‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ – ALMOST PERFECT

After a decade of buildup, the concluding chapter to the “Avengers” saga has arrived. And it’s hard to believe that the most profitable film franchise in the world has only been in the mainstream consciousness since 2008.

It began as a throwaway scene at the end of the first “Iron Man,” but what was initially conjecture and hopeful wishes on the part of producer Kevin Feige eventually turned into a full-blown cinematic universe. Now, 10 years and several billion dollars later, and with a few rights acquisitions by Disney, a whole new genre of films has saturated the market – a market that Disney is more than happy to cater to.

No one is able to make a superhero movie quite like Marvel studios does, a sentiment which is amplified a hundred times with the release of their latest film.

Since “Avengers: Infinity War” left audiences with the biggest cliffhanger since “Who shot J.R.?” (from the 1980s “Dallas” television serial), people have been clambering for the conclusion to the this epic saga.

So do the Avengers live up to the expectations they’ve so carefully laid for themselves? Directed by the Russo brothers and written by  Stephen McFeely and Christopher Markus, “Endgame” wraps up the final phase for Marvel’s first generation of Avengers films.

After Thanos arrived on Earth in the last movie, it was clear everyone’s favorite cast of heroes had finally met their match. Now, five years after the events of Infinity War, Captain America and the team see a way to turn back the clock and stop him for good. Stopping any great villain always comes at a cost, and in the case of Endgame that cost is its 3-hour runtime.

While the majority of the film keeps you on the edge of your seat, especially the final battle sequence, it definitely could’ve used a little help with the pacing in the first third. Aside from a couple pacing issues and some very minor CG awkwardness, there’s not much to criticize in the movie.

In part, that’s due to the fact that this is the first time a cinematic universe has been established in a mainstream property and with this amount of buildup. It’s never been done before and will likely never be done this way again. The Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it today came about from a mix of pure luck, genius, good timing, and perfect casting.

Unfortunately, the ingredients for this particular form of success only make themselves known once in a blue moon. But at least we can enjoy it while it lasts.

Endgame is filled with incredible character interactions, satisfying story arcs, great comedic moments, and mind-blowing action. For what it is, it’s nearly impeccable. There are nits to be picked about certain aspects of the plot and the internal logic of the Avengers universe, but as far as pure satisfaction is concerned, it gets an A-plus.

It may not be the ending to the series that some viewers hoped for, but at the end of the day, the payoffs the film provides far outweigh any shortcomings. The feat Marvel President Kevin Feige and the Russo brothers have accomplished with the completion of this franchise is unprecedented and truly awe inspiring.

Not many people are capable of telling such a complex and long running story so skillfully. The biggest cinematic event in history has concluded and there’s no telling what’s next, but one thing is for sure: If you haven’t seen Endgame, you’re missing out. 

4.5 out of 5 stars