If, like most of us, you began this major Marvel adventure with Iron Man (2008) and Robert Downey Jnr in the comeback role of a century, and have followed each movie since, then you have undoubtedly been waiting in suspense for this movie ever since the credits finished rolling on Avengers: Infinity War. To prepare yourself, perhaps you have watched the movies again in the lead up to Endgames release. Perhaps you watched the missing scenes from Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Perhaps you found Hawkeye appeared as early as Thor (2011). You would not be the only one.
Over a decade has led up to this momentous movie. Was it worth the hype? Was it worth the endless credits waiting for extra scenes? Was it worth the time and money invested? In a word? YES. Avengers: Endgame has got to be the biggest super hero movie in history. The scope and spread of this story is mind-boggling, and encompasses story lines begun in the earliest movies. The opening Marvel credits scene has an unusual upbeat 70s style music score, entreating “play a tune to make us happy”. The movie begins just after The Snap, when Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) has answered Nick Fury’s (Samuel L Jackson) call sent out at the end of Infinity War, as seen in the end credits of Captain Marvel. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jnr) and Nebula (Karen Gillian) are on the way back to Earth from the planet they ended up on in Infinity War, and scenes from the trailers are played out.

The Fan Theories

 With the months behind us as the hype for the film ramped up to a fever pitch, naturally the fan theories ran rampant. It turns out that at least some were correct (I won’t say which ones, because that would be spoilers!) One thing I will say is that no, Antman (Paul Rudd) never goes near Thanos’ (Josh Brolin’s) Infinity Gaunlet powered caboose.

Story and Pacing

This movie really is an intensive, action packed ride, that never lets up on the story telling. The acting is amazing, from the smallest cast member to the largest – and not just Antman. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Rocket (Bradley Cooper) are definitely the needed comedic relief in much of the movie. They’re like the lemon sorbet between courses at a fancy restaurant.

Surprises

This is the part that just astonishes me: there are quite a large number of surprises in this movie that I have not heard even a whisper of a rumour online. Many closed sets would have assisted in the silence, but an entire crew being so tight-lipped on this scale is astonishing. I can tell you for starters that not one cast list online is currently completely correct. Some people barely make an appearance despite the hype, while others are a surprisingly large influence. This intricate web of stories has been spun by masterful storytellers for 11 years. Many strands are brought together in this movie, and you wonder if that had been the intent all along. That said, the fate of some favoured characters are not completely resolved by the end of the movie, and that would suggest new movies (some of which have already been announced) to solve these obvious questions.

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This was by far the hardest review I’ve ever had to write. mostly because saying pretty much anything substantive about what happens in the moview would ruin it. So I’ll share only three more facts about the film: 1. Take tissues. You’ll need them.
2. There is no end credit scene to wait for.
3. Yes, there is a Stan Lee cameo, probably his last one ever. Make sure to catch up with Infinity War before going to see this one. If you’ve seen any of the Marvel movies in the last decade, you’ll want to watch this one on the big screen.

Avengers: Infinity War opens April 25, 2019, in a theater near you.

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Susan Chester-Woods
Susan Chester-Woods