Yes yes yes. I will admit it.

THE. HYPE. IS. WORTH. IT!

I had enjoyed watching the previous installment, Avengers Infinity Wars, and was very curious how they would end the war between Thanos and the Avengers in Endgame.

Reading all the reviews online made me feel like as if this is some major cinematic experience that’s not to be missed. Some of the reviews, especially the ones where people talked about becoming all emotional and crying at the end of the movie, felt a little far fetched to me. There is even one news where one fan had to be hospitalized because they wept a lot.

Guess what? I agree with all those emotional viewers because Endgame is not just a superhero movie but also a very human and emotional movie.

I will also join in with the other reviewers in saying that Endgame has got to be one of the best movies out there.

The Flaw become Flawless

It’s not a flawless movie. It’s over 3 hours long (ok ok 3hours 2 mins). It’s filled with a lot of Marvel characters from all of the previous movies (22 movies in all). It feels and sounds like a heavy-handed movie, but, surprisingly none of these things bothered me and the movie magically worked! The 3 hours felt like they just breezed by so fast!

The Movie

Where Infinity Wars ended on a very loud note, with the battle between Thanos and Avengers, Endgame opens up on a very quiet note (someone even commented if the speakers were working properly…they were) and this is where the genius of the directors (the Russo brothers) come in: they take time to focus on the human element of being a superhero. We spend time with these superheroes as they contemplate over their desire to be with their families, about what’s important to them in their lives, remembering and honoring those who died and to have world peace. There is also the brilliant theme of sacrifice for the betterment of humanity.

***SPOILER ALERT AHEAD***

Thanos is killed off in the beginning. I was wondering what will happen in the movie. The age-old trick of Time Travel is brought in– which I felt initially was an easy way out. But Ant-Man explains this concept as the Quantum Realm, and it works in the movie. It’s not Back to the Future concept of time travel (yet another hilarious scene of our superheroes sharing movies about time travel in a self-referential inside joke!)

***SPOILER ALERT ENDS***

An Ode to Marvel (and Stan Lee)

Endgame is a fitting finale and a beautiful love letter to all of these Marvel superheroes. The technical aspects are top notch: CGI effects were awesome (including one incredible scene where one character fights off his double), music was immersive, humor was brilliant (Thor and Ant-man will bring the most laughs) and direction was flawless. With so many characters it could have been a mess of a movie but the Russo brothers have managed to create a masterpiece on some level. Stan Lee has a cameo– look out for him!

Emotions

I didn’t cry (maybe I am not a diehard fanboy) but certain scenes did get to me. One scene, in particular, involving Tony Stark had the hairs on my arm stand up. This scene was so emotional I wanted to get up and give him a hug.

Some of these superheroes I have connected to over the years and to watch their journey in Endgame became an emotional experience for me. The very human element of sacrifice is a running theme and certain deaths of some characters will leave you somewhat upset.

Watch with a Marvel Audience

My piece of advice is to watch this movie quickly, in a cinema filled with Marvel fans. There is something magical about watching a movie collectively with others: they will laugh at the right places, applaud at the right places, stay silent at the right places (except for  a few who were constantly checking their Whatsapp!)

The End?

Avengers Endgame feels like a farewell of sorts. The Russo Brothers have gone on record to say they are not directing another Marvel movie anytime soon. I have a feeling perhaps, these actors may not reprise these characters anytime soon. They might reboot the Marvel characters (like they did with Spiderman) or they will introduce new Marvel characters.

I feel Endgame is a fitting finale to all the Marvel movies. Just the way the Lord of the Rings trilogy left me bittersweet at the end (I was happy to see everyone safe and sound, but sad that we will not see more of their adventures), I was left with the same feeling at the end of Endgame.

I don’t think Endgame could have gotten a better ending.

Emotional. Heroic. Human.

5 out of 5

 

 

Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johanson and loads more!

Genre: Action

Synopsis: Adrift in space with no food or water, Tony Stark sends a message to Pepper Potts as his oxygen supply starts to dwindle. Meanwhile, the remaining Avengers — Thor, Black Widow, Captain America and Bruce Banner — must figure out a way to bring back their vanquished allies for an epic showdown with Thanos — the evil demigod who decimated the planet and the universe. (Wikipedia) 

Time: 3 hours 02 minutes

Rating: 96% Rotten Tomatoes

Seen: Cinestar, Ali Trade Center, Lahore