Avengers: Endgame

Review by Gordon Stamper, Jr.

In the 22nd and final film of the current Marvel Universe cycle, filmmakers Anthony and Joe Russo say goodbye to the Avengers we know in epic style. Suffering from the usual Marvel movie flaws of being overlong and overstuffed, otherwise the great characters fight to save Earth in a bittersweet and entertaining film that weights in at three hours.

The film begins with Tony Stark (in a brilliant performance by Robert Downey, Jr.) and Nebula (Karen Gillian) stranded in space, light years from help. The Earth is reeling from the death of half its inhabitants from Thanos' (Josh Brolin) triumphant attack and plan. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is in full pout mode while in his New Asgard kingdom. Even Steve Rogers, the optimistic Captain America (the other nuanced and wide-ranging performance of the film by Chris Evans), can't see any hope in their situation. Enter catalyst Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) to energize the remaining Avengers, leading Rocket (again voiced by Bradley Cooper) and the crew to start anew.

After the introductory fallout scenes, the plot is split into two plans to defeat Thanos, one being a plan to track the god-like villain to his "retirement world," and the other to retrieve and restore the Infinity Stones in their rightful places. The latter includes some star-studded cameos and a great last appearance from Stan Lee. By the time it's over, will our heroes have their one in 14 million chance for victory as Doctor Strange predicted in the previous film, or will they fail again in a different and even more permanent way? To this film's credit, it delivers a much more suspenseful answer than you'd expect.

To its credit and debit, Avengers: Endgame fills the screen with characters and reminds you of the wonderful cast who portrays them, from Scarlett Johanssen and Tilda Swinton to Paul Rudd and Mark Ruffalo. Ruffalo is particularly charming as a new and improved smart Hulk, and comic geek me was happy to see that version put on a big screen. As usual, the CGI effects and makeup work are amazing, including a transformation of Thor into a new haggard version who looks more like The Dude.

Despite it sometimes feeling that you're binge watching a series in a movie theater, this is epic entertainment meant to be seen with people and on a big screen. As long as you've seen at least some of the Marvel Universe films, the conclusion is a rewarding experience for the viewer.

Rated "PG-13" for sci-fi violence and profanity. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Written by Christopher Marcus and Stephen McFeely. Based on characters created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Jim Starlin. Starring Robert Downey, Jr.; Chris Evans; Chris Hemsworth; Mark Ruffalo; Scarlett Johanssen; Jeremy Renner; Brie Larson; Josh Brolin: Paul Rudd; and many, many others.

My rating: ***1/2 out of ****.