Avengers: Infinity War
Disassembled
When we go to see Marvel movies, it’s not because we expect them to be perfect. At least, I don’t. I never expect a Marvel film to push the boundaries of filmmaking or change the way we approach certain techniques. I expect pulpy fun and banter, sometimes to a fault. If that’s what you want from Avengers: Infinity War, then you’ll get it.
I come for the characters. When I was young, I read everything I could, and comic books were a particular favorite way for me to pass time. When superhero movies became more common in the early 2000s, I was delighted. My wildest dreams were coming to life on screen, and seeing characters like Spider-Man in action compelled me to tell stories in my own life.
I’ve always loved these characters. I feel that one could make a compelling argument that superheroes are like the mythology of today, in that they inspire and excite us while giving us something to aspire towards. The Russo brothers know the impact each of these characters can have, and they give each one their moment to shine with Infinity War. That’s not to say that the film is without flaws, because it does have some issues, at least in my opinion. But the film’s treatment of its characters is why Marvel movies continue to draw crowds — they show the things we want to be, the ways we aspire to act.
Technically, the film is a wonder. The cinematography zips and jumps from hero to hero, gliding with ease through rubble and across vast landscapes. The editing is quick and efficient, though I do think the pacing could be a bit stronger. The music is probably the most impactful in a Marvel film since the original Avengers; Alan Silvestri’s score captures themes of desperation, bravery, loss, and triumph in equal measure. The visual effects are, for the most part, outstanding, though some minor issues pop up in select scenes. The sound design is mostly stellar as well, but a few moments of obvious post work stuck out to me. Still, the technical side of the film is generally as strong an effort as we’ve seen from Marvel to date.
So yeah, the plot is pretty basic and the banter can be a bit much and it’s hard to feel too great a sense of urgency due to some spoiler-y developments, but Thanos does present a real threat. He’s portrayed well, by the way, and is one of Marvel’s stronger villains (though probably less effective than Michael Keaton’s Vulture or Michael B. Jordan’s Kilmonger, since we know there’s a direct sequel coming in one year), with a drive that permeates each scene. Still, in his quieter moments, it’s hard to find much sympathy for him, not that the film doesn’t try.
It’s a Marvel movie. People make jokes and then suffer agonizing loss before the next joke comes. The storytelling can feel uneven and you may find yourself scratching your head, thinking “Wait a minute…”. But the scope and ambition of this film are fascinating, bringing together an enormous cast, and for the most part, succeeding in honoring ten years’ worth of emotional buildup (by teasing Avengers 4). Maybe we’ll evaluate this one differently next year, but that remains to be seen.
All that to say: it’s fun. It’s emotional in parts, and yeah, not perfect. Maybe you think these films are harmless entertainment, and if so, I can’t really argue against that idea. They’re never going to be The Godfather or The Tree of Life. But the characters are what make these movies worthwhile, and Infinity War is about the characters. There’s a lot going on here, almost to a point of too much to focus on, but the film mostly finds its footing.
Plus, Spider-Man makes references to Aliens.
