‘We’re In The Endgame Now’: Avengers Endgame Review
If you thought that the Marvel Cinematic Universe could not reach any higher, you would be wrong. Avengers Endgame was the culmination of of a 11 year old journey that began with the release of Iron Man in 2008, and what a conclusion it was! Read on for my review of this blockbuster of a movie. But be warned, there will be spoilers!
An Emotional Ride
With half of the universe disintegrated into dust after Thanos used the Infinity Stones, it left the remnants of the Avengers into a whirlpool of despair, hopelessness and loss that spanned for five years. It was disheartening for me to see the characters I loved looking so despondent, but it was a relatable pain and only served to fuel their determination to defeat Thanos once and for all. However, even with the eventual defeat of Thanos (he died the same way he killed everyone in Infinity War. Irony at its best), there was still a sense of loss to be felt, through the sacrifices of Tony Stark and Natasha Romanoff. I was very emotional when I saw these two heroes give their lives for survival of their world. I knew there would be sacrifices, but I still wasn’t expecting it, or my visceral response.
It’s All In The Details
Despite the sadness in the movie, there were so many moments I enjoyed, particularly the many comic book references. Seeing Captain America whisper ‘Hail Hydra’ was spine-tingling, and I couldn’t believe that the directors and writers went there, especially considering how controversial Cap being a Hydra agent was to comic book fans. I absolutely loved Cap being worthy to hold Mjolnir and mildly fist-pumped the air when he said ‘Avengers Assemble’ before battling it out one final time. I loved the small homages the movie made as well, like Captain Marvel having short hair, to Pepper donning a Rescue-like suit of armour. Admittedly, I fangirled to so many moments in this movie.
Timey-Wimey Stuff
We all knew time travel was going to be the how of getting the Infinity Stones and defeating Thanos, but I was still excited to see it pan out in the movie. It was interesting to see the Avengers go back in time to places that I had already seen in movies, particularly New York in the first Avengers movie and Asgard in Thor: The Dark World.
The Closing Of One Book
However, stories all come to an end, and Avengers Endgame was no different. When I saw Cap decide to stay back in time and live his out his life Peggy, I thought that would be it. No more Captain America. But then Cap gave Sam Wilson his shield and I knew what was happening. The legacy wasn’t ending, but continuing with a new Captain America stepping forward. And this wasn’t the only legacy not to end. At Tony’s funeral, the camera slowly pans to a young boy; Harley Keener, the boy who helped Tony out in Iron Man 3. Even Clint Barton called his daughter Hawkeye, passing on the bow and arrows to her.
This is what Avengers Endgame is telling the audience. Though we have to say a heartfelt and sometimes painful goodbye to the characters we love, the ideals and values they put forward will live on until someone else picks up the mantle. ‘No one is ever really gone,’ Luke Skywalker said and this is true in the case of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Avengers Endgame was a swan song to the group of heroes who saved the earth, the final act before the curtain dropped. It was a fulfilling end to the Avengers saga, and I can’t wait to see what happens post-Endgame.
