Avengers: Infinity War: Review

Ten years and nineteen films later Avengers: Infinity War finally arrives. Arguably one of hollywood's most top secret projects the latest Marvel blockbuster stars over twenty superheroes - so secret only Benedict Cumberbatch, Pom Klementieff, Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans were trusted to keep their lips sealed tight enough to have full sight of the entire script. In this breathtaking conclusion to the MCU, the Avengers are forced to set aside their differences and work hand in hand to stop murderous ultra baddie Thanos from collecting the six infinity stones intending to lay waste to the universe and murder half of its population.

A franchise ten years in the making, the MCU's journey reaches a climatic end in the devastating spectacle that is Avengers: Infinity War. Though it's tough if not impossible to juggle such a significantly large volume of characters in a story that stays focussed, the wonderful Russo Brothers yet again prove they are the best at what they do. Combining the cosmic comedy of the Guardians of the Galaxy flawlessly with the equally big headed Iron Man and Doctor Strange, Infinity War somehow balances all these contrasting tones, surpassing all Marvel's previous issues and delivering what is absolutely their biggest, best and most bizarre picture to date. 

Infinity War runs the gauntlet of twists and turns across a one-hundred and fifty minute run time that simply blows by. Similar to The Last Jedi, the film diverts all expectations and rips the Marvel playbook in half. Revealing what must be the best hidden screenplay secret in recent times, Infinity War shuts down any and all of the many theories and speculation at the "snap of its fingers". Whether you're seeing this as a hard core Marvel fanatic, trying to avoid spoilers like the plague or otherwise a casually interested filmgoer, nothing can really prepare you for the shock, thrill or genuine heart break Infinity War brings you.

Although the plot and action sequences are done to their best possible effect, even by Marvel's standard, the greatest aspect of Infinity War is the culmination of our beloved hero's stories and the fate that unfolds for each of them. If you ever thought the wisecracking Tony Stark would be left speechless you were wrong. Witnessing Iron Man's exuberantly overinflated ego butt heads with Doctor Strange is something quite spectacular to behold, as well as Thor who almost impossibly joins Rocket and a moody Teen Groot to quite honestly steal the show. 

Marvel confidently brush off their recent issues involving a repetitive formula and often irritating comedic timing - think Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther. The story taken at face value seems rather simple, but the complexity of Josh Brolin's Mad Titan Thanos enables the film to rise above the standard law of diminishing returns superhero template. His insane reasoning doesn't seem that ridiculous though he and his intentions are repulsive and detestable - to save one half of the universe by destroying the other. It may have been a long time coming but Marvel have by far their greatest and most dangerous villain, one I imagine will be hard to top. 

Somehow after ten years Marvel achieve something that is way above anything they've ever created before. Across nineteen films they've delivered a fabulously kick-ass narrative, but very few outings have promised genuine and lasting impact as Infinity War - the ultimate electrifying spectacle that lays everything out on the table. Amazingly they achieve perfect fluidity, overcoming a seemingly choppy structure by effortlessly zig zagging across the galaxy. Avengers: Infinity War loudly and proudly delivers the MCU's defining feature, one that has most certainly changed the comic book movie game for good. 

Avengers: Infinity War:

Amazing