Avengers: Infinity War is upon us, and it’s the biggest, boldest, bravest entry into the MCU canon to date.
Do you really need a plot summary? Thanos, the Mad Titan that’s been teased since the first Avengers movie, is finally here, and all of Marvel’s heroes need to band together and keep him from assembling the six Infinity Stones.
From the opening moments, when the Marvel logo is still rolling on the screen, Infinity War already feels like a departure from the usual MCU fare. There’s an instant sense of doom and gloom, which is enforced by an incredible opening sequence. For the first time in a long time, there’s an actual sense of suspense in a Marvel movie, and it makes for a thrilling experience. Even the staunchest MCU-hater won’t be able to call this one predictable.
We get a ton of “holy sh!t” moments as well; this is a flick that demands to be seen on a big screen. It’s fun seeing all of these characters coming together and interacting, many for the first time! Comics fans will especially appreciate everything the filmmakers managed to stuff into Infinity War. With every MCU character involved, there’s a lot going on. It’s packed. It can admittedly be a little overwhelming, and maybe there’s actually too much going on at times. But the plot’s not confusing. The film never feels bogged down or slow. The two hours and forty minutes fly by actually. And once the third act kicks into gear, everything clicks and it’s just an awe-inspiring ride to the finish. No spoilers, but Infinity War has the strongest ending of any Marvel movie yet.
Every character gets a moment to shine – some maybe more than others – but the standout by far is Thor. The Odinson has a lot to do in the story, and he doesn’t waste the screentime. Josh Brolin’s Thanos was well worth the wait too. He’s menacing, but Brolin also brings emotion to the Mad Titan. He steals whatever scene he’s in.
Humor is often a point of contention regarding MCU movies. And, while Infinity War is a dark chapter in the series, it does still bring the funny to a certain degree. It’s not overwhelming or distracting, though. It’s subtle, and it’s often woven very well into the script. The only exception is regarding the Guardians of the Galaxy, especially when they’re first introduced. That particular humor feels forced. It matches the tone of the Guardians films we’ve seen before, but that’s not a match for this movie.
Infinity War has heart. It’s an emotional ride, full of moments that will make you cheer, give you goosebumps, and cause you to well up (for a variety of reasons). Marvel isn’t afraid to take chances. Avengers: Infinity War proves that, and it’s going to be fun to see where the franchise goes from here.
