"AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR" review — An epic smorgasbord of emotion and achievement
After 10 years of superhero films and billions in revenue, Marvel has attempted and accomplished a monumental feat with "Avengers: Infinity War" never seen before on the big screen.
"Avengers: Infinity War" is a seemingly-impossible venture directed by the Russo Brothers ("Captain America: The Winter Soldier," Captain America: Civil War") and stars nearly all the superheroes you could fit on a screen, from Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and the original Avengers to Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) and the Guardians of the Galaxy. The stakes on this film are galactic, as the Avengers face an insurmountable threat with Thanos (Josh Brolin), who seeks all six infinity stones to wipe out half of the galaxy in one fell swoop.
As the culmination of 18 films thus far, "Infinity War" had lofty expectations resting on Thanos and his narrative, and Marvel delivered in every regard. On sheer spectacle, "Infinity War" is a cinematic record for franchise union, combining the original Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Wakanda and new Avengers, such as Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Spider-Man (Tom Holland). Besides the great difficulty in bringing so many franchises together, Marvel had to assure fans that 10 years of waiting was worthwhile for the Mad Titan, Thanos, especially after such compelling prior villains (Loki, Killmonger, Red Skull). Writers Markus and McFeely took a risk in their great devotion to Thanos' arc and motivation, but the extensive development and emotional performance by Josh Brolin yield one of the best super-villains in any comic book film ever (on the level of Ledger's Joker). Unlike the stereotypical villain, Thanos is well-grounded in reality, as an extreme planetary scientist devoted to universal balance. After he couldn't prevent his species from overpopulation, Thanos sees his mission as a noble crusader on behalf of the entire galaxy to keep them in harmony by decimating half of the population existing. His character is uniquely emotional, as his known ties to Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and Nebula (Karen Gillan) display his affections as an adoptive father. Thus when his extraordinary powers are on display and he starts wreaking havoc on the Avengers, the audience is fearful of their fate, as Thanos is adamant in his distorted ethics and terrifyingly capable of bringing about mass destruction.
The performances and meetings in "Avengers: Infinity War" are what audiences have been yearning for for years, and they pay off in great measure. Seeing the Guardians of the Galaxy and their swashbuckling humor interact with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Iron Man was everything you could hope for. Seeing Bucky (Sebastian Stan) finally healthy and reunited with Captain America (Chris Evans) was a sweet and endearing moment. Watching all these unique personas mesh on-screen was a candy-land of excitement and spontaneity that only Marvel could pull off with 10 years of connection. In "Infinity War," the ridiculous stakes mean suffering and death for our beloved heroes, and all of the cast was up to the challenge of delivering heartbreaking performances. The visual effects and action sequences are equally commendable, as the Russo Brothers filmed thrilling set pieces in-camera, without any shaky footage to distract the audience. The great displacement across the universe throughout "Infinity War" was a refreshing thrill-ride, as audiences were exposed to an array of different landscapes as Thanos continued his journey for the stones. Thanos and his Black Order were beautifully rendered on screen and entirely believable, which added to the terror felt by the audience at their actions throughout the film.
My only complaint with "Infinity War" may not have been fixable, but it rested on the occasionally-sporadic tone shifts throughout the film. Some scenes quickly transitioned from an emotional death to another landscape or group entirely, leaving the audience stunned at the lack of time devoted to realizing what had previously occurred. Each character in the film has a unique personality, and the transitions between them was not 100% seamless. The adrenaline of "Infinity War" shields these brief tonal inconsistencies remarkably, as the breakneck pace of the film continues from start to finish, captivating audiences entirely.
Ever since "The Avengers" teased Thanos, I have been patiently waiting for Marvel to have their chance to give his mighty story justice and resonance to mass audiences. After seeing all of the individual successes of each Marvel franchise, I was very optimistic, yet apprehensive at the sheer scope of this film. I am relieved and overjoyed to say Markus & McFeely, the Russo Brothers, and Marvel crafted one of the most emotional cinematic roller-coasters I've ever seen. The ending alone was one of the most satisfying, yet devastating sequences in recent memory. Thanos exceeded all expectations, as Marvel respected his sheer strength and background, but shaped him into a deeply empathetic character audiences could relate with. "Infinity War" delivered everything it had to and more: a tight narrative, formidable villain, thrilling action and sentimental character journeys as a result of this 10 year extravaganza. Avengers 4 cannot get here soon enough.
Sean Kelso is the founder and editor-in-chief of Greyscale.
