Avengers: Endgame review: Am I mad or glad?

Avengers Endgame has been one of the most hyped films of the year, after the beauty and heartbreak that was Infinity war. Everywhere you went and most likely everyone you talked to was excited or ‘not ready for it.’

And for good reason. Firstly because Endgame destroyed box office records with a $1.2 Billion opening weekend. And second, because it was a brilliant film.

The film was definitely ambitious, and in some ways, it does deliver; it splashes its ambitious three-hour narrative across a canvas of characters, eras and challenges that will remain with its audiences forever. And it does tie together the epic 22 film saga to a close in a confident and mostly coherent climax which for some franchises, has been hard to do. (Looking at you Divergent).

However, there are some elements to it that did irritate me slightly, and I understand that not every film is perfect, there are some things that did not quite hit the mark for me.

There is just so much to talk about, that I have decided to compile it into lists. The things I was glad about and the things I was mad about.

Things I’m Glad About:

1. The First 20 minutes.

I loved the first twenty minutes, any expectations had for the film because of the promotional material? Throw them out of the window because the trailers were all in the first twenty minutes. Captain Marvel coming to rescue Tony, Brilliant! What a great way to use her. Tony confronting the rest of the Avengers? Needed. No nonsense and just jumping into the thick of things? A good move, a great way to get the audience invested even more.

2. Thor.

As much as Thor was made out to be a comedic feature of the film with him gaining weight, I found that it was a very nuanced portrayal of depression. The man had lost everything and felt like a failure, of course, he is going to want to eat, drink and play video games. It is a human response.

I also enjoyed his moments with his mother and him realising he is in fact, still worthy, he did not have to lose weight or anything, he just had to find himself again and I feel like that is a message everyone needs in light of our contemporary moment.

3. Black Widow.

She shone in this film for me, the way she held herself and took care of everyone, she didn’t give up. Her heading the command centre for a post-snap Avengers is very apt for her.

She cleared up her red in a beautiful way, and the women of Marvel would not be the women of Marvel without her.

They finally allowed Natasha to peel away the impassive exterior and she was human, with human reactions and emotions.

4. The Heroes Entrance.

That entrance had me hitting my friend next to me and screaming! When Sam said ‘on your left’, my heart started pounding in excitement as I am sure others did too.

5. Morgan Stark

Morgan Stark was a beautiful part of Endgame and one of the most heart-wrenching. Whilst, adorable and funny she was also the exact print of Tony’s child and you can’t help but feel that when she stares at you it is tony stating back at you. The casting director needs a raise.

6. Tony’s sacrifice.

Did I hate this? Yes. Was I heartbroken? Also yes. However, Tony’s sacrifice is an indictment of everything Thanos has ever done and said. Thanos sacrificed his child to save the world for himself, Tony sacrificed himself to save the world for his children. Tony showed how much of a hero he is.

And now; The Things I’m Mad About:

1.Hulk Story Line.

I’m mad about this because Infinity War opened up a potential storyline between Hulk and Bruce and their discrepancies. Their feud continued throughout the duration of the film, only for it to be resolved with a time jump and for comic relief. Narrative wise, I wasn’t impressed.

2. Black Widow.

Natasha was an amazing character in this film and she finally got to shine. Only for the Russo brothers to play her dirty and to not give her the funeral she rightfully deserved. Yes, we had people mourning her, but she was not given a moment of rest or at least a symbol of everything she had accomplished.

3.Thor.

Thor Ragnarok made Thor funny, Endgame made Thor a joke. Why was there so much emphasis on his weight gain? Why was there a need for it to be a comedic feature? This man lost everything and would most likely have PTSD from his experiences, why was there a need to make fun of him?

4. Steve Rodges going back in time.

Not only did this make no logical sense because what happens to the current storyline now that he has done this? It also reduces an amazing and well – written character arc. Steve Rodgers remained true to his beliefs and began adjusting to the modern world. He changed and did bad things in the name of taking care of Bucky. He became flawed and redeemable. He buried Peggy and began to move on.

Sending Steve back in time reduces his arc of transformation and everything he became in the Infinity Saga. Not only that, but he reduced Peggy Carter’s arc too as she became a husband and child and Steve would never have originally interfered with that or her life. It was out of character, sentimental, but out of character.

5. Captain Marvel.

Where was she? Why was she so hyped up if she was barely in the film?

6. Hawkeye Storyline.

So, we are not going to properly address the fact that he murdered many people? Or the hairstyle?

Looking at the lists, the goods do outweigh the bad. And Endgame was a brilliant movie, however, there are massive plot holes and it could have been more coherent. Nevertheless, it was a good film.

Avengers Endgame can be described as a compulsory family event. You know you have to show your face, you do with high expectations and it has its dull moments and its great moments, but you end up with money from family members so you’re glad you went anyway.

I loved the Infinity Saga no matter what, and I am looking forward to seeing what else Marvel throws at us.

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