Not perfect, but Breath-taking!

Rating: 9/10 (26 April 2018)

Avengers Infinity War isn't perfect, but it sure is one hell of a ride! This is a spoiler free review. I'll start off with elements that did not work for me (or at least, I thought, could've been better). There are a few VFX shots (such as fully-CGI characters, noticeable green screens, etc.) in the film that looked quite unpolished, but mostly very small aspects. But then again, the scope of the film is so huge that it seems impossible to fully render every element on every frame. Another element that felt quite lacking, for me, was the character development (especially for newcomers such as the Children of Thanos, and some heroes). No spoilers, but the purpose of the Black Order in the film is ultimately to serve as a physical threat for the heroes. Most of our beloved heroes have very little screen-time in this installment, both for the best and worse. However, there are some characters who get to shine more in this one.
Now, let's talk about what's great about the film! Surprise, surprise, surprise. There are tons of awesome surprises for the audience in this film, especially for die-hard MCU fans such as myself. Since 2012, fans have been anticipating to watch the Mad Titan, Thanos, wreak havoc and become a fully-realized, compelling villain. Let me say this: Thanos is easily one of the best MCU villains yet, ranking with the likes of Loki, Vulture and Killmonger. I would even say he's one of the best villains in a superhero movie ever. There's some emotional depth to the character, reinforced by Josh Brolin's amazing motion-capture performance and intricate details to his expressions and movements. Thanos truly dominates every frame he's in. Now, I want to give tons of credit to the writers (McFeely and Markus) and directors (the Russo Brothers) for giving Thanos such great care and purpose. Infinity War is ultimately Thanos' story, without questions. That is why, perhaps, some may feel that their favorite characters were under-used in the film. Ten years of build-up, and the Mad Titan gets the justice he deserves. While some characters take a back seat for the duration of the film, there are some who really get to shine (Iron Man's new suit is sick, Dr. Strange is more powerful than ever, Gamora plays quite a crucial role, and Thor!!!) Great character interactions (especially Dr. Stange, Spider-Man and Iron Man). The action sequences were fantastic - some work better than others. The final act of the film, in particular, was breath-taking. It genuinely felt like the MCU was at its peak. A couple of gut-wrenching moments scattered throughout the film. Tom Holland delivers one of the most heart-breaking performances in the MCU. Avengers: Infinity War truly felt like an action-packed, emotional and thrilling epic that will leave fans stunned and wanting more.