The endgame of an era

Rating: 7/10 (1 May 2019)

When Jon Favreau's "Iron Man" came out in 2008 with a witty Robert Downey Jr. as the lead man, I don't think even Marvel had such great expectations, yet in a bit over a decade, the so-called MCU became the trademark when it comes to blockbusters and "Avengers: Endgame", directed by the Russo brothers (Anthony and Joe), is their "destiny fulfilled".
So, just in the absurd case you are a Marvel fan and have second thoughts whether you should spend your money on this, then the answer is simple--yes. This film ticks every single box when it comes to properly concluding the "lore" of the MCU and then some! It is the ultimate wet dream for any comic-book fan, a complete, satisfying sphere of everything for everyone whose focus on entertainment is centered on all things Marvel.
Predictably, this film has no time for itself. Think about it, this is the culmination of 22 other works, its primary purpose being to put in order over a decade of cliffhangers, loose ends and post-credit scenes. It is condemned to carry a great burden, something that no film should do, and it carries it perfectly even if that means sacrificing its own identity. Viewing this from the point of an impartial person, stripping down all its dependencies, you get nothing more than a textbook executed blockbuster.
This is not necessarily a bad thing right now, as technology isn't impacting enough to tear down the core of the art of cinema (3D, happily, does not ruin it). Yet as I watched the ending, I could not help but feel this was the end of an era not only for Marvel, but for blockbusters as well. This is, after all, the blockbuster's final form as of now making this an essential viewing despite being far from a masterpiece.
"Avengers: Endgame" might not be much more than a meta-film, like the glove whose only purpose is to be a vessel for the infinity stones, but at least it is one whose contents consist of sustained excitement, sweet retrospectives and, as usual for any Marvel film, dotted about with their trademark, perfectly timed humor--yes, even here, in the final hour.