Avengers: Infinity War - movie review

Avengers: Infinity War

Plot: The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.
Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo
Directors: Anthony Russo & Joe Russo
Certificate: 12A (moderate violence, threat)
Runtime: 2hrs 29 mins
Release Date: Thursday 26th April 2018

Ten years ago, Robert Downey Jr. stepped onto our screens and introduced the world to Tony Stark and Iron Man. Everyone was blown away by the 2008 blockbuster but what came after the credits would change Hollywood, and the world, forever. Nick Fury emerged from the shadows to inform Tony Stark that the world was larger than he could ever imagine and he was reaching out to propose his Avenger Initiative. Being only ten years of age at the time, I didn't really think anything of it. I knew of The Avengers but I had no idea if this pipe dream would ever come to life. Little did we know that four years later, Marvel would achieve the impossible and finally bring The Avengers to life. It was an experience that I will never forget. Ever since then, we've travelled to nearly every corner of the Marvel Universe as the presence of the Infinity Stones had popped up now and again and the figure of the Mad Titan, Thanos, cast a shadow as he laid in wait for his time to strike. Well, after years of waiting, that time is now. Infinity War marks the tenth anniversary of the MCU and is the culmination of all three phases. I don't think I'm overstating the fact to say that Infinity War is the biggest movie ever made. Cast. Action. Scale. Story. Budget. It's the epitome of blockbuster. So there was absolutely no pressure behind it...

Falcon didn't want to get his new shoes dirty in the battle.

Infinity War is a minefield to talk about because even mentioning characters that interact or minor plot points could be considered a spoiler so to avoid any comments below slagging me off because I revealed that Gamora meets with Vision and performs the Macarena (in case you're oblivious to sarcasm; that doesn't happen), this review will discuss some very minor plotlines and character pairings so if you are yet to see Infinity War and wish to remain as fresh as possible, run out to a cinema as quick as you can and then make sure you come back to this review immediately after.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe reminds me of a television show. Each installment is its own individual episode that adds to the overall story. Infinity War is the gigantic series finale. Hardly any new characters are introduced and the main cast have all featured in their standalone movies. The story follows on from various past entries into the MCU as we're quickly kept up to speed as to what's happened since we last saw our heroes. Thor and the Asgardian people are under threat as we last the God of Thunder and his brother, Loki, stunned as Thanos' warship appears ahead of theirs at the end of Thor: Ragnarok. The Guardians Of The Galaxy, now with a few years of experience under their belt, are zooming around the galaxy responding to distress calls while the "unspoken thing" between Star-Lord and Gamora gains even more traction. And back on Earth, the Avengers are fractured following the events of Civil War as Tony tries to live a normal life and Captain America is forced to hide in the shadows. If you do have gaps in your MCU filmography, I would try and fill them just so you can get the most out of the experience but if worst comes to the worst and you can't, then it shouldn't hinder the story too much. Try and go with someone who has seen them just to be safe though. However, on the off-chance that you had lived under a rock for the past ten years and never seen a single MCU film, either binge the shit out of the franchise in a few days or stay put under your rock. Infinity War is excellent. Marvel couldn't afford this to be a flop but once again, Kevin Feige (praise be unto him) and The Russo Brothers knock it out of the park. They deliver on the effects, action and all of the comic book geekiness I could have hoped for but most importantly, Infinity War proves that the Russo Brothers know the multitude of characters within the MCU inside and out. Supposedly, both the Russo's and screenwriters, Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus, consulted with other directors from the MCU (James Gunn, Scott Derrickson, Ryan Coogler, Taika Waititi) to gain a better understanding of the characters they were yet to interact with.

Now that's how you make an entrance.

