Avengers: Infinity War

Me and my partner had an interesting chat before seeing Marvel's latest film, Avengers: Infinity War, about what constitutes a spoiler. As almost part of the marketing of the film, Infinity War has emphasised on social media not to spoil the film for those who haven't seen it yet. But what is a spoiler? I define it as revealing a milestone that fundamentally changes the dynamic of the narrative. Rosebud from Citizen Kane, for example, changes the dynamic of that film and spoiling it for someone who hasn't seen it can diminish some of the effect (though I think most people know about that one now ...). And I also don't think general plot stuff really counts as a spoiler. With that in mind, I will be discussing a very vague outline to the new Avengers film in my review so if you want to go in completely blind yet still know my opinion I'll summarise here: it's very good. I enjoyed the heck out of it. Thanos is great. The pay offs are wonderful. It's a bit of a mess. Leaves you wanting Part II now. For everyone else, let's continue.

So the time has come. After 10 years, 18 films, several TV series and a whole lot of box-office dollar, the Marvel Cinematic Universe reaches what can only be described as the culmination of its current form with the hotly anticipated Avengers: Infinity War. In a way, you have to hand it to the studio. With more clout than some small countries, the company, in partnership with Disney, have perfected their formula of audience-pleasing action-adventure-comedy films with enough tid-bits and Easter Eggs to keep the hardcore fans happy. However, many in the film press and industry have been gunning for the wheels to fall off the Marvel machine (including vocal directors such as James Cameron who is responding to the glut of Marvel films but making a glut of Avatar sequels) and Infinity War has gained a bit of flak for potentially being that film. So now that Thanos has finally arrived, does Avengers: Infinity War live up to the now decade worth of hype?

Honestly, as someone who largely enjoys these films for what they are, yes. Oh, yes.

Infinity War brings together a dazzling amount of heroes

The ultimate literal Big Bad of the Marvel Universe has arrived: Thanos (Josh Brolin), the Destroyer of Worlds. With a group of loyal zealots, Thanos bombards the universe in an attempt to search for all six Infinity Stones, the items that have been teased throughout the whole of the MCU since Day 1. With all the stones in his possession, Thanos plans on inflicting his own sick and twisted will on reality. All of our heroes must band together to take down their most powerful adversary yet as the fate of the whole universe hangs in balance. And they actually mean it this time.

This is definitely Marvel's biggest, messiest and most sprawling film yet with five different narratives intercutting with each other, almost like The Lord of the Rings or an episode of Game of Thrones. And I hope you've been keeping up. I do think a flaw of the film, to a degree, is that if you haven't watched all 18 prior films or have at least have a good working knowledge of what happened in them, Infinity War really doesn't spend a lot of time catching you up. For those who are invested in the films, however, this is the ultimate pay off. Can it be really be judged as an individual stand-alone film? Not really and, if we were, it doesn't really succeed on any of kind of narrative level. That said, Infinity War is unique in a way that it almost functions is as series finale to a long-running TV series, which nearly always assumes you've been watching since episode one.

Captain America leads the charges in the Battle of Wakanda

Infinity War has fun and fairly unexpected character interactions and team make-ups

I have heard some criticism that not all heroes have enough time in the light, there's certainly one character from the original Avengers that I wish had a little extra screen time, but overall I think it's all fairly well balanced. Which is insane considering all the characters who are in this film. If you have a particular favourite (I love the Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man, for example) then they will have at least one moment to please you. It's also the unexpected team ups that surprised me. Five different narratives equals five different teams which leads to some surprising character dynamics which are honestly really fun if you've been keeping up with these films.

It's hard to pick out any stand outs from the cast, as the ensemble are all giving it their 100%, but I would like to highlight the constantly charming Tom Holland as Peter Parker and Dave Bautisa as Drax the Destroyer, who both provide some much needed (yet completely character appropriate) comic relief. Zoe Saldana's Gamora also gets a good chunk of screen-time, being Thano's adoptive daughter and all, and her arc is very tragic, continuing the "abusive father" strand from Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 in a very emotionally effective way, that actually helps to ground our Big Bad. The old guard are all great, as usual - Robert Downey Jr. is just effortless as Tony Stark, Chris Hemsworth is having a blast as Thor, Chris Evans (while not in it enough) is effective as a hardened Captain America, Scarlett Johannson has perfected her intelligent and powerful take on Black Widow and Mark Ruffalo is just wonderful as Bruce Banner, as always. All the Guardians gang are excellent, a particular treat being teenage Groot revealed in the post-credits of their last film, and new favourites, such as Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the cast of Black Panther (a huge set-piece takes place in Wakanda, as per the trailers) are given ample time to shine.

The biggest surprise of the film is the big purple guy himself Thanos. Everyone knows Marvel has a villain problem and Thanos had the added pressure of living up to almost a decade worth of hype and build-up. The thrilling news is that he has been 100% worth the wait and, in a twisted kind of way, serves as the heart of the film. Josh Brolin plays the character not as a loud, hulking beast but as softly-spoken, intelligent yet highly zealous figure. His quest to find all the Infinity Stones, and the way he goes about collecting them, almost has a tragic Shakespearian quality akin to Macbeth's descent into madness after killing Duncan. Anytime he was on screen, I was completely glued. He is an all round quite terrifying figure and a highly believable candidate for the biggest threat our heroes have ever faced. The motion capture effect for the character is all-round flawless as well.

Josh Brolin as Thanos has been 100% worth the wait

Of course, this is only the first of a two part narrative that will conclude the current form of the MCU. The film makes sure to pack in as many audience pleasing moments as possible with some of the biggest set-pieces yet in the series. Quite how the directors, brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, hold it all together is quite incredible yet it does threaten on collapsing in on itself at times, in particular round the middle. However, throughout the film, there is the added layer of actual stakes, which the Marvel films have often suffered from a lack of. This does feel like the biggest, most harrowing and challenging threat our heroes have ever faced. The third act is an absolute emotional gut punch, as you'd expect, that ties together all the strands throughout the film. There was no one leaving their seats when the film ended. I won't reveal anything (part of me is tempted to post a spoiler-filled discussion of these elements) but it's probably one of the most audacious endings to a blockbuster I've seen in a long time. Hats off to you Marvel.

While I wouldn't put Infinity War quite as an all-time great in the series, there's still plenty to adore if you're a fan of these films. With several thrilling action scenes, an unexpectedly great villain, a dizzying amount of plot strands, wonderful character interactions and a super solid third act, Infinity War will no doubt please fans of the MCU and leave them gasping for more. On the other hand, if you're only lightly, or not at all, invested in these films, then I don't think Infinity War will be winning you over to the Marvel train. It is a bit of a mess and the wheels do almost fall off a couple of times but I would call it a glorious mess. It's overstuffed, ambitious to a fault but somehow sticks the landing. Bring on next year.

And for those interested, here is my ranking of the Marvel films:

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2>Captain America: The Winter Solider>The Avengers>Guardians of the Galaxy>Spider-Man: Homecoming>Avengers: Infinity War>Thor: Ragnarok>Captain America: Civil War>Doctor Strange>Black Panther>Iron Man>Ant Man>Captain America: The First Avenger>Iron Man 3>Avengers: Age of Ultron>Thor>Iron Man 2>Thor: The Dark World>The Incredible Hulk