Markus and McFeely’s script allows for some unexpected subversions of certain heroes - including a few choices that will surely be divisive - but fans of the MCU’s holy trinity of Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor should find plenty of iconic moments to satisfy them. The cost of sidelining so many characters is high, but it pays off brilliantly. While Infinity War did its best to juggle an enormous roster of heroes spanning the entirety of the MCU’s history (to mixed results, depending on who you ask), it’s no spoiler to say Endgame rightly narrows its focus to the original six Avengers (with an assist from their fellow survivors), giving them each a well-deserved moment - or several - in the spotlight. Several scenes truly feel like a Jack Kirby splash page come to life, and that’s an utterly exhilarating realization, something that forces you to absorb the sheer scope of what Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige and his team have assembled: an interconnected cinematic endeavor beyond comparison. But it’s hard to view those moments as cynical pandering so much as earned and effective homages to the moments, characters, and relationships we’ve grown so invested in over the past 11 years. There are fewer laugh-out-loud moments here than in Infinity War, but it’s certainly lighter and oftentimes more joyous than you might expect from a story that begins with the fallout from Thanos’ snap.Įndgame is a film that feels like it was made by fans, for fans - to the point where some scenes will undoubtedly be labeled as outright fanservice. In the deft hands of screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, and directors Joe and Anthony Russo, the film walks a tightrope between high drama and cathartic comedy, offering some of the darkest and most emotionally honest scenes in the history of the MCU, alongside some of the most ridiculous and sublime. In Infinity War, Thanos spoke of the need for balance, and Endgame achieves that goal with surprising confidence. There’s little that can be said about the film without at least alluding to its twists, but what I can say, with certainty, is that Avengers: Endgame is a marvel, both in terms of narrative scale and sheer logistical ambition.
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Overall, this is a movie that rewards your knowledge of the MCU in its entirety. If you’re curious, for example, whether you need to have seen Captain Marvel to understand her inclusion here, it's not required viewing in terms of plot but it does give context to her appearance in a way that might otherwise feel a little jarring if this is your first time meeting her. What you take away from Endgame may depend on how deeply you’ve connected with any number of the 21 movies that preceded it. Forget all the external noise from the deliberately vague teaser trailers, perfectly-calibrated celebrity soundbites, and footage leaks, and just strap in for the ride. Obviously, you wouldn’t have clicked on a review of this movie if you didn’t want to know something about the culmination of a decade’s worth of Marvel’s superhero storytelling, but trust me: more than Avengers: Infinity War, more than any Star Wars movie, Endgame is truly a story that needs to be experienced. The less you know going into Avengers: Endgame, the more you’re likely to enjoy it.