28 Apr Nerdy for Thirty #3: Avengers: Endgame

AVENGERS: ENDGAME

dir. The Russos, starring Roberty Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, Karen Gillan, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, et. al

BLUF: While Infinity War was the frenetic, chaotic cumulation of the entire prior MCU, Endgame is the dramatic climax and denouement of the Infinity Saga, delivering the full spectrum of emotional fallout and resolution.

When people ask my favorite movie of all time, my answer is Lord of the Rings; and if asked which one, I’m firmly of the opinion that it is just one long movie. Infinity War and Endgame are the same; two sides of the same coin. As the first of the two, Infinity War is the payoff for all the prior movies, and its pacing shows that it takes no time to deal with character introductions—this is a great strength, and personally, why I prefer it. But Endgame is, by no means, a worse movie; it just serves a different purpose. Endgame slows down and allows the emotional impact to sink in, resonate, and coalesce into an exciting heist movie that ends in the largest-scoped superhero battle ever committed to film. It is, in its own right, a masterpiece.

In 1997, I remember watching Batman & Robin. It was an unparalleled dumpster fire, and I hated it so much. My conclusion, which has been born out in many other superhero franchises, is that after a couple movies, they start adding so many characters that the story and heroes themselves are overwhelmed. Spider-Man 3 and some of the X-Men movies proved me right. But Endgame completely destroyed this theory. It brings together ALL the Marvel characters. I haven’t personally counted, but I would guess that between heroes, villains, and named supporting characters, there are 70+ characters being juggled in IW and Endgame. IW kept them apart in smaller groups, but Endgame brings them all together. And it is a remarkable achievement in narrative pacing and performance consistency.

Rewatching the movie, I am most impressed with the emotional range that the survivors of The Snap. Not only do each of them remain true to their characters’ core traits in their response, but the subtle details in costume, makeup, and performance are given room to truly connect the audience on an emotional level with them that exceeds almost any other MCU film. In fact, this is the film’s greatest strength, while also its sole, minor criticism.

The first act of the film slows down considerably from IW and takes it time showing the new reality of the world after Thanos has destroyed half of all life. In so many ways, it is depressing and difficult to watch, because it elicits such a strong emotional reaction. It is no mistake that the heroes that survive The Snap are the original Avengers team (with a few additions), and after such an incredible journey, it is painful to suffer with them for the first hour of the film. It’s not bad pacing, necessarily, but just a brutal gut punch as the viewer adjusts to the post-Snap world. This “criticism” is exactly what was intended, but in repeat viewings, it is almost more difficult, knowing that it is done so well that you will feel that full measure of sadness and anguish every time.

But this emotional investment is paid off well throughout the movie, as it transitions from funeral dirge to time heist flick and, finally, to full-blown universe-in-danger battle mode.

Again, certain elements stand out as particularly strong:

• Scarlett Johansson’s performance as Black Widow is heart-breaking, then hopeful, then devastating.
• Thor’s journey is brought to its nadir in a humorous but very, very darkly realistic way, as he deals with his perceived failure in the most human, relatable way possible; it is played for laughs, but upon contemplation, it is tragedy defined.
• Tony Stark’s emotional moments with his daughter, father, and Pepper are all profoundly affecting, and subtly indicate the only possible ending of his character’s arc.
• Captain America and Mjolnir…genuinely iconic moment, followed up by Sam’s “On your left…”
• The wisdom to keep Captain Marvel away from the action but involved at just the right moments was smart and well-executed. She is overpowered, but they still managed to handicap and leverage this fact to great effect.
• Although filmed on an overabundance of greenscreens, with a LOT of CGI costumes and effects, almost everything is so photoreal that it works, across the board.

Regarding the last point, it is remarkable that it works so well. Considering the amount of time for principal photography, let alone VFX work afterwards, CGI was the only realistic path forward considering the size and scale of everything happening on-screen, and I think IW and Endgame represent the peak of Marvel’s VFX. This is a bit unfortunate, because several of their Phase 4 projects have proven surprisingly underwhelming, considering the peaks achieved here. I will say that it occurred to me a few times that filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder are, perhaps, more dedicated to making more of their films practically lensed, i.e. – less CGI-infused on every level. This was merely an observation, not a criticism, since I think the Russos made the best choice and produced a top-notch film with the right tools, given time constraints, budgetary concerns, and the absolutely insane scheduling of so much A-list talent, in front of and behind the camera.

Endgame marks the narrative end of the Infinity Saga, with Spider-Man: Far from Home serving as an epilogue that further recognizes Tony Stark’s impact on the MCU, and RDJ’s contribution to the entire franchise. While I prefer IW over Endgame, I think that mostly reveals my preference in comparing movies to films: IW is more fun, action-packed, exciting, and re-watchable, but Endgame contains the thematic, narrative, and emotional depth (along with the action and fun!) that make it more impactful. A true masterpiece that may not be topped, even by Marvel (much less anyone else.)

Pros:

• ScarJo and Hamsworth turn in character-defining performances as Black Widow and Thor, anchoring the entire MCU with real emotional, dramatic, and realistic stakes
• The final battle, particularly the Captain America moments, are the height of in-theater fan celebrations, and rightfully so
• Thanos, even a technically different, unrelated Thanos from IW, is still one of the best villains in all CBMs
• Hulk is the under-celebrated GOAT of the MCU, as his Snap technically undoes Thanos’ damage from IW
• RDJ’s Iron Man: his interactions with his daughter, reconciliation with Cap, and sacrifice at the end are AAA film material
• “I love you 3000”

Cons:

• The emotional toll of the first act is rough, even on repeat viewings; it was only exceeded by the entirety of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is a 2.5 hour funeral dirge, as opposed to Endgame’s 50-minute dirge
• It ends

Rating: 5/5
IW and Endgame are just one 5.5 hour movie, and while there are distinct difference, there is not way one succeeds without the other. And the true climax of the MCU, narrative and emotional, is found in Endgame.

Review by Jim Washburn