Rated: M
Directed by: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
Screenplay by: Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Based on: ‘The Avengers’ by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby
Produced by: Kevin Feige
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Bradley Cooper and Josh Brolin.
Running time: 181 minutes.
Now we can talk about the ending of Avengers: Infinity War (2018), we’re left with half of all living creatures still here, and the other half disintegrated into ash and gone… With the snap of Thanos’ (Josh Brolin) fingers.
Thanos believed the ones left would thrive. The ones left did not. They could remember. They could grieve.
Endgame (Anthony and Joe Russo returning to direct this final instalment) is a last stand. Again.
Like the fans walking out of the cinema after watching Infinity War, the Avengers left refuse to accept that the ones they love have gone.
It’s an emotive adaptation.
And one that cuts close with the recent loss of creator, Stan Lee.
So the final instalment and conclusion has an added echo, almost from the man himself (cameo included – peace to you too, Stan).
There are so many characters here, that without a bit of background, the final instalment wouldn’t pack the same punch without some prior knowledge. Particularly the previous film (part-one), Infinity War.
I admit I haven’t gotten around to seeing Captain Marvel (2019), but I was able to take this new character, Carol Danvers (Lee Pace) along with the rest of the Avengers story.
But yeah, it’s emotional with Natalie AKA Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) telling Captain America (Chris Evans), ‘This’ll work Steve.’
The Cap replying, ‘I know it will because I don’t know what I’ll do if it doesn’t.’
Even though I’m not a huge fan it’s hard not to get attached to at least some of the characters – hey, there’s enough of them.
Yet the number of characters is handled well – like all the Avenger films.
It’s a long journey (181 minutes), but it’s worthwhile with the action ramping up later in the film to match the emotion of the drama.
I was more impressed with the risk and shock of part-one, Infinity War – the franchise needing a good shake-up.
Here, it’s more about tying off the threads of lines that were left to unravel, to come full circle giving the audience a life-affirming conclusion, a softer landing, I guess: a little like landing on Thors’ new, well-padded belly.