5 Takeaways from Avengers: Infinity War

Just coming straight out of the cinema – I gotta strike the keyboard while it’s HOT from the explosive Avenger’s Infinity War. And just like the film, let’s not waste any time waxing lyrical and get straight into the action.

AVENGERS SPOILERS AHEAD: WARNING!

1. The Russo Brother’s are certified stars

If this wasn’t established with Civil War or The Winter Soldier films, they have done it with Avengers: Infinity War. I have been a massive fan of Anthony and Joseph Russo ever since their work on two of my favorite sitcoms, Arrested Development and Community. Their ability to work ensemble casts, expert handling of comedy and understanding of action sequences (check out the Community Paintball episodes) are all on display in Infinity War. Just think about the task of trying to juggle so many huge characters in an adventure that spans an entire galaxy. Yes, some of our favorite characters are given smaller roles, but that’s only natural. You must focus on what’s important for the story at hand. It’s just so wonderful to have your expectations high, and leave the cinema both completely satisfied and salivating for the next sequel.

2. Thanos is the villain the Avengers deserve

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It’s been a long time coming, since 2012 really. Since our first foray into the Avengers, we have seen the Mad Titan Thanos pulling strings from his levitating, asteroid chair. As one does when plotting the destruction of the universe. Yet, what we are given is something more than a bad guy that just hates things. He’s the ultimate eco-terrorist. Cull half of all life to bring balance, to ensure that everyone else remaining has enough food and shelter. It’s actually not the worst motive and it’s a motive that, despite his genocidal insanity, you could almost jump on board with. And he has a semblance of a heart.  When he sacrificed his favorite daughter to get the Soul Stone, I was almost touched. And yet, the beast barely broke a sweat beating down the Hulk. I loved hating this guy.

3. The Avengers never cease to amaze

The Avengers, every single one, had their backs to the wall from the start. Vision spent the movie having his ass handed to him, Thor was broken in more ways than one from the first scene and we almost lost Iron Man. Yet it never gets old seeing the team take down baddies, even intergalactic ones. Captain America and his crew pure and simple kick ass. All the way through. They are relentless, lead from the front and give their all. Spider-Man and Iron Man strike up a great duo saving Dr. Strange who in turn had a great deal of wizardry wickedness in this one. When they team up with half of the Guardians to take on Thanos, they gave us reason to hope that they could take down the Mad Titan. And Thor, the guy’s a stud. He stood in the face of a Sun to create a weapon that single-handedly turned the tide of a war in Wakanda. Wasn’t that a moment.

4. How about that ending?

Make no mistake, the cinema left the film feeling like Thanos had found a way to punch us all in the face. First, we think Iron Man and co will get that gauntlet of Thanos pig-sized hand and that fails. Second,  Scarlet Witch destroyed the Mind Stone and her robot boyfriend to stop Thanos in his tracks, until he turned back time and we watched him take that stone straight out of Visions brain. Third, Thor comes crashing down with his axe of destiny straight into Thanos’ sternum. Only for Thanos to snap his fingers and kill half the universe. And then we watched some of our favorite heroes turn in to dust and blow into the wind. Who didn’t shed a tear to see boy hero Peter Parker cry into Tony Stark’s arms as he feels death coming to take him? And we’re left with that big jerk Thanos putting his legs up as he watches the sunset. I won’t lie, I really loved how hurt I felt leaving that cinema and chomping at the bit to see how Thanos will get his.

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5. Avengers 4 cannot come soon enough

Perhaps a negative of the transparent planning of the MCU is that we know this isn’t the end. We know due to releases of certain characters movies that they aren’t truly gone. Look close enough and you’ll see that the major characters that died were mostly characters that have their own movies forthcoming. It’s a bittersweet realisation, more bitter with the fact that there is little lingering mystery of who will return.

When Avengers 4 does roll around though, we will have seen what Ant-Man was up to and no doubt he has a big part to play in the next Avengers. Hulk needs to get his mojo back hard. What’s exciting though is Dr. Strange’s prophecy. Remember when he saw over 14 million endings of the conflict with Thanos and there was only one possibility that could win? He wasn’t talking about that one fight, he was playing the long game. Dr. Strange had to give up the Time Stone to save Tony’s life, and as such told Tony now “we’re in the endgame”. Even without the knowledge of forthcoming movies, that’s a big enough hint to know that there is a way, and this was all meant to happen. Thanos will fail.

Note: That post-credit scene was perfect and I cannot wait for Captain Marvel’s introduction!