This Isn't About Hype, This Movie Is the New Standard For Blockbusters

Rating: 10/10 (30 April 2018)

How do you process a movie like Avengers: Infinity War?
As a fan of comic books and movies, I can safely say this was one of the most exceptional movie-going experiences of my life. Marvel not only matched my expectations for Infinity War, but they also exceeded it. Everything I thought I knew going in, would turn out to be wrong. Every prediction I made about life and death in this film-shattered. This is a movie that shouldn't work yet somehow it does. And what I mean by that is this: Avenger's: Infinity War raises the stakes to a crescendo and then walks away from it all without letting you fall gently. You are left to process your feelings, and Marvel doesn't care how you felt after it's over and done. That's bold. Secondly, no one...no one has ever been able to manage an ensemble quite like this. Reports are there are up to 70 Marvel characters in this film. Like seriously...who takes on this job as director?
Well, thankfully it wasn't just one director. It was the powerhouse combo of Joe and Anthony Russo, and they deliver the best summer action flick in history! Hey James Cameron, as much as I admire your work, your opinion on Marvel movies sucks, and I pray they never end if they're going to make movies like this.
Thanos, the mysterious villain that has stalked post-credit scenes (and a Guardians movie) for years, arrives on the scene with some issues of his own. And in his mind, his destructive goals will ultimately save the universe from itself, despite the costs. Thanos argues for the indefensible: genocide as a cure for the battle for resources. He believes this will bring peace to the universe. Well apparently, our heroes will not stand for this, and it sets up the battle to stop him from gaining the last few Infinity Stones. I'm not a huge fan of CGI characters in a movie, but Thanos works-thanks to Josh Brolin's calm and confident portrayal of the sometimes sentimental madman.
This is a movie with some serious stakes, and that's hard to achieve in a film this weighty with characters because time devoted to dramatic impact is limited. But Marvel borrows the best of episodic TV and uses the emotional investment we already have with these characters to tear apart our heartstrings. In this film, the characters find themselves in unique pairings on separate missions, and wow...do these pairings work better than expected. Star-Lord, Dr. Strange, and Iron-Man. Let that sink in for a minute. Three of the most prominent egos in the Marvel universe--together. The interactions work better than imageable. The one-liners never cease, but it's never overly jokey. They know when to insert humor and when to get serious. And things get serious mid-way through thanks to some family drama. I was curious as to how well the Guardians would mess with our Earthbound heroes, but I got to say, that team delivers the heart to this CGI fest.
The characters in this film are all given moments to shine. We revisit the fantastic world of Wakanda, and it's more glorious than ever before as we get to see the city's defense systems. Captain America, Black Widow, Falcon, War Machine, Banner, and Bucky Barnes are all along for the ride, trying to protect Vision's infinity stone from Thanos. Hemsworth's Thor, without question, delivers one of the most crowd-pleasing entrances on film-judging by the roar from the crowd that was with me in attendance. And while it's hard to refer to any of our superheroes in this film as ancillary characters, know that the film focuses on three select groups of superheroes with each group having a few actors and actresses that claim more screen time than others. Scarlett Witch finally garners the screen time she deserves as the reluctant enhanced person with the power to save the world. Everyone and every action in this film have a purpose, which is why you care about the outcome of this film.
This is what blockbuster movies are supposed to be. This is why going to theaters are still more impactful than watching them at home on your television or handheld device. The Avengers: Infinity War takes you on an exhilarating emotional journey that will leave you exhausted, heartbroken and clamor for the next installment in the series.