Avengers: Endgame - EveryFilmIWatch Review

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Endgame marks the crowning moment (the final instalment) of the now-just-passed Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase One. It’s a giddy, hyper-Hollywood affair with a massive, massive cast all brought back to give the hardcore fans of the world the finale they want. The word finale is apt. The MCU is essentially functioning as a TV series at this point. Some episodes focus on one character giving cameos to the others, but at the end of it all it’s one story arc stretched taught over a decade with a fan base as committed, if not more, as for titan series like Friends, House, Seinfeld, Grey's Anatomy etc.

Endgame is a spectacular feat and a below-average film. The hysteria it generates is Potteresque, to the point where people in the cinema were crying out in ecstasy at the arrival of heroes, even if they only appear for a few seconds, and sobbing at the demise of some of the long-standing characters. The power the studio wields is immense; the cast they assemble (sorry) and the gargantuan storyline they wrestle into place demonstrate an unparalleled commercial savvy. They have made a film three hours in length that pre-teens will happily sit through. It’s slick to a level that is difficult to comprehend. A bulletproof example of Hollywood domination, a testament to the almighty force of big studio cinema.

As a film though, from the perspective of someone who isn’t gaga over seeing their favourite superheroes, it’s pretty baggy; this film managed to feel simultaneously overlong and still full of leaps of logic. The plotline is bursting with flaws that, in any other film, would be utterly irreconcilable. The acting, I must say, is strong from almost all of the enormous cast; you can tell how much they care. The soundtrack is still about as beige as it comes, the direction and cinematography extremely bland, Thanos is a complete caricature and the boom-crash war scenes just a mess of CGI madness. But it just doesn’t matter. The monumental cinematic shortcomings are swept aside by a tidal wave of fan loyalty. It’s not good filmmaking, but it’s something completely unique, and that’s worth recognising, applauding even.

EveryFilmIWatch is multi-channel film review project run by Sebastian Cox, ScriptUp co-founder. Further reviews can be found on Instagram.