There is a sense of foreboding during the first few minutes of “Avengers: Infinity War”.
And as the minutes rolled by, that uneasy feeling only grew stronger.
Existence will cease just like that
On a quest to restore balance in the universe, Thanos (Josh Brolin) is scouring galaxies for the infinity stones, two of which, are in the possession of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Vision (Paul Bettany).
His quest to complete the infinity stones will allow him to wipe out life with a snap of a finger.
After obliterating planets and successfully acquiring two infinity stones–and killing Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in the process–Thanos sets his sights on Earth.
The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) barely makes it back to Earth alive. He warns Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Doctor Strange of the impending danger.
Thanos’ minions were quick to detect the time stone and gave Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man (Tom Holland) a beating.
Somewhere in Scotland, Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision almost didn’t make it out in one piece after an attempt to take away the mind stone from them had it not been for the rest of the Avengers–Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).
By this time, the threat is real. With Iron Man missing and the belief that Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is dead, the Avengers must figure out a way to destroy the mind stone to keep Thanos from fulfilling his mission.
So off to Wakanda they go. With the help of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and his humongous army, braced for the biggest battle of their lives.
Blood-curling excitement
Directors Joe and Anthony Russo pulled off a masterclass in direction by weaving together an elaborate tapestry that will satisfy visually and emotionally.
What sets “Avengers: Infinity War” apart from its prequels, or the other Marvel movies for that matter, is it gave us blood-curling excitement.
Earlier movies were heart-pumping and put you on the edge of your seats. This one’s different because it’s more than action sequences.
The combat scenes were like a beautifully choreographed dance. There’s a level of gracefulness in every punch and kick hurled at each other.
The difference lies in the sense of doom that engulfs the characters. It’s more than adrenaline that powers them; it’s genuine fear and absolute resolve to stay alive. The stakes cannot be any higher this time and they know that their chances of winning are not that big.
So you see it in their faces. Masked by their combat faces is the uncertainty of defeat. And that what makes watching the movie even more depressing.
That sense of foreboding was with me all throughout the film. And while things seem to point in the direction we didn’t want, there’s a sliver of hope that made me (and I’m sure other people) wish that, somehow, since it’s an Avenger movie, they will emerge victorious.
But we all know how things unfolded.
Commendable screenwriting
It must have been fun writing the script. It’s a challenging feat, actually, especially with this huge ensemble.
Giving each character ample air time without compromising the flow of the stort will really require skill. Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus were able to do it really well.
There were attempts to be funny. While some scenes turned out hilarious, others felt forced. I felt like they were trying to replicate the comedic appeal of “Guardians Of The Galaxy 2” and fell short. I’m just happy that it didn’t turn out like “Thor: Ragnarok”.
One of the things I enjoyed about “Avengers: Infinity War” is that its big bad is not a two-dimensional villain.
First of all, the special effects were spot on and made Thanos look like this imposing and threatening creature. However, there are some parts of him that will make you see beyond his treacherous side.
You somehow see his logic, as cruel as his goal may be. And he’s shown a gentle side, which is unusual in movies like this.
And that’s something that adds value to the film. Everyone’s actions are motivated by something they believe is rooted in something they believe is humane. Even Thanos.
And that’s exactly what makes this movie gut-wrenching. Everyone is struggling internally. And when they come to the part where they face their respective destinies, you just can’t help but feel horrible.
In the end, “Avengers: Infinity War” was depressing for me. It is a beautiful movie–something you’d love to rewatch and not see much plotholes. But it is freakin’ depressing.
