Avengers: Endgame Review – A Powerful but Imperfect Finale

Avengers: Endgame is one of the most anticipated movies in recent memory. From the start, Marvel Studios made fans aware that the movies were building towards an epic story as part of their ambitious, shared cinematic universe. Respecting the source material, Marvel Studios adapted a roster of comic book superheroes for a modern audience. As fans became more invested which each new franchise, including superheroes that were not widely popular, Marvel’s momentum continued to grow. With Endgame, not only has the anticipation greatly risen so has the expectation for an emotionally satisfying and meaningful conclusion to the Infinity Stones story line.

Avengers: Infinity War – The good, the big bad and the snuggly

A local radio DJ talked about how much he liked Avengers: Infinity War. He was able to follow what was happening in the film despite not being a big comic book movie fan. I’m a little surprised that someone with a passing interest in superhero films could wrap their head around a fairly complex universe that consists of 18 films prior. I would say a good handful of these films would be prerequisites to fully appreciate what Marvel is accomplishing with Avengers: Infinity War. I’m not sure if the radio DJ was trying to be funny when he asked “how come Wonder Woman is not in this?”

My perspective is from having watched the Marvel Films. Sure, some of them fell short of expectations. That’s not the case with Avengers: Infinity War, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable film. At the same time, I can understand why not everyone is on board with it.

I won’t be repeating what I wrote in Avengers: Infinity War Review. Check it out, it captures my thoughts the same day I watched it. I will expanding on some other points below now that I’ve had a couple of days to process it.

Battle Of The Movies: Iron Man (2008) vs Ant-Man (2015)

Which is Marvel Studio’s best solo origin movie? That’s a question worth discussing after Ant-Man became a refreshing summer blockbuster.

There’s certainly fan support for Captain America: The First Avenger, The Incredible Hulk and Thor. But to prevent an all out civil war, this post will focus on what many regard are the two top contenders for best solo debut movie.

Time to pick a side! It’s a battle of the movies between Iron Man (2008) versus Ant-Man (2015). After going head to head in several categories such as Story, Heroes and Villains we’ll turn the floor over to the people’s decision (that’s you!) for your all important vote.

Avengers Assemble New Movie Trailer HD

“We’re not a team. We’re a timebomb”. Just when you thought you couldn’t get more excited about Marvel’s Avengers movie, the new trailer explodes with intense action, gorgeous special effects and great one-liners. Thor Vs Captain America? Love the fact that all these giant egos are not gonna get along at first. Check out the new trailer below! (UK release date is April 26. US and Canada release day is May 4). What’s that huge flying thing at the very end?

The Avengers Superbowl Extended New Trailer 2012

 

“We got a Hulk”. Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark is getting all the best lines! Scarlet Johansson/Black Widow’s little-bitty gun cracks me up when she’s standing next to Thor’s hammer and Captain America’s shield. Check out the EPIC trailer below!

My Top 5 Anticipated Movies of 2012

Here are the top 5 movies we’re looking forward to in 2012.

3. The Avengers

Release Date: May 4, 2012

Director: Joss Whedon

The Avengers is the ultimate superhero ensemble movie featuring Marvel’s Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, Nick Fury, Black Widow, Hulk and Iron Man. Despite all the star power and hollywood hype, undertaking such a movie could easily result in a mindless spectacle of special effects and ultra-tight costumes. When announced that Joss Whedon (TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly) was set to write the screenplay and direct The Avengers, it was met with both skepticism and joyful squeals. With only one feature film director’s credit in his resume at the time, it’s a surprising choice to have Whedon take on a movie that is rumored to have one of the biggest budgets in motion picture history. However, Whedon has a track record of crafting stories with meaningful character development in his TV series and has already developed a solid working relationship with Marvel as writer of the critically acclaimed Astonishing X-Men comics.

One of the biggest challenges of The Avengers is to give each character a real purpose in being a part of the story and to find a villain that could credibly threaten the superheroes. In a recent interview, director Joss Whedon discussed that the story will be told mainly from the viewpoint of Captain America, the first avenger, “since he’s the guy that just woke up and sees this weird-ass world” rather than trying to dilute multiple perspectives into one movie.  New to Marvel’s franchise, is actor Mark Ruffalo who is taking on the role of the “you won’t like me when I’m angry” Hulk. Ruffalo’s characterisation will reportedly follow the TV show’s version of helping people in need rather than the other two feature film versions that had Bruce Banner obsessed with finding a cure for himself. Reprising his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark is Robert Downey Jr. and judging by the trailers it will be a lot of fun seeing him deliver Whedon’s classic one-liners and snarky witticisms. Early reports had Loki, Thor’s brother, as the “big bad” however there will be a secondary villain not yet featured in the trailers.