Movie Review: Avengers: Infinity War

What do you get when you mix Earth’s mightiest heroes, the Guardians of the Galaxy and the most terrifying villain in Marvel history into a movie 10 years in the making? You get a recipe for heartache, awe and confusion (topped off with laugh-out- loud humor) that will make the wait for “Avengers 4” even more brutal than it already is.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War pulls out all of the stops to create a film that is epic to say they very least. From the moment the Marvel logo appears at the movie’s start to the end of the infamous post-credits scene, Infinity War is full of nonstop action and surprises that leave viewers needing to process what they witnessed in the past two-and- a-half hours.

Set roughly two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War, which saw the Avengers divided at the hand of the Sokovia Accords and the members of Team Cap given war criminal statuses, Infinity War brings everyone’s favorite heroes back into the light to face the impending threat of the Mad Titan Thanos. Thanos is hell-bent on wielding the power of all six Infinity Stones (Space, Mind, Reality, Power, Time and Soul) in order to wipe out half of existence.

The Avengers are not alone in their fight, though, as heroes like Black Panther, Spider-Man, Doctor Strange and the Guardians of Galaxy join in the fight. Infinity War is nothing shy of ambitious. Sometimes ambition can prove to have its flaws though. The film’s notable struggle comes from the fact that it feels more like a set-up for “Avengers 4” than its own complete, standalone film.

Nonetheless, Infinity War boasts strong qualities that only a movie of this caliber could possess. For starters, the film offers fans a chance to see much-anticipated and unlikely character interactions that do not disappoint. From Thor winding up on the Guardians’ spaceship, to Tony Stark teaming up with Dr. Stephen Strange, to Steve Rogers fighting alongside King T’Challa and the Wakandan army, Infinity War is like a comic book brought to life. Tying so many established characters together could seem like an impossible feat, but the Russos pull it off by pairing the perfect heroes together. The blending of personalities makes for standout comedic moments that break the tension of the movie’s more serious scenes.

Unsurprisingly, Infinity War’s countless fight scenes are nothing short of epic. With the action switching constantly from location to breathtaking location between Earth and space, viewers are left without a single moment to rest. The clashing of heroes’ powers with those of Infinity Stones make for brilliant CGI moments. To top it off, certain characters know how to make unforgettable entrances that will have audiences cheering.

Perhaps Infinity War’s greatest strength is in its villain, who is as haunting as Marvel promised. Josh Brolin delivers a terrifying portrayal of Thanos, whose motives make for an undeniably intriguing story. The Mad Titan lives up to the hype that has surrounded him from the start, and it’s easy to leave the theater feeling mixed terror and awe over every second he appeared on screen.

Of course, Marvel movies are nothing without heartbreak thrown in. It’s no surprise that the Marvel universe’s most ambitious storyline to date would be accompanied by its most ambitious heartbreak to date.

While Infinity War is an epic experience, it does possess a major flaw: it feels fairly incomplete. The movie seems more like “Infinity War Part One” than simply “Infinity War”–like an entire film of rising action with no real conclusion for its heroes. Some loose ends and character arcs that needed to be addressed are either brushed over or ignored altogether amidst the nonstop action.

Additionally, it lacks the type of team dynamics and cohesion seen in the MCU’s other ensemble movies. With the expected shortened screen time given to each individual character in order to make room for everyone, some important characters fail to have significant story arcs in the film, if at all.

If “Avengers 4” is able to tie up those loose ends and character storylines, then Infinity War will certainly hold up as brilliant setup for what is to come. If it fails to do so, then Infinity War could prove to be a misstep for Marvel.

Regardless, Infinity War makes for a show-stopping parade of its greatest heroes. If you’re looking for a superhero movie full of non-stop, heart-racing action or for your favorite heroes from across the MCU’s lineup to finally meet, then Infinity War is for you. As promised, it is certainly the MCU’s riskiest film yet that has a major impact on the course of the universe going forward.

As with any Marvel movie ever made, be sure to stick around until after the last credit rolls.