Avengers: Infinity War — Movie Review
Not Your Friendly Neighborhood Superhero Movie
“What did it cost? …Everything”
A culmination of the 18 MCU movies that came before it, every single step and decision has led to this monumental cinematic event. With Avengers: Infinity War, the stakes are high, and this grand spectacle is Marvel’s biggest and most extravagant film yet. The result? A feast for the eyes, and a banquet for the soul, offering viewers a roller-coaster ride of emotions, both breathtaking and heartbreaking.
Barely a minute in, we’re introduced to Thanos tout de suite. He’s out to collect all the infinity stones; magical artifacts that grant the wielder control over different realms of the universe. The fearsome Titan wields power on a scale hitherto unheard of in the MCU. As one might predict, it’s down to the Avengers to team up with the Guardians of the Galaxy to stop the mad Titan from annihilating half the universe. That’s how the plot would have looked like on paper, but the Russo brothers have been absolutely brilliant in converting what one could consider a wafer-thin plot, into a highly engaging screenplay. Not once in the 149 minutes of the film’s runtime does the movie stagger as it moves along at its blistering pace.
While it’s no wonder that a movie made on a budget of over $300 million can afford such an ensemble of actors, it is important to give every character a standalone identity; and the fact that the Russo brothers managed to do justice to each character, providing them ample screentime to make an impact, is a feat in itself. The casting has always been a strong point in Marvel films and Infinity War is no exception.
“Dread it. Run from it. Destiny still arrives.”
Thanos is, and will be, without a doubt, one of the greatest villains of all time in the MCU. While we did see good antagonists in Loki and Killmonger, they pale in comparison to Thanos’ grandeur. His portrayal as a being who shows multiple shades of emotion makes him almost human-like. Rather than depicting him as a mindless killing-machine (as in the comics), he is portrayed as an idealist with a vision of bringing balance to the universe. This leads to moments of genuine sympathy and connection with the antagonist, an incredible feat that is uncommon in the realm of superhero movies. Josh Brolin’s impeccable performance as Thanos will certainly leave an indelible mark in your hearts.
The buttery smooth transitions between the parallel plot lines show how well-layered the sublime script is.
This is by far the most emotional film in the MCU, with well defined relationships between characters playing out beautifully. The composition of elements like humour, sentiment, action and violence interwoven together works wonders on screen. It also doesn’t shy away from being realistic. The classic trope of a hero facing insurmountable odds and saving the day in the nick of time, is put to rest. This isn’t a Marvel movie of old, it’s one that doesn’t hesitate to devastate you by ripping off fragments of your carefree childhood.
Exotic backgrounds, top-notch cinematography and the captivating CGI effects that blur the line between fact and fiction give the universe a tangible sense of realism. Alan Silvestri’s soul-stirring score amplifies each scene with exuberant energy.
A couple of logical and scientific inaccuracies, while not affecting the movie in any way, still raise confusion in some parts. With CGI being used as cover-up for logical errors, leading one to think that the film is more of style over substance, the length and climax of the film are questionable to the general audience. But these points, in no way take away from the splendour of the film, marking it as a true celebration for Marvel fans. Moviegoers with a keen eye for Easter eggs and references are also in for a treat.
Overall, Avengers: Infinity War is a welcome change in the MCU. It is dark, humorous, magnificent, classy and entertaining, all at once, put together in a colourful cocktail of a film. Now that’s a marvellous movie!
This article was written in collaboration with Murali Blaster Krishna, Antony Terence and Nandini Ranganathan.
