Avengers: Endgame Review.

Part of the journey is the end.

11 years is a long time in anyone’s life. Rewind back to 2008. I was 9 years old and getting ready to see my first ever Marvel movie. I went into Iron Man not knowing that this character was going to be in my life for the next 11 years. I was blown away by what I saw. A superhero that was able to do it all. He could beat the bad guys, design incredible suits and save the world. Iron Man left me floored. It’s the film that I’ve seen more than any other. My life took shape over the next 11 years. Marvel was there for me every step of the way. Iron Man 2 distracted me after my first encounter with death. Captain America: The First Avenger taught me how to deal with bullying while I was transitioning from primary to secondary school. The Avengers was a film which I exclaimed was the best ever as I left the cinema.  The Winter Soldier got me talking again after isolating myself for months after I first met my depression. Guardians of the Galaxy was the film that got my mum on board with the MCU and has given us lots of movie nights together ever since. Civil War is the film that I’ve been trying to convince everyone that it’s the best one since 2016. Doctor Strange was the first film I saw as a college student.  Infinity War made me decide that I wanted to be a film reviewer for the rest of my life. After 11 years, 21 Movies and one snap, Avengers: Endgame marks the end of the first era of the MCU. Avengers: Endgame arrives at a turbulent point in my life. I finish college in less than a month. After guiding me though my life these last 11 years. This chapter of the MCU is closing as I prepare to fully throw myself into adulthood. I will forever be grateful for these films for being there for me. They were there at the highest and my lowest points of my life. I want to say thank you to every single person who has worked on these films. It’s been a beautiful 11 years. Now it’s time to say goodbye.

Avengers: Endgame is the follow up to the masterpiece that was Infinity War. The last time we seen our heroes they were defeated. Losing to Thanos was the first time our heroes were defeated. Lives were lost, hearts were broken, and we’ve all been hanging from a cliff for the past year. It was one of cinemas greatest endings. It’s not often that the villain wins. To end a movie with the big bad silently reflecting on his victory with a smile on his face was monumental. How could the Russo brothers top it? Avengers: Endgame manages to do just that. Endgame is Marvels most ambitious project to date. Which is really saying something. Don’t worry I’m not going to spoil anything to do with the plot. Go into Endgame knowing nothing about it. Don’t go in with expectations. This is not the movie that you expect. For the first time in a long time I mean that in the best way imaginable. Endgame is a film which examines the impact that loss has on us. How do we react? How do we recover? Is it possible to move on and get past it? Or do we owe it to the people we lost to try and avenge even if it may cost us everything?

Endgame shines a light on tender subjects delicately. While I’m one of the biggest fans of the MCU you’ll meet. Even I can admit that subtlety hasn’t exactly been their strong point. This film is different to the rest. While normally these films try to keep moving forward and not reflect on what’s come before. Endgame wants the audience to remember the past. You don’t always need to move forward. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to look back on the past. Endgame is a celebration of the MCU. It has the heart which the series has worn on its sleeve since day 1, it has the laughs that are funnier than 90% of comedies and it has the moments that will leave you floored as they unfold. This is the smartest blockbuster I think I’ve ever seen. The quiet moments are just as important as the loud. Character interactions pack the same punch as the action scenes. Speaking of action, the action in this movie is astounding. Every single moment of Endgame feels vital to the plot. For a film that’s 3 hours long it flies by. There is no filler to be found. Endgame is yet again crafted flawlessly by the Russo Brothers. As far as final chapters go Endgame is similar to Return of the King. Not just a fitting end to an epic saga, but a film which is phenomenal in its own regards. Fans of the MCU and fans of cinema will be able to agree that movies a film like Endgame are rare. Endgame may be the best MCU film to date. Once again this is down to the performances

Marvel have been terrific at casting since it’s inception. From Downey Jr. to Brie Larson, every single casting choice has been inspired. With many of the actors there since phase 1 of the MCU. It would be understandable if some of them began to lose their mojo with heir characters. Instead of regressing the actors have grown into their roles more and more. Endgame is the last time that many of these actors will appear as their iconic characters. The core Avengers take central stage for the first time since 2012. The majority of them give their best performance to date in the MCU. Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. This time around he brings the roughness of when we first met him with the fragile nature he’s possessed as the years have passed. Downey Jr. has been the poster boy for Marvel since 2008. He repays the faith they showed in him with an elegant performance as Stark.  Scarlett Johansson, who is often overlooked by fans, is exceptional as she tries to stay strong during the worst period of her life. Johansson uses her experience to really convey how serious the stakes are, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) was the weak link in Infinity War. Reduced to a comic relief, Banner’s character progression was ignored for the sake of laughs. Ruffalo steps up and delivers a more recognisable performance as Hulk that will appease the fans. Chris Hemsworth is given a surprising arc this time around. No spoilers here of course, but it’s hard to imagine any other actor bar Hemsworth pulling it off. Jeremy Renner who was panned for his early performances as Hawkeye continues to prove his critics wrong with a beautiful performance. Renner is spotting a stellar haircut that his acting manages to top it. To see Hawkeye become one of the highlights of the MCU has been a treat to watch unfold. However, the heart of the movie is the heart of the series.

