Cinematic Supremacy

It’s been six years since we saw a group of individually likeable superhero’s first congregate with each other in the form of Avengers Assemble that was as good as the audience’s hype for it suggested. From that time, Marvel have continued to assert their cinematic dominance by producing an array of super-heroic features that have smashed box-office records, turned unknown or unlikable characters into fan-favourites, and have been bold enough to articulate stories that are distinctively appealing in their own right. Indeed, there’s no going around the notion that the cinematic universe which Marvel have constructed for the last ten years, starting with Jon Favreau’s Iron Man in 2008, is a franchise behemoth that many like-minded and ambitious series of films would like to emulate. How fitting of them then, to consolidate their blockbuster supremacy by introducing their grand end-game, Avengers: Infinity War; a tremendously ambitious cinematic-outing that dispenses any familiar personal growth or ideological conflict with a premise which see’s nearly all of Marvel’s figure-heads clashing to save the universe’s impending doom…

For as long as they’ve been around, the Avengers and their close allies have always managed to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle. However, a new and imposing danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A tyrant of intergalactic notoriety and iniquity, Thanos’ goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, mystical artefacts of unimaginable power, to inflict his twisted will on all reality and cease half of the universe as we know it. The fate of the planet and existence itself has never been more uncertain as everything the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and a select few of other heroes have fought for, has led to this very moment…

Touted as the endgame of phase three in Marvel’s mammoth of a cinematic universe, Joe & Anthony Russo’s further involvement in the MCU by making Avengers: Infinity War is predominantly justified here, since the said film significantly matches the sky-high expectations that devoted fans and general audiences alike have naturally permeated by displaying moments of super-heroic grandeur and shock; awe-inspired revelations that mimic the surprising events depicted in The Empire Strikes Back. As highlighted in the introduction, rather than opting for a concept that is solely driven by the central characters journey and the varying degree’s of optimism and success that follow, Infinity War makes itself known quite early on as a culmination of already established individuals and stories that threatens to break the known status quo, rather than riding the formulaic wave. While the film opens with Marvel’s signature opening crawl, and marking the fact that they’ve been distributing films of this box-office breaking calibre for ten years, the opening minutes are designed to shift any anticipated discrepancies away and boldly stamps its mark; metaphorically telling the audience to wrap themselves into the cinema chairs they’re sat on. Yet, as good as Infinity War delights its fan-fare with an opening sequence that is neatly followed-up in the story’s entirety, one of the main reasons why the Russo’s film works so well, despite it being a sequential bout for two hours and thirty minutes, is the structuring and pacing and how all of the loveable protagonists shown get their time in the limelight. In similar vein to Star Wars: Episode V, the structure of Infinity War solely relies on its unlikely varying team-ups and the dramatic stakes that each one of the groups are respectively tasked in handling. Whilst we have the ‘father-son’ dynamic of Iron-Man and Spider-Man being fleshed-out, traversing through the cosmos in trying to stop the Mad Titan along with Doctor Strange who shares some good moments with the known duo, there are equally satisfying moments between all of Marvel’s known roster; whether it’s Thor interacting with the Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time or Captain America teaming-up with Black Panther in Wakanda. As understandably confusing as it might seem for a general audience member who hasn’t seen all of the MCU films and doesn’t have any comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationships between characters and the preceding films they were in, for fans of this film series, it’s certainly a magical event and not just an average blockbuster. Although the grandiose moments between these heroes fighting off their respective foes naturally imbues excitement, especially when the film has a exuberant way of melding these moments of high-tension at the correct moments by ending one perspective and into introducing another scene of high-stakes at the same time, it’s the more subtle moments between characters interacting with one another that are more enjoyable to perceive. Whether it’s Iron-Man meeting and talking with Doctor Strange for the first time or Thor and the Guardians doing the same, there’s so much glee in simply watching these characters cooperate that it never remotely wears thin. Each of the newly found relationships that ultimately form feel natural and long-awaited and it’s to the Russo’s credit in accordingly balancing of all these intriguing separate arcs into a seamless and wondrous whole. Though, there are times when you return to a scene only to realise you were so invested in the previous one that you’re disappointed to move onward (this goes especially for the ending which rather pulls the rug underneath you!…).

In every sense of the word, Infinity War is the Avengers sequel that devoted-fans have been itching for since the Russo Brothers’ film applies what Avengers Assemble initially introduced, but on a much grander and bigger scale (unlike what Age of Ultron didn’t do). As mentioned, we know that the manipulation of the structure helps to convey this. However, it’s equally imperative to state that the presence of Thanos adds to Infinity War’s majesty in providing a true threat to our ensemble of protagonists. After being unveiled in Avengers Assemble post-credit scene, it can’t go unnoticed how Marvel were under considerable pressure to make Thanos worth the wait; since comic die-hards knew the severity and power of the Mad Titan and what he could potentially do to the universe. Yet, from the get-go, Thanos stamps his mark by either pummelling our heroes to the ground or providing monologues in a charismatic and effective tone. It’s fair to say that Marvel, not intentionally, have earned the reputation of being a studio with select films that don’t have a varied assortment of fascinating villains. Only in the last few films, in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok and Black Panther, have Marvel presented antagonists that have either had a moral sympathy to them or a charisma/ideology that makes the respective hero think on their own beliefs and actions. To an extent, Thanos proceeds to do the same. Similar to the way in which Magneto’s impetus in any of the X-Men films or comics is to create a world in his own image, Thanos has an oddly relatable conviction that you love to hate. By no means is he the good guy here, he is mad. Yet, an argument can be made that Infinity War is just as much a Thanos story, rather than an Avengers one. The solution he see’s and tries to pursue is out-rightly maniacal, yet his commitment to a cause that’s arguably understandable is absolute and this is thanks to both Josh Brolin’s compelling and demanding tone he presents as Thanos and the visual effects which expressively capture the said actor’s nuanced facial expressions in a realistic fashion. If there’s one sting to be had with the character, it’s the sequences that involve him and Gamora, who both share a complicated past as exhibited in this film. While these moments between Thanos and Gamora provide necessary depth to someone who hasn’t been properly been in a major player in past features, they surmise to be scenes of monotonous padding that the film could have done without or been refined in some manner.

