Did you know I am an avid comic book fan and cinephile? Oh you did… okay. So then you should understand how blessed I am to see Avengers: Infinity War movie come to fruition. A decade long journey has come finally exploded its way to the big screen and right into my fanboy heart. Though the movie is obviously flawed, I cannot help not enjoy it. I am beyond satisfied. I was honest to Thanos moved.
Ever since its announcement, the pantheon of deities of Marvel Studio promised us a story so majestic it will crush people’s hearts, and move them to a new emotional state. This is a major claim they needed to back up. There are over a dozen plotlines, a handful of character arcs to coordinate, and far too much backstory to tell in a simple paragraph. Like with many major events, I had my doubts. Since they proved in the past that they could do anything once they put their heart into it, my hopes overpowered most of my fears. But I can say without a shadow of a doubt the Russo Brothers, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley (the screenwriters) succeeded. Before I continue, I do need to be a little frank. Avengers: Infinity War is not catered to just anyone. Just writing those words puts a bad taste in my mouth. I only say it as a warning. If you’re one of many suffering from superhero fatigue, or for some reason, you have only seen a few MCU movies, then you shouldn’t rush headlong into the infinite. On the other gauntlet wielding hand, if you are anything like me, then this movie will be the experience of a lifetime.
I treated this this movie has serious business. For a whole week I avoided news sites I regularly read and limited my use on social media to the point of removing apps from my devices. I pumped myself up for this godlike event so much I lost sleep. It wasn’t necessary, and in hindsight put an extra amount of stress I really didn’t need, but that is how much this movie truly meant to me. So when I was finally in my seat, everything was copacetic.
Screen time for everybody
Right from the start, I was hooked. The directors and two screenwriters crafted an engaging and entertain story while introducing new characters straight from the more obscure stories. If you recall my review of Thor: Ragnarok, you would remember I described it as a movie ripped straight from a Jason Aaron arc of Thor. Avengers: Infinity War followed suit and made a massive comic crossover event into a reality with all the advantages and disadvantages that come with it. The movie throws the heroes straight into the deep end right from the start. Teams are split then reassembled into new formations, and there doesn’t seem to be any solution in sight.
My major concern going into the movie was the abundant number of charismatic leader-types they had to manage in one movie. We are all familiar with the classic quote “too many cooks”; this movie has “too many Chris ». To my very surprise and relief, this never really became an issue. Every hero was handled with both grace and respect. No one character stole the show, and the movie gifted everyone with their moment in the sun. This is hard enough to do with only a couple of characters, it’s even harder bringing these heroes seamlessly together without hurting the story.
The story at times felt overloaded, and a little too bloated. I admit that without a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, the plot is ridden with holes, and will bring up numerous questions. But, as a massive fan of comics and these movies in general, I was able to accept the faults. Many viewers may not. I don’t know if it will have the same impact on a casual viewer, but I think they’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the film with little trouble. They can enjoy the minor exposition, the action, and the banter with ease.
Behind the curtain, some problems
I began to notice that Marvel has fallen into a trend of relying on quips and misplaced humor making tender moments moot. When in doubt, they add a little too much snark to “empower” the scene. It works in small doses, and shouldn’t be used as a cure-all for whatever problem they face. Avengers: Infinity War is fraught with wise-cracks and sarcasm, but it’s thankfully, it’s used sparingly and appropriately.
Visually, it’s stunning, and the action is on par with the airport scene in Captain America: Civil War. It’s colourful and loud enough to keep you entertained without getting stale with an overabundance of classic fisticuffs. I never felt bored watching the clash of titans, and loved how they used everyone’s skillset in unique ways. If this section seems to be a little light, it’s simply due to my respect not to give anything away. You just got to trust me, because when X does Y while Z is happening, you will cheer.
The film had to live up to the massive amounts of hype. It is beyond amazing. I went through a slew of emotions throughout the movie, at times I was ecstatic, then saddened, then hopeful, then distraught. My body had a hard time managing my feelings, leading me to a point I lost the ability to formulate proper sentences or thoughts. The only word I could muster was WOW. Avengers Infinity War shines like a super nova, and fails to disappoint. This movie was meant for me. I can’t wait to go for a second helping. Maybe even a third.