Each and every character has either stayed true to their representations in past films or drastically improved. The banter between the Guardians is witty and hilarious as ever and the united dynamic between the citizens of Wakanda is as strong and prevalent as it was in February. But the biggest hurdle that Infinity War had to overcome was the character they had been teasing since he turned around and showed his big, purple face at the end of The Avengers. Thanos is the mightiest adversary in comic book history and the MCU have been dropping hints about his ruthlessness for years. His appearances up until Infinity War hadn't won me over because of the clear use of CGI and his inability to remove himself from that damn floating chair. Luckily, those worries were quashed as soon as Thanos arrived. The motion capture that brings him to life is incredible to the point where Josh Brolin's face can literally be seen among the purple skin. Speaking of Brolin, he does a remarkable job in bringing Thanos to life by giving him a dominant presence any time he's featured on screen. There's also an unexpected depth to the character due to his motivations for wanting to wipe out half of the universe. The best villains are those who are convinced they are doing the right thing and Thanos is certain that he is the saviour of the universe. However, in a shocking turn of events, I would argue that Thanos is the main character of Infinity War. He gets the most screen time and is given the most development. This is his movie and his quest from start to finish. Loki, Vulture and Killmonger are most people's favourite MCU villains (an aspect they are notorious for lacking in) but after Infinity War, Thanos speeds past Vulture and Killmonger and just about edges past Loki as the greatest villain Marvel has produced. Believe me when I say that you aren't ready for the devastation that Thanos delivers in this movie.

FACT: Tom Holland was not allowed to read the script for this film since he revealed too many secrets for Spider-Man Homecoming.

Peter really had to sort out that hair problem.

Accompanying Thanos on his mission to 'save' the universe are his Black Order or, as they're referred to in the film, the Children of Thanos. This group could have been easily forgettable and simple lackeys that are just there for the Avengers to fight. Instead, they actually serve a purpose and Ebony Maw in particular, makes a startling impact with his sinister skill for declaring death upon those that defy him. As for the heroes themselves, they are all incredibly faithful to the incarnations we've seen before and in Infinity War, some of them are taken to places (both literally and figuratively) they have yet to encounter. Listing the cast would take decades because this cast is stacked with talent and the Russo Brothers give each and every hero their moment to shine (albeit some more than others). Out of everyone, Thor would have to be the MVP. He might not have had the strongest storyline as he teams up with some of the Guardians on his own adventure, separated from everyone else, but Chris Hemsworth chews up every single second. Following on from Ragnarok, Hemsworth has transformed the character of Thor from being the Avenger that everyone admired but was no one's favourite, to the Avenger on the tip of everyone's tongue. His storyline may have felt disconnected from the others and lacked the energetic pace that was running throughout but the eventual payoff and resolution to his story might be one of the single greatest moments in Marvel history. I've seen the film three times now and every single time, that moment covers my body in goosebumps and the entire crowd begin to whoop and cheer. Infinity War also gives a handful of MCU veterans their moment in the sun alongside the fresh faces. Mark Ruffalo gives another reliable performance as Bruce Banner and The Hulk although this time, the writers add a spanner in the works that delves further into the Jekyll and Hyde comparison for comedic results. Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans reprise their roles as Black Widow and Captain America respectively but don't expect them to be as front and centre as they have been in the past Russo films. Initially, I was a little disappointed that some characters weren't featured as heavily and took a more secondary route (Black Panther and the residents of Wakanda fall under that blanket) but the more I reflected on it and after a few more viewings, it became more apparent that they were pawns in Thanos' game. And then there's Robert Downey Jr. At this rate, I sound like a broken record saying that he embodies every part of Tony Stark but Downey never fails to impress in the role. The sheer commitment to the role and dedication he's given over the past ten years is astonishing. In Infinity War, Tony takes on the role he's been dreading since the Battle of New York as he leads the fight to save, not just Earth, but the entire universe. During the film, as can be seen in the trailers, Tony interacts with figures such as Doctor Strange (prompting an uproarious clash of egos) and the Guardians of the Galaxy. These interactions help make Infinity War shine.

Cap couldn't hold in the fart any longer.

