to keep coming back to watch their favorite actor playing their favorite superhero.
Even more surprising than getting quality work from the established leaders such as Downey Jr., Evans, and the increasingly hilarious Chris Hemsworth as Thor is watching the supporting cast finally receive their time to shine. Notable are Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton AKA Hawkeye and Scarlett Johansson as Natasha AKA Black Widow, both of whom belong to the original Avengers team. They are given more depth with this script than they have had in any of their previous appearances, carrying the dramatic heft for quite a few important scenes.
On the flip-side, talents such as Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, and Bradley Cooper (returning as Rocket Racoon’s voice) deliver the comedic goods in every scene they participate in. Overall, each character only gets a small set amount of screen time, but none of the actors waste their precious moments, making each individual performance unique and memorable.
However, actors can only carry a blockbuster like this so far. As mentioned above, it takes a team effort to succeed, and everyone must be operating at a peak proficiency.
A few more notable contributors to "Endgame" includes cinematographer Trent Opaloch, who effortlessly paints a universe of epic proportions with his camera. He clearly has an eye for huge scale, as he and the production design team add interesting characteristics to every planet, dimension, and/or time period this film takes its viewers.
Along with the Russos, writers Markus and McFeely obviously have an understanding of the MCU and all of its intricacies. Not only are they responsible for tying up all of the loose ends from the prior decade of world-building and story-telling, but they also keep the time travel plot fresh and fun, which is hard to accomplish when audiences have seen it done so well, so often before.
Yet, the biggest unsung heroes of "Endgame" and "Infinity War" is the post production staff. From the editors to the special effects artists, this film’s success is predicated on how well it is all wrapped up and delivered to theaters. The seams are virtually invisible between practical and computer generated effects, blending the action so naturally. Combining the two films together, there is 5 1/2 hours worth of story, but never once does it cease to entertain.
The films constantly thrill with action, but knows when to quiet down and let the audience think about what they are ingesting through their eyes. Also through their ears, as Alan Silvestri returns to knock another original soundtrack out of the park, inspiring children and children-at-heart to look up, believe, and always have hope... that heroes exist.
In short, it is said that a part of the journey is the end. In the case of Marvel’s "Avengers: Endgame", not only is the end a part of the journey, but it the largest single moment in all of film, for as I write this conclusion statement, it is rapidly closing in on becoming the highest grossing film of all time. That is a testament to Disney, Marvel, the Russos, Kevin Feige, and all the actors involved.
More so than anyone else however, it is a testament to Stan "The Man" Lee, who made is final cameo appearance in "Endgame". For over 60 years, we were entertained by the words he spoke, worlds he built and the stories he crafted. May he rest in peace. Thank you so much for keeping us all young in our minds and hearts. Stan Lee lives on through you, me, and millions of others who have gone to watch "Endgame". Excelsior! 'Nuff said.
