The End is Not in Sight

Rating: 8/10 (27 April 2019)

GRADE: B
THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED.
IN BRIEF: Technically well done, this sci-fi blockbuster will entertain most moviegoers, especially its rabid fanbase.
JIM'S REVIEW: Before sharing my critic-proof and spoiler-proof review of this year's biggest blockbuster sequel, let me state that Avengers: Endgame is a worthy follow-up to 2018's mega-hit, Avengers: Infinity Wars. Fans needed to wait a whole year for Part Two for answers to questions which left them hanging in fine cliff-hanging tradition.
But first, my own nagging question...does anyone really die in sci-fi ?
Resurrection and The Moral Good must triumph. Besides, everyone loves a comeback. After all, this is a fantasy adventure in a sci-fi world and there is a set formula. Screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeeley take the inevitable logical plot device to foil Thanos' plan at universal domination, which shouldn't surprise anyone who has read comic books as a child. Many battles will ensue, which makes up most of the film's action and sub-plots. (However, it must be said, that there was one glaring leap of logic involving one unnamed character stealing the Tesseract, the movie's McGuffin, that remains unanswered.)
Epic in scope and length (nearly 3 hours), the film is a satisfying thrill ride, although it does take awhile to assemble the gang. Much (too much) time is spent with sketchy character development and tons of exposition. While most of the storytelling seizes upon engaging interactions with its more colorful assortment of characters, there are still some missed opportunities. The film is also anti-climactic and could have used some judicious editing despite its crowd-pleasing goals to tidy up all loose ends.
Still, Avengers: Endgame is an amazing accomplishment which should please the series' fanbase. The filmmakers assembles many, if not all, of the Marvel superheroes, both major and minor. The actors reprise their roles with varying degrees of importance and excitement. Some register as insignificant cameos and walk-ons; others provide strong contributions to the film; a few characters simply mystify their existence within the Marvel family. The film makes strides to impress its audience with its sheer magnitude and cast of thousands and takes its own mythology very seriously and, for the most part, succeeds.
Technically adept, much of the movie has top-notch CGI visuals and well staged action sequences directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Also impressive is their seamless handling of previous footage from other Marvel movies and their reenactments within a parallel dimension. The music score by Alan Silvestri is highly effective and Trent Opaloch's cinematography adds atmosphere and style. The editing team of Jeffrey Ford and Matthew Schmidt keep the interlocking episodes moving and allow the action to be clearly viewed, a rarity in today's blurry techno-shoot-em-ups.
Some of the actors provide more memorable star turns than others. Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Paul Rudd, Mark Ruffalo, and Josh Brolin do a yeoman-like job. Jeremy Renner may sport a new hair-do-over, but his low-tier character still lacks considerable interest, The heroines portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, Elizabeth Olsen, and Brie Larson remain underwritten and underwhelming, despite a very forced woman's empowerment battle moment that serves only as a contrived sign of the times.
Avengers: Endgame is far from the final stage of this film franchise. As comic book superhero movies go, this is one of the better efforts. In this "final" version, some superheroes perish, a few fade from memory, but most survive...as does this series. It will goes on...and on, making this one of the most profitable franchises in movie history.
So let me re-phase my opening question in this review: Does any sci-fi really die?