‘Avengers: Endgame’ Is a Sublime, Poignant Epic

(This is a spoiler-free review.)

There’s probably no other film that has been hyped more than Avengers: Endgame.  Nevertheless, one would likely discover after watching it that it isn’t in the danger of getting overhyped.  It’s deserving of all the hype.

More than being the sequel to Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame functions as a fitting culmination of an era.  Sure, we can expect for more Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films in the future, but Endgame is clearly constructed to serve as the stupendous finale for this ambitious, groundbreaking cinematic saga that was started by Iron Man in 2008.

By itself, it’s not a perfect film.  It can be searched for flaws.  But its imperfections don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.  As far as serving its intended purpose, it’s simply impeccable.  Based on what I’ve stated in the previous paragraph, it’s just impossible to evaluate this film by itself.  Its valid value is found in recognizing what have been established by the MCU films prior it, as it is the ultimate payoff for 22 movies’ worth of storylines, character development, and worldbuilding.

It’s designed to be as most optimally rewarding as possible to the fans that have stuck with the MCU through the years.  That means it’s oozing with fan service, but the right kind –  smart, well-earned, and motivated by love; there’s no drop of laziness and cynicism.  Numerous callbacks and nods are made to notable MCU moments in the past.  Plot threads hinted or started in previous films go full circle.

Moreover, it’s not only immensely satisfying for MCU fans, it’s also extremely affecting.  It hits right in the feels.  But even in its emotional and heartbreaking scenes, you would have a sense that they make the most sensible, glorious moments for these particular characters that you’ve become invested on.

There are terrific laughs, too, as usual.  But I think Infinity War was funnier.

Spectacle-wise, it’s sheer glee.  The action sequences are exhilarating, shot compositions are dazzling, and the CGI work is magnificent.  The climactic battle alone is worth the price of admission – really gave me one heck of a euphoric rush.  However, there are some scenes that I wish had a brighter tint, smoother editing, and less shaky cams.

One minor disappointment I have is that it doesn’t present something that I never imagined would happen.  It has a couple of cool surprises, yes, but none that made my jaw drop in pure shock.  Delightful or moving they may be, all “surprising” appearances, decisions, deeds, and happenings either progresses logically – and thus, in a sense, predictably – from  the flow of the narrative or are within the boundaries of what had been foreshadowed.

Nevertheless, aside from a forgivable amount of hiccups, the story is well-written and well-told.  Everyone will have his or her own personal preference on how the narrative could have been done differently in some parts, but in a general sense, it’s overwhelmingly pleasing.  Very, very few will be disappointed of how Endgame turned out as a whole.

Overall, Avengers: Endgame is beyond awesome.  It’s arguably the GOAT of superhero movies.  Or, at the very least, it’s the definitive peak of superhero filmmaking – and will be for, most probably, a very long time.

Miscellaneous musings (with SPOILERS!!!):

• So, I mentioned above that nothing in the movie really shocked me.  For me, that would have come in the form of Netflix’s Defenders making an appearance, or a setup to something X-Men or Fantastic Four related, or any other occurrence of the same magnitude.  Nothing like it ever happened.
• It was somewhat of a letdown that Black Widow and Vision weren’t able to take part in the climactic final battle.
• That final battle, by the way, was a transcendent, breathtaking tour de force.  It’s easily the greatest battle scene I’ve ever encountered in cinema by a far mile.  I just wish it had better lighting.
• Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel was more likable here than she was in her solo movie (maybe because she wasn’t around much).  And I did like the part where she was unfazed by Thanos’ headbutt.  Nevertheless, overall, I still think she’s the weakest major character in the MCU.  A bit too cringey.
• The “girl power” part of the final battle felt forced, random, and unjustified.  It was as if it was put there in order to pamper Larson’s advocacies.  It would have felt obnoxious if it didn’t have any comic book reference – i.e. A-Force.
• If done right, I would enjoy an A-Force movie.

• Hawkeye was great in this movie.  There’s still no good reason why he wasn’t in Infinity War though.
• It’s unfortunate that Hulk didn’t get to have a rematch with Thanos.
• So, with Cassie Lang now a teenager after the five-year time skip, could this mean she would become Stature?  Is a Young Avengers movie being set up?
• I assume that Peter Parker’s classmates got vaporized by Thanos’ snap, too, because it seems like they are still high school classmates in Spider-Man: Far From Home.  That means that they’ve all been gone for five years and have to pick up where they left off their schooling.
• I think the narrative was inconsistent a couple of times with the time travel rules it had set for itself.  Divergent timelines is a possible solution to them.  But isn’t that something the Avengers were trying to avoid?
• Maybe Iron Man’s snap fixed every continuity and reality problems that arose from all the time travelling.
• In the comics, Tony Stark made an AI hologram copy of himself to serve as backup in case his physical self dies or goes into coma.  The MCU can also opt for this concept if they want to bring back Robert Downey, Jr. in future films.

• Busted my gut laughing from seeing Thor for the first time post-time skip.
• Thor wielding both Stormbreaker and Mjolnir simultaneously was pretty badass.
• I predicted that Cap would get to lift Mjolnir in this movie.  But I still got chills when it happened.
• For a second, I was confused why Cap was taking Mjolnir with him on his mission to return the Infinity Stones to the past.  Then I quickly realized that he was also returning it to its proper timeline.
• If Steve Rogers decided to stay in the past and marry Peggy Carter, does this mean that the husband mentioned in Captain America: The Winter Soldier was Steve all along?
• I wasn’t a fan when Sam Wilson donned the Captain America name and shield in the comics.  However, since I like Anthony Mackie’s Falcon more than his comic book counterpart, it’s possible I will end up liking the MCU’s take on Falcon becoming Captain America.
• It’s weird and uncharacteristic that Steve Rogers only shared a tender moment with Sam in the end and not with Bucky as well.

• Bucky became Captain America in the comics, too.  I wish both Sam and him inherited shields, and simultaneously became the new Captain Americas.  Two or more characters carrying the same superhero name at the same time is a common occurrence in Earth-616 Marvel Comics.
• If there’s going to be a Sam Wilson/Captain America movie, there should be a Jane Foster/Thor movie as well.
• With Thor joining the Guardians of the Galaxy, we can expect for the wackiness and fun in Vol. 3 to be double than usual.
• Here’s my theory: Thor will die in Vol. 3 but not before he passes on Stormbreaker to Beta Ray Bill.
• Where was Goose the Cat all this time?
• Also, wait a minute, where the blazes was Hannah Baker?  I thought 13 Reason Why’s Katherine Langford was cast in this film.  Is it decided at the last minute to reserve her debut in a future film?  Hmmm.  Is she playing *gasp* Kate Bishop?!  Again, is a Young Avengers film happening!?
• Next: the “epilogue”, Spider-Man: Far From Home!