After the Thanos snap, which wiped out half of the universe's population, the remaining Avengers try to find a way to undo what he did...
And so it ends. Sort of.
After 11 years since 2008's Iron Man and 22 films later, we reach the Endgame. Of course, this isn't the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), rather the end of Phase 3. The MCU will continue, but Endgame marks the end of an era as it brings to a close the story that began back in the first Avengers film, that of Thanos and the Infinity Stones. It is also, it has been said, the last time we will see some of this cast playing these heroes.
So, with that being said, after last year's stunner of an ending to Infinity War (a film I liked but didn't truly love) does Endgame, which was at one point going to be Infinity War Part II, bring a suitably epic closure to these heroes and the story?
In some ways yes. But in others, not so much.
One of the best things about the trailers for the film, is that it turns out, most of the footage we see in them is taking from early in the film. There is a good reason for this. There are some surprising moments to be sure as the film proceeds, but also, it has to be said, some predictable ones...even if they are genuinely crowd pleasing moments.
I don't want to spoil the plot, so what I will say is that the film is really in three acts. The first, dealing with the aftermath, the second how they plan to undo what Thanos did and the third, which is the final, epic battle as the heroes battle Thanos again.
And while I loved the truly epic final battle, I did have some issues with earlier parts of the film. While scenes of the heroes dealing with the toll of the defeat are well done, some of the humour didn't work for me. During the second act, there are some scenes there that feel a little indulgent, with some cameos that felt as if there just for the sake of it. That said, there is a scene which is a brilliantly inspired callback to the impressive elevator fight in The Winter Soldier, which I did enjoy a lot.
I won't say how they try to undo what Thanos did, although I think some reviews have, but if you know your science fiction TV and film, you can certainly see where the influences came from. In the final act, the action is well done, with, I think, each hero getting their own moment in among the epic scale of it, one that recalls, for me at least, The Return Of The King.
In fact, I think The Return Of The King is an apt comparison here. Both films in effect end their respective stories and both take their time with the final moments as they tie up loose threads of the story.
Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely have written an undoubtedly epic film, full of loss, sacrifice and what it truly means to be a hero. It's well directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, who despite the scale of the film, keep it moving at a suitably brisk pace. It's a long film, just over 3 hours, but it doesn't feel like that. The visuals are very good and the score from Alan Silvestri is impressive too. I also loved the end credits nod to Star Trek VI too.
As for the cast, they are as good as ever. The likes of Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Paul Rudd, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle are all so at ease in these roles, their performances are as good as ever. If I had to pick out one though it would be Karen Gillan as Nebula, who probably gives her best performance in the role. As Thanos, Josh Brolin is again, suitably threatening.
While I didn't go crazy for it, I do think Avengers: Endgame works. It also I think makes Infinity War, for me at least anyway, a better film, when seen as what they were originally, a two part film. I think it's a damn good ending to this over-reaching story and a fitting send-off for this group of actors. The MCU will continue without them, of course it will.
But for those who's journey ends here, it's a fitting end indeed.
Rating: 4/5
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