Avengers: Endgame Review - An Apt Sendoff To Our Favourite Characters.

There’s no easy way to say this, but I fell in love with Marvel once again watching Avengers: Endgame. The story is delicate but operatic, the ending sincere but heartbreaking and the crescendos loud and victorious. Taking off a mere 21 days after the happenings of Avengers: Infinity War, it starts by showing us where Hawk-Eye and Ant-Man, two beloved characters who were missing from the prequel crossover have been. It also shows us how those affected by Thanos’ infamous snap are coping with life. Directors Anthony and Joe Russo let the film simmer so much that it is 3 hours and 1 minute long. But their distinctively optimistic frames lend themselves so well to the dystopian universe the film provides.

They earn every single of one those minutes. And it’s because of the old-world charm of the film. The Avengers must assemble again to finally defeat the almighty Thanos, because the world around them is in shambles. It’s a simple structure, but the Russos’ inject it with their distinctive comedic touch. Even scenes where we bid adieu to beloved characters that we have spent far too long falling in love with have one or two throwaway lines. The Infinity Stones along with Thanos are gone. It’s 5 years into the future and the Avengers are scrambling to reassemble. The only one holding down the fort is Natasha Romanoff, resplendent with her golden hair.

I don’t know whether it was the massive hype around it, or the genuine weight on its shoulders, but Avengers: Infinity War did not resonate with me. It also didn’t help that it followed one of my favourite Marvel films, Black Panther. I found it too long, and overly dramatic. The climax was inspired, but its textures didn’t feel homegrown. The drama rose to such a crescendo, that the film couldn’t take on comedic tones at all. Endgame is completely different. Though the hype around this is much larger (a $2 billion trail to follow), the Russos create an out and out homage to the fans that have stuck around throughout the universe’s 11 year long trajectory, with 22 films along the way.

Its VFX is also top-notch. The scenes shot in space are absolutely spectacular to look at, and the climactic battle is a visual treat. I doubt you’ll see a more visually sumptuous film in the years to come. The best part about Endgame is the treatment of its characters. We finally get arcs and chips in the armour of our favourite superheroes - the best among which are Captain America, Iron Man and Thor, who serves as comic relief throughout the film’s runtime. Chris Evans as the stentorian Captain America has an erect spine, blue eyes and a hopeless optimism, that has aged with time. He’s no longer motivating everyone around him, he first has to motivate himself. He also gets the best action scene in the entire film, because it’s comedic in nature. I think this is the first time that two men with such great asses have fought on screen.

Iron Man has lost his dry humour. He’s now a father and a dutiful husband. We see him washing dishes, playing with his daughter and repeating the words, “I love you 3000.” many times over. Robert Downey Jr. imbues this character with an emotional heft that the film requires to surge forward. He’s complimented by Gwyneth Paltrow, who with a limited screen space, makes us care both for her and Tony, and their beautiful little girl.

Even The Incredible Hulk gets his fair share of moments. He serves, along with Thor, mostly as comic relief, but both Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth are very good in their roles. Even though the script positions them both as jokers, they have a sombre melancholy to them. They represent the film they inhabit. It’s saturated with happiness and jokes, but behind it, is a deep and abiding sorrow and respect. But my favourite moment is watching Black Widow and Hawkeye reunite. When they do, you’ll shed a tear. It’s that beautiful. So, when the Russo Brothers finally subject us to their fate, you’ll howl, thanking them for giving these characters such an apt send off.

Watching Endgame is like saying goodbye to a part of yourself. You’ll remember the reason you came, and even when it slipped up in the past (you’ll remember Thor: The Dark World and Avengers: Age of Ultron), you’ll forgive it. Because its textures are so beautiful, that you can’t help but submit to this gorgeous and painstakingly crafted universe. Irrespective of the commerce attached to Endgame, the Russos have completed a monumental task. They let us say goodbye to a part of ourselves, without being bunged down by the economics of it all. The film is beautiful, but it’s not flashy or showy. Its climax involves 70s music and beautiful small houses, where vinyl records are on repeat.

There’s an old-world charm here. When the Avengers aren’t saving the day, they’re just being. I suspect you’ll bawl like a child, and when you exit the theatre, go back to the ticket counter and pray that there’ll be one unsold ticket so you can experience it all over again. That’s what I did.