Chris Evans is worthy of an awards push for his performance as Captain America in Endgame. Evans has turned Steve Rodgers into one of the most compelling characters in the history of film. No matter what tragedies are happening around him he never forgets who he is. In this film Captain America is facing his toughest task to date. How do you stay true to yourself in a new world? Evans is the emotional backbone of the series. To say he’s left his finest performance to last would be an understatement. Evans brings the same genuine optimism to the role that he’s had ever since The First Avenger. Something is has changed in him in Endgame. Despair can be seen in everything Evans does. His voice is nervy, his mannerisms are shaky and the smile he’s had since day one is no were to be seen. Steve Rodgers has never been more determined to succeed in his life. Evans seems to have the same mission with his performance. The actor has had is heart set on directing for some time now. Despite his desire to venture away from his leading man status. Evans has continued to bring his A-game to every single film. Endgame sees the most emotionally charged performance from Evans to date. Resulting in a poignant final chapter for everyone’s favourite Avenger.  Without Chris Evans there is no Captain America. Without Captain America there is no Avengers.  

Joe and Anthony Russo have managed to outdo themselves again. Infinity War should never had worked. To balance an abundance of characters, multiple storylines and to keep fans happy was never going to be easy. Yet they managed to make one of the most talked about films of the decade. Following this accomplishment up was never going to be easy. The Russo Brothers not only build on from their previous work, but they create a superhero movie which can stand against any other. The directorial choices are inspiring. There are shots in this film which belong in art galleries. Battle scenes are canvases for the directors to impress. There are not many action sequences to be found here. Whenever there is a battle to be fought the directors pull out the big guns. The direction they take Endgame was not predicted by a single soul. It took guts for the Russo brothers to make Endgame the way they did. Infinity War was a brawler of a film. Endgame is stealthy. Taking a more calculated approach to every scene. Wherever they go next, it’s safe to say that the world will be watching.

Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have written a razor-sharp script. If a million people were to predict where Endgame was going. Not one person would have predicted this story. It’s the most Marvel film to ever grace the screen. After writing 4 previous Marvel films together. Markus and McFeely know exactly what they’re doing.  Everything you love about Marvel appears over the 3-hour runtime. Some of the humour may fall a little flat at times, but that’s a minor negative considering how perfect everything else is. Characters who never took central spotlight are stars here. Paul Rudd and Karen Gillen give the best work of there career as Ant Man and Nebula. These characters who are normally the same in every movie are given extra dimensions. The script has allowed Rudd and Gillen to show audiences that they deserve as much plaudits as the leading stars. Josh Brolin as Thanos takes a backseat in a satisfying way. This is not another Thanos movie. It didn’t need to be. Thanos is fitted into this film just right. Alan Silvestri’ score adds layers of depth to the story. Each musical cue slots into place to fuel the story. The Avengers theme is genuinely going to end up on the same level as the Star Wars score. It’s all well and good having talent on screen. You still need to have everyone who’s working behind the camera firing. Endgame is crated in a precise manner that makes this final chapter feel sublime.

Avengers: Endgame is a monumental success. After years of making brilliant film after brilliant film. 

The first era of the MCU closes in an almost flawless manner. You will laugh your ass off. You will cheer for joy. You will sob uncontrollably. You will have an amazing time. After growing up with these movies it feels like Marvel has thanked the fans.  Endgame is a present for movie goers. After 11 years you would think that the quality in these movies would have dipped by now. Amazingly that is not the case. Avengers: Endgame may be the finest superhero movie to grace our screens. Everything about this film feels earned. I don’t know where Marvel is going tot take us next. That’s not important right now. What’s important now is the wonderful story they have concluded after all these years. Thank you Marvel for guiding me through half my life. Who knows where we will go in the future? If it’s anything like the last 11 years I can’t wait.

Liam’s Summary of Avengers: Endgame.

Best Character: Captain America until the end of the road.

Worst Character: You’d think they’d know what to do with Rhodey by now.

Best Moment: The final 30 minutes is cinematic perfection.

Worst Moment: Having to move on from this.

Normally at this point I tell you to watch this if you liked (Insert film here). That’s not necessary today. We’re all here for a reason. We’ve made it to the endgame.

Overall Score: 5/5