After 10 years and now nineteen movies later, the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to prove why they are the most successful franchise in movie history and also what they’re doing with their characters. Let’s not beat around the bush. Avengers: Infinity War has fashioned itself to be nothing short of an exhilarating, hilarious, and oftentimes highly emotional epic. Note: This review will be spoiler-free.
We pick up the action after Captain America: Civil War with the Avengers going their separate ways following the fallout between Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans.) That dynamic inevitably changes after the arrival of Thanos (Josh Brolin), an alien being of sorts who has come to Earth to collect the Infinity Stones which will give him the power to wipe out half the universe. Brolin’s performance is a true wonder here as a villain that seems truly evil and bent on destruction, but there are certain layers to his character development that make him borderline Shakespearean.
Of course, if we have Stark and Rogers back, we gotta have the rest of the gang as well. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) are also in the fight and they didn’t come alone either: Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and let’s not forget I am Groot. I mean, the Guardians of the Galaxy. Sorry. It’s amazing with so many characters in the movie, the filmmakers were able to construct a story and plot devices that make sense.
I remember in my original review of The Avengers that I said, it was like bringing together Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Steven Tyler, Gene Simmons, Freddie Mercury, and Roger Daltry. Now with these characters in the fold, let’s add in Axl Rose, Bono, Kurt Cobain, and Jim Morrison and put on a truly kick-butt rock concert.
All of these characters bring their A-game to the forefront and they all get equal amounts of screen time and they continue to bring great levels of weight, depth, and complexity. Still, this is a Marvel movie and it always finds time to give heavy doses of visually spectacular action, memorable one-liners, and some genuine emotionally powerful moments that might bring audience members to tears.
Infinity War showcases the MCU in a new light that will have fans watering at the mouth for more until May 3, 2019.
Grade: A
(Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language, and some crude references.)
