This is it. The culmination of 11 years and 22 films of deftly placed cinematic groundwork. We’ve had three Avengers films before this. Three films each for Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. Two films each for Ant-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy. A Spider-Man film. A Black Panther film. A Captain Marvel film. And more. All of the characters and storylines that fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have come to know and love have all come crashing together in one epic triumph from the Russo brothers. What makes Avengers: Endgame such a resounding success is not that it has been perhaps the most endlessly hyped release in film history – it’s the fact that it somehow meets and exceeds even the loftiest of expectations.

The endmost film in the MCU’s Infinity Saga effortlessly balances its dizzying quantity of characters, storylines, and subplots; its 182-minutes goes by remarkably fast because it’s incredibly funny, entertaining, and emotionally engaging. But what truly distinguishes Endgame in the realm of superhero movies – and cinema as a whole – is how genuinely, markedly human it is. This is in part due to Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely’s skillful screenwriting in making sure all of the franchise’s longtime characters have satisfying arcs. It also has a lot to do with Anthony and Joe Russo’s emphatic direction. Most of all, though, the cast is what makes the movie as unparalleled as it is. It’s clear that each and every actor and actress involved with Endgame – from Robert Downey Jr. all the way on down – is completely bought in to the franchise’s ambitious vision, and the movie is better for it.

Endgame essentially picks up right where its predecessor – Avengers: Infinity War of one year ago – left off. Three weeks after Thanos successfully collected all six Infinity Stones and wiped out half of all life in the universe, the surviving Avengers reconvene at headquarters to try to figure out a way to bring their fallen comrades back. Given the end of Infinity War, it isn’t too hard for moviegoers to discern which general direction Endgame will go; however, the way it’s executed couldn’t possibly be any better – the plot unfolds brilliantly with equal parts action, comedy, emotion, and nostalgia. The action may not be quite as bright or incessant as that of Infinity War, but it doesn’t need to be – the crucial moments of battle in this film are as momentous as any in the eleven-year history of the MCU. Just as in Infinity War, the comedic moments come early and often, and are almost always well-placed, sandwiched between tense scenes or used by a character to provide levity to an otherwise dire situation. There are certain plot points in the movie that allow the filmmakers to incorporate a delightful element of nostalgia, providing the audience with both a pleasant familiarity and crisp reminder of what these characters have been through. 

In full control of their craft and with a monstrously ambitious approach, directors Anthony and Joe Russo lead a stellar crew of producers, writers, composers, cinematographers, and editors (all of which return from Infinity War). Since the two films are essentially one story broken into two parts, it makes sense that the movie doesn’t follow a traditional “problem, solution, conclusion” narrative setup; instead, the problem was already established in Infinity War. Thus, Endgame finds the heroes already in the throes of trying to create a solution. One of the Russo brothers’ boldest choices with the movie is bookending it with emotionally affecting scenes: the film begins with a hauntingly somber sequence (setting the stage for the multitude of soul-stirring moments to come), while the ending offers a moving conclusion to one of the MCU’s most beloved characters. It’s these moments and others that form the nucleus of what Endgame – and more broadly, The Avengers as a whole – is all about: loss, courage, and sacrifice. Infinity War saw the heroes lose in shocking fashion, and Endgame finds them doing whatever it takes to gain back what they lost. In the truest sense of the word, Endgame is special, and the Russo brothers’ choice to make it last 182 minutes – the longest runtime of any MCU film to date – only accentuates the grandiose nature of it all. This movie isn’t a means to an end. It is the end.

The film takes risks. For a Hollywood blockbuster massive in scale, scope, and ambition to be as sincere, unassuming, and organic as Endgame is an absolute wonder and perhaps the greatest triumph of the movie. In real life, the good guys don’t always win, the effects of evil can be lingering, and not everyone gets a happy ending. Endgame adheres itself to these truths. While many films – yes, even some in the MCU – settle for comforting, unblemished endings, this filmdoes the exact opposite. On the highest possible level, the movie shows what sacrifice truly means. Prior to these last two Avengers films, it would be laughable to think that a superhero film could manifest itself as an exploration of humanity; however, Infinity War and Endgame do exactly that. The tone of the film grabs the viewer’s attention and doesn’t let up for the duration. From the very beginning, the audience can see just how distraught the heroes are – further showing their emotion and that they are just as human as the rest of us. From gloomy expressions to desolate city streets to massive memorial stones for “The Vanished,” Endgame establishes its tone early, brilliantly setting the stage for the MCU’s riskiest, weightiest battle yet.  

Exactly like its title states, Endgame is the end of something. It’s the end of a generation of superhero movies. It’s the end of the MCU’s Infinity Saga, an awe-inspiring run of 22 films that started half as many years ago with 2008’s Iron Man. And finally, it plays as a swan song for some of the most beloved superhero characters in cinematic history, the journeys of whom have been almost universally loved. If Infinity War was the heroes’ struggle to keep each other alive while defeating evil, Endgame is the epic realization that they must do whatever it takes. The movie manages to strike a balance by concluding on an emotionally resonant note while also imbuing the viewer with a distinct sense of hope. For an immense cultural eventto reach the heights this film has is nothing short of unprecedented. Memorable, impactful, and hopeful, Avengers: Endgame is an instant classic – and the MCU’s one true masterpiece.

Rating: 5/5