Landon Hilst | Echo
We've officially reached the "Endgame" now, and what an absolute beast it has become.
After "Avengers: Infinity War" shattered records last year, everyone was excited to see this epic saga's final chapter. When Avengers 4 was deemed "Endgame" earlier this year, our collective anticipation grew to new heights as eagled-eyed fans noticed the title harkened back to a conversation between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers in 2015's "Age of Ultron."
The ability to reference the other films has long been one of the greatest assets to these movies, and "Endgame" plays to this strength in the most fulfilling of ways as we see the climax to more than a decade of storytelling. It has already generated $1.2 billion globally in its first opening weekend and looks poised to knock off "Avatar" as the highest-grossing film of all time.
Beginning with the release of "Iron Man" in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a series that many fans have been following since childhood. Seeing stories continued for beloved characters has become increasingly special to witness as time goes on. The "Avengers" movies represent these elements combining in large-scale team up films in a phenomenon that has been compared to this generation's "Star Wars."
The most impressive feat of all, and largely due to the creative direction of Kevin Feige, is that the crossover between the films works, and it works well. This is why "Avengers: Endgame" isn't just another blockbuster, but it's the biggest event in cinema history and a true achievement for the industry of entertainment.
"Endgame" contains the best comic book inspired spectacle ever put to screen, making the airport battle in "Captain America: Civil War" seem like two children squabbling in a sandbox. These scenes impress with special effects, but the tech behind is only a small component to why everyone is invested. The true culprit of our enthrallment lies in the journeys being told through such spectacular visuals.
While everyone's performance is engaging, all eyes are on Marvel's premiere superheroes Iron Man, Captain America and Thor due to their actors' contracts nearing an end game of their own. Robert Downey Jr. is at his very best as Tony Stark, the once self-centered weapons manufacturer who has grown to become a genuine protector of Earth. Chris Evans' nuanced role as Steve Rogers and Chris Hemsworth's emotional portrayal of Thor are both equally impressive as well.
These three pillars of the MCU are able to surpass the work of fiction that they occupy and hold a special place among fans' hearts due to making the audience laugh, cry and share in their experiences, struggles and triumphs right alongside them in the theater. Some other personal favorites include Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).
The Russo Brothers have directed a film with incredible depth while also maintaining the action-packed showdown between Thanos (Josh Brolin) and a united Avengers team. But where "Infinity War" largely felt like Thanos' narrative, we are treated to our heroes receiving the full spotlight here.
Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely's script is one of the strongest from Marvel, handling every character with immense care. Clocking in at a massive three hours and two minutes, you will not want to miss a single frame in this incredible epic, so going easy on the liquids prior to your showtime is a must.
Leaving the theater will have you dealing with a swirl of emotions, but wholly fulfilled in seeing the conclusion to the epic Infinity Saga spanning twenty-two movies in total. "Avengers: Endgame" easily receives a 5 out of 5 stars rating for rewarding its loyal fanbase with another satisfying chapter to cinemas greatest heroes, The Avengers.
