‘Avengers: Endgame’: Marvel Makes an Epic Last New Chapter

Some ten years in the making and the MCU all comes down to this. After months, or really years, of teasing this, the final battle is fought in Avengers: Endgame.

Avengers: Endgame (2019) Marvel Review

The story begins with a weak Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) recording a message to the love of his life, Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow). Lost in space with no hope of return to earth, an unexpected rescue arrives in the form of Captain Marvel (Brie Larson). This inserts her into the Avengers team as they plot to find Thanos (Josh Brolin) and put an end to his reign of terror. For good. No matter the strength of their numbers and each of their good intentions, their arrival to Thanos’ secret lair is too late. Angry, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) leaves Thanos dead and the Avengers to disperse to separate corners. 

Five years later, things change.  Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) tracks the whereabouts of her best friend, Clint (Jeremy Renner), a man who’s lost with no purpose. To cope he takes out his anger as a vigilante. What changes their mission is when Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) returns from years missing in the void. This makes everyone think perhaps there’s a chance with the help of time travel, they can go back and undo the heartache Thanos caused. But first, Steve (Chris Evans) will have to enlist the help of Tony, a man whose priorities are now greatly altered.

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This just may be the most star-studded movie in recent cinematic history. Countless other fan favorites and other actors make their “last stand” return such as Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo); Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper); Nebula (Karen Gillan); Peter Quill (Chris Pratt); Peter Parker (Tom Holland); Falcon (Anthony Mackie); Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch); Wanda (Elizabeth Olson); and so many others. You’ll even spy some faces you haven’t seen in a while, and see one or two that makes you wonder, who are you?

Because of this cast list, the talent in this film is off the charts. It’s brilliant, and makes the film that much more enjoyable to watch. Of course, the return to one screen of so many favorite characters is also a plus. From Captain America (can I talk about how much I’ll miss him if this is truly the end?) to Falcon (at least we’ll see more of the Cap’s bestie) and the hilarious antics of Ant-Man, I suspect, we all have a favorite MCU character. If you ever hoped to see them share a screen, I ‘Endgame’ is the closest you’ll likely get. Speaking of the characters, it’s a little bit heartbreaking to see some of them hurting so. Much as I’d like to say more, I won’t. In all likelihood I’m the last person on planet earth to see this, but just in case, I’ll refrain because spoilers. I will say, it is weirdly comedic to see how Thor changes.

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Despite my skepticism and “worry” over these characters, I can honestly say, in the hand of Marvel alongside everyone who produced, directed and brought this film to life, the story had good direction. For me, this is one of the less complicated plots, and it just works. One of the things that impresses me most is that the finale isn’t big in the way most are; it suits this movie so very well. The scale is still “big,” while being quiet and calling back so many of the moments or significant scenes from prior films. Even those I caught probably don’t total the number of things the writer’s throwback to. The story is likely richer if you watch the entire run which I say really begins with the 2008 film Iron Man, though that’s something I clearly don’t have the patience for.

For those of us who’ve been with the Marvel cinematic universe since the beginning, this is a fitting end. There’s tears and joy, bittersweet sentiments and triumphant moments, all of which leads to a final chapter that opens doors to new possibilities. Will I miss these Avengers? You bet. I sincerely hope that in this case, the rumors of this being their final outing is anything but true.

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Photos: Marvel