Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Anthony and Joe Russo, Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Pictures, M 181 Minutes.
Marvel’s Cinematic Universe has now gone full circle through its final screening of a massive endgame as the remaining Avengers attempt to restore stability to the universe in the much-awaited sequel to the shattering events revealed in ‘Avengers-Infinity War’.
Superbly directed again by the Russo brothers, the three hour blockbuster – with a similar running time to ‘El Cid’ – features all the superheroes beginning with the rescue of Ironman/Tony Stark (Robert Downey) and Nebula (Karen Gillan) by Captain Marvel (Brie Larson).
Back on Earth, Ironman joins those Avengers still standing, namely Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America/Steve Rodgers (Chris Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo),Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Rocket Raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd).
It is now left to this diverse group to restore order to the universe by reversing the disastrous events triggered by Thanos (Josh Brolin) and his six Infinity Stones that resulted in the disappearance of many of the Avengers.
In considering their options, Scott Lang proposes a far-fetched idea involving time travel which requires considerable testing, most importantly the collaboration of Tony Stark who – over the intervening period of five years – has settled down with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow).
On getting Stark’s agreement, the group begins to test Lang’s Quantum Realm time travel premise as pressure mounts on retrieving the Infinity Stones from the past before Thanos can inflict his awesome power that left the universe in ruins.
After securing the Infinity Stones which are then refashioned into a gauntlet similar to that wielded by Thanos, there is a replay of the extraordinary battle scenes shown in ‘Infinity War’.
This time we see the return of those Avengers who disappeared, in particular Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Spiderman (Tom Holland) and Star-Lord (Chris Pratt).
It is as a result of a deadly disagreement between Natasha and Tony, followed by Stark’s courageous confrontation with Thanos in a final fight scene, where a fatal consequence arises for the entire Avengers team.
‘Avengers-Endgame’ is a memorable and moving production of epic proportions from the Russo brothers’ and a fitting finale to the 22 movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe beginning in 2008 with ‘Ironman’ and ‘The Hulk’.
Apart from the enjoyable performances of the major performers there are many entertaining scenes with one that appears in the conclusion, that of Steve Rodgers remaining in the past with his long-lost love Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell).
Vic’s Verdict: 4 ½ Stars
