One of the most mesmerizing Avenger films ever made, Avengers: Infinity Wars will boggle your mind both visually and dramatically. The movie speeds along at a very fast pace from its brutal opening scene to the final moments that challenge your stamina for more. Bouncing from planets to moons to Earth and onward, the mighty superheroes tread on fragile ground as they try to keep the Universe together. Can the mightiest of villains ever faced change destiny and destroy the mighty Avengers? They are the only hope for cosmos survival and you’ll have to wait and see what comes next.
But first and explanation of the infinity gems:
The big purple guy, Thanos (Josh Brolin), wants to become the master of the universe and in order to do that he needs six infinity gems that will give him the powers of “Reality” a red stone that showed up in Thor: The Dark World and alters the truth of what you see, “Power” a purple stone that makes the holder increasingly colossal and had it’s beginning in the film Guardians of the Galaxy, “Space” a blue stone originally shown in Captain America: The First Avenger can be used to move the character throughout the cosmos using portals,
“Mind” a yellow stone that was part of Loki’s staff used to mesmerize his foe so he can read their thoughts in The Avengers, and “Time” a green stone that has magical powers of time travel to use against enemies was brought to the screen in Doctor Strange are the first five. The final stone is “soul” an orange stone that’s the main object needed to compete the set and is the subject of Avengers: Infinity War. The first five stones have a pocket in the knuckles of the infinity glove. Together the stones will help him split the cosmos and destroy his adversaries.
The movie opens with Thanos dealing with Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who has him captive and under restraints (It follows the ending of Thor Ragnarok). But, things are starting to get dicey as Thanos also has Thor (Chris Hemsworth) pined to the deck of his space ship. In a show of solidarity Thanos offers Loki a deal that he cannot refuse. The story shifts to Earth where Thanos has information that the Space and Time stones are there. One of the stones, Time, is in the locket of Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) who right now has the power to resist him. The film goes on from there with Thanos challenging each of the holders of the gems and doing battle them as his power begins to grow.
But first a word about Thanos:
Thanos comes from one of the planet Saturn’s moons called Titan. He has two stones, but depends on Ebony Maw to find the other Infinity Gems. Thanos thrives on the deaths of others and heads up The Black Order that include Proxima Midnight (Carrie Coon), Ebony Maw (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor), Corvus Glaive (Michael James Shaw) and the “Black Dwarf” re-named Cull Obsidian (Terry Notary) for Infinity War. It is also important to know that Thanos is the adoptive parent of Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and each were brought up to be high spirited super killers. Right now Gamora travels with the Guardians of the Galaxy and is the love interest of Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). Nebula is at her home on Titan where she festers over wanting to kill her real father.
You know the rest of the characters from Iron-Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) to Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and each of the players who have been added since the beginning Avengers. Well they nearly all take part in the challenge to defeat Thanos including some new ones from Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). It’s a smash and bash fest with your favorite Marvels taking a swipe at Thanos as he retaliates with some devastating blows. Even Peter Dinklage as Eitri shows up as a giant no less. I love what they did showing him rising tall above the Guardians.
Like all Marvel/Disney films there’s a lot of tongue in cheek comedy and it’s what keeps the interest for both action junkies and Marvel devotees. The best comedy comes from the Guardians of the Galaxy with the wisecracking Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), straight faced Groot (Vin Diesel) and the bumbling Peter Quill. It’s a nice respite from the intense battles. Even Loki gets in the act when he has to decide whether his brother Thor should live or die.
Sure there will be complaints about the scene changes as Thanos moves in and out of worlds as he battles the characters on different planets. It did give me a sense of déjà vu and doubt at times. But, it’s a Marvel Comic for the screen and jumping in and out of conflict is what they do.
The special effects are magnificent and the visuals are realistic and eye popping. Although I did not see the film in 3D, I can imagine how amazing that must be as it looks like a lot of things will be coming at you. Seek out a theater with good Dolby sound for the best experience as the explosiveness of the battles should make your hair stand on end. Talking about special effects, Spider-Man has a surprise for you, yup! I was wondering when Marvel would reveal it.
While this one seems to be the end of it all, you’ll have to hold your breath for part two in 2019. The Marvel and DC Universe never ends and even in this year we’ll get to see episodes of Deadpool in May, Ant Man in July, Venom in October, and Spider-Man 3 and Aquaman (DC) in December. For those who want to chase their superhero dreams, you have a lot to look forward to.
Avengers: Infinity War has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references. Be wary of allowing immature children to see the film as the violence is very real looking.
FINAL ANALYSIS: One of the better first halves of a movie sequel. (4 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt.
Directed by: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Screenplay written by: Christopher Markus
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references
Running Time: 2 hrs. 29 min.
Release Date: 4-27-18
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Released in: Standard 2D, 3D, IMAX 2D and IMAX 3D
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