As for the rest of the cast, it’s hard to disregard any of the major players here, since the majority of the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy get their moments to shine. Whether your favourite character is Iron-Man or even Mantis, each character has their own juncture to either do something that’s heroic or feasibly funny. Without spoiling much of Infinity War’s key plot points and inevitabilities, one of the more intersting themes that encompasses the characterisation of this film, is this idea of sacrifice and the despair that comes along with giving-up the thing you love the most. Amidst the Mad Titan’s ‘humanity’ aspect that somewhat gives him a relatable nature, Thanos’ malevolent genius is to use the protagonists mutual and moral ideologies against one another. His willingness to enforce his deadly deed is paramount, be he knows that others are not so determined with this vision. Threaded within the story, there are moments when the film tries to force one particular character to make concessions to save a life, and over and over again they try to live-up to their ‘good’ standards as heroes. This, ultimately, paves the way for bolder and darker story that the MCU have never told before and makes for an impending outcome that’s, although is expected, different and heartbreaking at the same time. To counterbalance the dark undertones of ‘sacrifice’ and even Thanos’ apocalyptic methodology on utilitarianism, the welcoming inclusion of the many comical gestures provide for some hilarious moments that will linger with you long after watching. From Tony Stark making quick-quips on a certain characters appearances to Thor or one of the Guardians providing one-liners to a certain situation, the implementation of the comedy feels natural with every character and it never once distracts you from the severity that they’re faced with. If there’s one negligence to perceive in relation to Infinity War’s characterisation, it’s the inclusion of Thanos’ Black Order minions who also pose a threat to our heroes. While they do pose a threat to a select few Avengers members, there’s never really an instance where you feel that they’re going to do anything that’s extreme to what Thanos does from scene-to-scene. It certainly doesn’t either, that they all look like rejects that were taken from Peter Jackson’s Hobbit franchise.

With Infinity War nimbly going across the cosmos from one group to the next, acutely depicting various sequences that coalesce with one another, it’s easy to overlook the visual formalities that the Russo Brothers try to introduce; considering that there’s so much happening and it’s hard to pay attention to every minute detail. Yet, what’s arguable to consider when looking at the many grand sequences that comprise this film, is how Infinity War may be one of the select few Marvel films that occupy an expressive visualisation to their battle sequences that feels as though you’re watching a comic-strip being brought to life. In exploiting the use of the IMAX cameras, the Russo Brothers conform by naturally embedding a lush frame that not a lot of preceding Marvel films can say they’ve had the privileged of adopting. However, what’s enticing are the action sequences themselves. Rather than needlessly fast-cutting from many different angles of a single fight, it’s clear to fathom that the aforesaid directors have learnt as film-makers from their days making Winter Soldier and Civil War since we’re presented with bombastic and continuous takes in Infinity War that shows the body movements and other objects in a clear yet vivid way. While this is only a subtle change to the proceedings, it’s a meticulous construct which adds to the films colossal feel.

Considering Marvel’s ten-year longevity in providing an assortment of films that have given us intriguing story-lines, compelling characters and themes that audiences can relate with, Avengers: Infinity War compiles everything fans and general audiences have appreciated of the MCU and have upholded gargantuan expectations by competently showcasing loved characters in a thrilling and emotional way. Whereas many general cinema-goers will see the Russo Brothers film as just another Marvel blockbuster, admirer’s will gleam with satisfaction that this final entry of Marvel’s phase three not only balances a dizzying array of characters rather coherently, but also manages to implement a villain in the form of Thanos that somewhat resolves the MCU’s antagonist problems. Much to same vein what Empire Strikes Back did, Infinity War is both shocking and exciting at the same time. Shocking in the fact that harrowing events occur that you didn’t see coming, but also exciting since certain scenarios are left to audiences interpretation and leaves the future Marvel films in a state of incognito…

On that note, it’s time for me to end this week’s Film Review. As always everyone, thank you for reading my latest Film Review of Avengers: Infinity War and I hope you’ve all enjoyed the read! 😉 If anyone has an opinion on either the film or the review itself, you’re more than welcome to share your thoughts down below. Considering that Infinity War marks the fact that I’ve now done 100 film reviews ever! I will be doing a very special Film Review next week to celebrate this feat; an animated-feature that happens to be one of my favourite films. Anywho, thank you for reading this week’s Blog Post once again and I hope you all have a nice weekend! Adieu! 😏😈💪👊💥

★★★★★ – Alex Rabbitte