Having seen the individual standalone movies (both at the time of release and as a binge leading up to its release), witnessing character pairings that I had dreamed about was everything I could have asked for. Thor's interactions with the Guardians had the audience howling with laughter, Spider-Man's innocence clashed brilliantly with Doctor Strange's steely persona and Banner's awkwardness provided some great moments as he's introduced to the world of Wakanda. Look out for a Thor, Rocket and Groot grouping that will have you craving for their own spin-off. There are plenty of other appearances from the elongated MCU alum so apologies if I forget anyone. War Machine (Don Cheadle) and Falcon (Anthony Mackie) work together well as the aerial combatants in the giant action scenes producing some explosive moments. Scarlet Witch and Vision are given their own story focusing on their developing relationship but also Vision's connection to the Infinity Stones producing some heartfelt and emotional discussions between the two. Tom Holland continues his blistering run as Spider-Man with his wit, endearing personality and spectacular acting talent. Doctor Strange takes on a far greater role than I expected him to and Benedict Cumberbatch is more than up to the task as the Russo Brothers aren't afraid to tap into the weird baggage that follows Strange wherever he goes. The Guardians are also on fine form with each of them reminding me why I fell in love with them back in 2014. Drax fires off one-liners like a machine gun and Rocket and Groot are far more compassionate and relatable this time round. Yes, I just said that a talking racoon and a tree the age of a teenager are relatable characters. THE POWER OF MARVEL!!!!! Chris Pratt does another tremendous turn as Peter Quill but out of all the Guardians and most of the whole cast, Zoe Saldana blew me away with her performance of Gamora. For those of you who have been following the MCU closely, you'll know that Gamora shares a special connection with Thanos and witnessing it unfold allows Brolin and Saldana to get the best out of each other. There are plenty of other surprise appearances that pop up but those are best experienced without a single hint as to who may rear their head. And of course, ensure you stick around for the all important post credits scene.

How to dodge Infinity War spoilers.

I remember when Infinity War was initially announced within a colossal slate reveal and initially was meant to be a two parter with the concluding chapter arriving in May 2019. That was eventually ret-conned as Feige revealed that Infinity War would be its own story and the Untitled Avengers 4 would be its own separate adventure. Without giving away the HUGE game-changer ending that will redefine the superhero genre for years to come, Infinity War, whilst telling its story, does feel like the first part to a sprawling epic tale. Therefore, it does suffer from a couple of flaws that most Part 1 installments encounter. Certain obstacles appear in the film that are then not addressed for the rest of the film so it's clear to me that they'll play a larger role next year. Infinity War does also drag ever so slightly. Being a two and a half hour movie, the runtime needed to be long to cover everything but to benefit the pace, a couple of scenes could have been omitted or cut down. It is also a very heavy film and quite a lot happens over the course of the movie meaning that personally, I found it a lot to process. Therefore, if you're left feeling a bit cold and unsure, I'd suggest a second viewing to go in with your expectations now set and not be blinded by the spectacle. On the topic of spectacle, the Marvel VFX team are on fine form as ever. I've already mentioned the phenomenal depiction of Thanos but the look for Teenage Groot is brilliant and the humongous battle sequences both in space and on Earth (the latter sharing some hilarious comparisons to the Battle of Naboo) are as thrilling and exciting as you could hope for. They do fall ever so short of topping the Airport Battle from Civil War but you'd be hard pushed to beat that. I'm also pleased to reveal that Marvel have listened to some of the criticism from fans and delivered a beautiful score by Alan Silvestri. Whenever that Avengers theme kicks in, I just wanted to stand up and cheer with all my might.

Aaaaaaand I'm dead.

Most of you have probably seen Infinity War by now but on the off-chance that you're yet to experience it, WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? Get your arse to a cinema right now and treat yourself to what is undoubtedly the biggest cinematic tale in this millennium, possibly ever. Thanos steals the show as a fully realised villain with genuine motivations and a legitimate threat for our heroes. The Avengers do not disappoint and the Russo's have pulled out the impossible by balancing this ensemble perfectly. This lived up to the ten years of hype and then some.

My Verdict: 9.5/10

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