For years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has enthralled the world on a global scale, bringing people together as they root for their favourite characters, brought to life from the beloved Marvel Comics. During this time, The Avengers have remained the heart and soul of the films, serving as both pop culture staples and beacons of light during trying ages. Avengers: Endgame is the much-awaited finale of all finales, acting as an end(ish) to the film series, and uniting millions together to properly bid Earth’s mightiest heroes a proper goodbye.
Endgame follows after a series of relatively clumsy movies; both Civil War and Infinity War left a hollow sort of feeling, although the latter notoriously tugged at the heartstrings for its multiple character deaths. Besides this, Endgame also was marketed relentlessly, and faced an immense amount of pressure to properly send off a team that the world had grown to know and love. Remarkably, the film manages to face this pressure head-on, and delivers an ending and much more.
Oh, and spoilers. Be warned.
It’s in the Quiet Moments
After Thanos (Josh Brolin) had wiped away half of all life on Earth with a snap of his fingers, the Avengers were left with half their team blown to dust and the other half visibly hopeless. Endgame starts relatively soon after this course of events, with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) on a spaceship, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) turning to alcohol, and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) going on a vigilante journey to distract from his deceased family. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) has managed to combine his Hulk-ness and his human form, and the only two who seem to be on somewhat consistent speaking terms are Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Captain America (Chris Evans).
The fact that the film begins with the team so separated from one another – and remaining that way for much of the beginning – allows for the audience to really settle into life after Thanos, and dive into each of the Avengers’ worlds individually. So much of the previous films had emphasized the idea of a team, with Avengers serving as a sort of collective unit. Although they work well together, being able to witness their lives on a quieter scale not plagued by gunfire and explosions, brings to light the people behind the team. We are able to experience their heartache after so many of their loved ones were torn away from them. It’s in the details – Tony’s malnourished form, Natasha breaking down over a futile hunt for Clint, Thor’s growing beer belly and matted beard.
Really, we are reminded that underneath all the pizzazz, they are human beings (well, for the most part) grieving like anyone would. Seeing the physical manifestation of this grief was not only jarring to the eye, but also allowed for the audience to settle into a lulling ache for much of the first act. We want them to succeed, and to get up and try again. But we also can see how tired they really are and, honestly, who would blame them for taking a step down?
Enter Ant-Man (Paul Rudd).
A Battle Bigger than The Avengers
Over the years, we have grown to love Marvel heroes outside of the Avengers. From Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) to the Guardians of the Galaxy, there is a plethora of characters that make up the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starting with Scott Lang, Endgame is able to gracefully maneuver these stories into the final battle with Thanos, allowing for a web of an army, worlds colliding and teams mixing together.
Although we know who we will probably be saying goodbye to, it is not only realistic but also fitting that the Avengers have some help in their quest to right Thanos’s genocide. This not only works logistically, but also serves as major nostalgia fuel, as we see majorly-adored figures filling our screen: the music swells, they ready their weapons, and boom! Attack. Time is a major factor in Endgame – more specifically, travelling through it and the worry of it running out. Bringing all of Marvel together adds another element; many of us see our childhoods and adolescence played out on the silver screen. As the team travels through their universe, they travel through much of the movies that make up the MCU itself. It allows for Endgame to be a culmination of something greater than even the Avengers.
The time element also allows each character to explore not only their present and future, but the pasts that made them who they are today. We see them interacting with many forgotten figures in their lives, learning about each other in an aching way (as the other person is often unaware of their existence altogether). It works comically, such as when Cap has to fight his past self, but also tragically, with Tony running into his father before his birth.
The End of the World is Darkly Comedic
It would have been a mistake to have made the final film in the Avengers series a cutthroat serious one, seeing as so much of what stands out about the team and about previous films was the comedy, and the lighthearted banter amongst all the bloodshed. Luckily, the Russo Brothers do not shy away from the quips and references. Thor plays Fortnite, Scott is visibly clueless when Steve and Tony discuss Avengers-related happenings without paying him any mind, and there are pop culture references galore. Although much of this is in the lighter first half of the film, it does well to ease some tension and allow for audiences to settle comfortably into a three hour venture.
Nothing brings people together like comedy, and a full theatre full of roaring laughter as grown-ups try to figure out a deathly serious situation is a warming thing to be a part of. There are even multiple references to Marvel movies prior, bringing much-loved jokes back gracefully. It avoids coming off as tacky, rather hitting a more our world has ended so what do we have left to lose? kind of note.
Of course, as we all were aware, the jokes could not last forever, and they quickly wavered off into the background of the final showdown with Thanos. The manipulation of time was rather clever in the sense that it often lulled viewers into a false sense of security before bringing back the anxiety with a vengeance. Any relief was short-lived, and the stakes rose higher with every passing minute. Natasha’s sacrifice was the biggest turning point in terms of tone, and for good reason, as we witness her and Hawkeye struggle on a suicide mission, trying to ensure the other would come back alive. I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a theatre go from laughter to deathly silence so quickly, with the exception of everyone’s hearts hammering. Even as characters deceased rose from the ashes (literally), a sense of dread was never quite lifted from the screen; we knew it was coming down to a final battle, and that someone would not be coming back alive.
Iron Man AKA Tony Stark AKA Robert Downey Jr. himself has served as the forefront of the Avengers and the Marvel universe since its very inception with Iron Man (2008). A decade later, Tony Stark’s last battle was a personal one with Thanos himself. While the rest of the heroes around him were battling Thanos’s army, Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) turned to Tony and warned him: one. Their one chance to win lay with him. Tony Stark who, for much of his life claimed to be all about himself, makes the ultimate sacrifice for 50% of humanity: his own life. One Avenger down, and now another.
There wasn’t a single dry eye onscreen or off, and for good reason. Tony’s death might have saved the world, but he left behind a world better because of his very existence. It didn’t really seem like the end; I half expected him to pop out of a suit somewhere, all grandeur and sarcasm. But it was the end for him and for Natasha and, although heart-wrenching, it was a marvelously grand sendoff to the film series. Steve was able to chase after his one true love, Pepper and their daughter (yes, you heard right, daughter) changed forever, Thor chasing after who he really is, and the Captain America title being given to Sam (Anthony Mackie). Thanos may have lost, but their final battle changed the very framework of the Avengers, for better or for worse.
Endgame: A Fitting End
Three hours of time-altering fights, blood, promises made, promises kept, and death – all culminating in a spectacular end to a decade’s worth of beloved movies. Endgame somehow manages to tie it all together without any loose ends, emotionally or logistically. Each character was thoughtfully explored; they all had their own goals and storylines, which stood out independently and as part of a whole. The film made us laugh without losing sight of the seriousness at hand, and was one of the best superhero films to come out in a long, long time.
It’s hard to imagine moving forward without so many iconic characters, especially with the actors playing them, but Endgame is equal parts a satisfying end as it is an homage to films onward. Superheroes have always been about hope, especially for those who are ignored by society, and how anyone has the power to make a change, whether it be positive or negative. Although it was seemingly lost somewhere in years’ previous box-office glory, Avengers: Endgame is able to bring it right back, and without anything lost along the way. It’s hard to tell what’s next; how will the Marvel films continue without Iron Man? Black Widow? Captain America? We might not know, but it’s easy to see the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in good hands.
What are your thoughts on Avengers: Endgame?
Avengers: Endgame was released in theatres on April 26th, 2019.
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