The final chapter in first phase of the MCU is finally here, Marvel’s Avengers: Endgame!
Below, Media Hype‘s Shahbaz Malik and Genevieve Enright dissect what they thought of the epic conclusion.
It’s over! Was the wait worth it?
Shahbaz: Hell yes! I really loved how they closed the 22 movie legacy off. It really felt like it came full circle. There are of course some mild flaws but overall yes the wait was worth it.
Genevieve: I thought it was fitting that they released it a year after Infinity War, and only a month after Captain Marvel. It almost felt like Infinity War Part 2, except that it was an ode to the overall investment of the MCU, which started with the risk in releasing Iron Man 11 years ago.
Did you see the story panning out the way it did or were you surprised?
Shahbaz: I actually was completely taken aback with how it dealt with things and didn’t even theorise the way it planned out. There were some major shocks I did not see coming and some developments which I predicted whilst watching or theorised before seeing the film.
Genevieve: I knew it had to tie up all the loose ends, and that it would deal majorly with loss and grief, and rueful feelings of knowing that they could have done better contrasted against their earlier optimism in previous films. Earlier movies you can feel a sense that they’re always going to pull through no matter the odds, whereas here they were stacked the highest that they’d ever been so you knew that there would be sacrifices and that not everybody would make the final scene.
What moment shocked/surprised you the most?
Shahbaz: Without giving too much away. I was quite upset and shook by a certain death. I also did not predict a certain characters fate (*SPOILER* for those who have seen it, it’s the last major character who appears on-screen) which actually left me more satisfied then originally thought.
Genevieve: Equally, THAT death shocked me somewhat. Hawkeye/Clint Barton’s arc was an interesting take on the story, because I felt like he’s always been under-utilised given his incredible, mortal skills and he dealt with his grief independently of the remaining characters. In the first Avengers he’s manipulated by Loki and here he falls prey to similar predator instincts. His story felt the most human, so I was surprised in a good way by that.
Fave character?
Shahbaz: Id have to say Captain America here which is quite odd for me as I wasn’t a fan of the original film. Gosh this is so hard actually, I liked everyone in the film but was kind of letdown by Thor (who is my all time fave Avenger)… you have to watch to find out why.
Genevieve: Cap’s always been my favourite since the very day he was made into a soldier. I’ve felt he has this old-fashioned, gentleman-like approach to his duty and he has always strived to make what he believes to be the best decision, although you sense he’s missed out on the life he felt he never had, almost as if he’s been cheated of true happiness. Plus, he and Iron Man are the alphas with the best internal conflict in the group so to see their progression and relationship develop in the end was sweet.
Worst character?
Shahbaz: Another hard one but if I had to pick it would actually be Captain Marvel. She was so great in her solo film but I felt she was heavily under-utilised here.
Genevieve: Agreed, although she’s so powerful that to use her would resemble a deus ex machina device and so she had to be used sparingly here to let the originals have their run. The haircut was a little distracting as well, although comic book fans might resent me for that.
How did you feel about the deaths in the film (without giving too much away), were they justified? *SPOILERS WITHIN*
Shahbaz: I felt one of the deaths was fitting and heroic that fit into the whole full circle thing but the other I’m not too sure about – It was very heroic but I just wish they got to see another day. Darn, finales are an emotional roller coaster.
Genevieve: I’m glad that the run time was 3 hours and that the end battle gave a final picture of who was left, because otherwise it would have undermined the sense of hopelessness and desolation that Infinity War established. The first death was completely necessary for this character’s redemption, but it was equally sad because the group was the family they never had. I had hopes for their life after the final assignment. The second was heroic but not tragic, and really was a testament to the 11 years of the MCU, and what it meant for everyone involved in the lead up to the end.
What did you think of the film as a whole and what would you rate it?
Shahbaz: It was EPIC! It’s every Marvel fan boy and girl’s fantasy come true and more. While it does have some mild flaws (because who’s perfect right?!) it is a fitting send-off for some of our most beloved superheroes. 8.5/10
Genevieve: It ended the way it had to, with some elegant finishing touches and amazing throwbacks to key moments of the previous films that perhaps you forgot about or were excited to relive . Notwithstanding its bathos moments, such as the surprising transformation of Thor, it felt like the culmination of everything that a superhero movie should be-epic, climatic and heartbreaking. 8/10
What did you think of the final chapter in the Marvel juggernaut? Let us know on Facebook.
Avengers: Endgame is in cinemas now.
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