ReelBob: ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ ★★★½
By Bob Bloom
Three takeaways from “Avengers: Infinity War.”First,
it is one hell of a rip-snorting action movie.
Two, it ties up many loose threads from previous movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Three, it lays the groundwork for new directions and for the MCU.
“Avengers: Infinity War” is a game-changer. You need the oversized self-confidence of Thor, the smug ego of Iron Man and the agile skills of Black Widow to accomplish what directors Anthony and Joe Russo, along with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, have done.
Mostly, everyone is attending this party, which stretches from deep space to New York to Wakanda. And every character from Groot to Vision gets in on the action.
It’s impressive how “Avengers: Infinity War” squeezes in so many heroes and plot lines without making your head spin.
The movie is like a runaway steamroller, never letting up — yet, retaining wit, humor, adventure, heart and pathos.
It features love and loss and courage and conviction.
I won’t reveal the mashup of Avengers and superheroes who band together in an attempt to keep the evil warlord Thanos, who has been a shadowy presence nearly since the inception of the MCU.
His goal from the outset has been to collect the six Infinity Stones that will make him the most powerful being in the universe. With the stones, he can have ultimate power and control time and reality and life and death.
Thanos wants to use his powers to reshape the galaxy by eliminating half the beings in the universe, believing that would solve such problems as overpopulation, hunger as well as preserve natural resources.
Thanos, as portrayed by Josh Brolin, makes a very formidable adversary. The best villains are those who believe their cause is righteous.
Thanos is no exception. He is certain that by culling the herd, the universe will be saved from extinction. To him, the massive sacrifice is worth the price. And his determination and resolve are, well, infinite.
Brolin’s performance is the most memorable in the star-packed movie. He brings a melancholy and no-nonsense intensity to his character that stands in contrast with the almost endless quips traded by his superhero opponents.
The scope of the movie is massive. Yet, it feels intimate because, through the previous Marvel movies, we have become emotionally invested in many of these characters.
Watching “Avengers: Infinity War” is like being a kid given free rein in a candy store. Everywhere you turn, you see a sweet to entice you.
Despite the dire circumstances under which our Marvel-ous band comes together, at times, the movie has a light — almost snarky — air.
Imagine the egos that collide, the jibes and insults that are traded among these diverse personalities.
It’s rather strange that amid all the death and destruction, the movie offers laughs. The Russo brothers and the writers maintain a finite balancing act that gives you leeway to be amused as well as saddened.
At about two hours and 40 minutes, “Avengers: Infinity War” moves rapidly. And it continually builds toward a spectacular last reel on the plains of Wakanda, providing a battle sequence that elicits comparisons to that in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.”
The filmmakers also have the mettle to create a sobering finale that will elicit gasps and challenge your patience for what comes next.
Also, a word of advice. Stay through all the credits, the payoff will not disappoint you.
“Avengers: Infinity War” is an epic experience; a terrific high adventure that will definitely leave you wanting more.
I am a member of the Indiana Film Journalists Association. My reviews appear at ReelBob (reelbob.com) and Rottentomatoes (www.rottentomatoes.com). I also review Blu-rays and DVDs. I can be reached by email at bobbloomjc@gmail.com or on Twitter @ReelBobBloom. Links to my reviews can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn.
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
3½ stars out of 4
(PG-13), intense sequences of science fiction action and violence, language, some crude references