Prior to 2008, the world was a different place. We lived in a world where shouting to the masses from the roof of any building that “I, David Gonzalez adore the comic book film genre” was more of a dream than a reality. The comic book film genre was a world that was treated like the stepchild of film. A world that was filled with Ghost Rider, bad Fantastic Fours, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Topher Grace’s Venom filled world of Spider-Man 3. However, a little thing happened on May 2nd, 2008 that not only changed the comic book genre but changed film as a whole. That little thing is known as the release of Iron Man and the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
I’ve consistently stated throughout the years the importance of Batman to the comic book genre in terms of how the film created a new market for comic books films, with the movie itself, marketing, and merchandising; however, there is no denying that May 2nd, 2008 created an obsession and motto by film studios that most are still attempting to replicate today, mainly that having a shared universe is a recipe for success. Despite many studios’ efforts, there is only one MCU and Marvel Entertainment has done quite the job that makes it hard for anyone else to follow their lead. Not even Warner Bros. and DC Comics have been able to top it. Their most recent foray into the comic book genre has done nothing but create one of the worst film universes on screen.
Fast forward 10 years to April 26th, 2018, a world and industry dominated by the comic book genre. No longer do nerds and cinephiles across the world that dealt with Batman and Robin, an Italian Red Skull, and that Quest for Peace have to hide their passion and love for the genre because as I look across social media, and especially all over New York City, superheroes run the film industry and pop culture. Ten years of films, stories, laughs, and tears culminate with one of the finest achievements ever put on film, Avengers: Infinity War.
If you’re reading this review, then you are well aware of the premise of Infinity War. All of the films that have come before all lead to the Avengers and company taking down the biggest baddie in the universe, Thanos. However, despite the plot of the film being well known by the masses (especially if you read the book), Infinity War is so much more than that. It’s an emotional roller coaster that for the first time in its existence, has fans, including myself, wondering, “Where in the hell do they go now?”
The film is rich with action sequences that rival some of the best throughout the years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Infinity War’s strength is not just in its action sequences but the way that the Russo brothers treat this film as if you’re reading a comic book film. Scenes feel like you are jumping from panel to panel giving you little time to take a breath as it’s almost three hour run time is needed in order to not only incorporate all the characters but to provide one of the finest origin stories a villain has had within the MCU.
Rivaling Killmonger, and Loki, Thanos is an absolute bad ass that also carries a burden of “family man” while attempting to “save the world.” Unlike previous MCU films, in which the villain is sort of a secondary afterthought when it comes to their origin, Thanos’ story is not only important but crucial to the build-up of all of these films. It would be an utter disappointment if Thanos was not built properly. Along with the wonderful script, Josh Brolin is an absolute marvel (no pun intended), in his portrayal of the Mad Titan. Within the film’s length, Brolin’s Thanos has at least 4-5 moments where I sit back and just smile, knowing Brolin and Marvel have done it. The Mad Titan will go down as an all-time comic book baddie and Brolin should be commended for that.
Speaking of Thanos, one of the biggest complaints I’ve heard all weekend is, “there hasn’t been enough character development for each individual Avenger’s story.” My response to those fans is what have you been watching these past ten years? All 18 of these films have built each character up with their stories connecting not only to each other but to the eventual conflict with Thanos. I personally feel that if this film continued to build these characters, instead of the villain we have seen for less than 10 minutes of on-screen time within the different films, Infinity War would have failed in terms of creating actual stakes for not only the characters but fans to care about. I might want to rethink your fan hood of the MCU if you’re talking “character development” these many years in.
While I have heard numerous comparisons to The Empire Strikes Back for its somber nature in tone, and while agreeing with that comparison along with the high stakes that are set onscreen, it by no means equals the stature and lore and quite frankly, the narrative of Empire. Infinity War, despite being the darkest film in the ten years of the universe’s existence is still able to do one of the things it does best- capturing strong comedic moments at the appropriate time. Some of the Avengers that are paired up together in Infinity War made me wonder, “Why did I not ever think of this before?”
Avengers: Infinity War could have been a flop. The anticipation for this film has only been matched by Star Wars and not only did it live up to expectations but immediately enters the conversation as a top 3 film within the MCU. 2019 cannot get here any quicker as the Avengers assemble one final time.
Reel Talk gives Avengers: Infinity War 4 Reels
