AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PART 1 (2018)
4/27/18 - Avengers: Infinity War Part 1 - 7/10
Certainly not flawless, the undeniably tremendous job Infinity War accomplishes is undoubtable. It was a Herculean task to to undertake, but the deft skill and cinematic guile to craft an engaging, tonally shifting but cognizant, galaxy spanning chase/heist/quest film that balanced humor, drama, excitement, and stakes without dragging or stumbling is nigh impossible, but I just saw it accomplished. Exquisite, lavish, and oh so enjoyable; a real gem, flaws and all.
Being a strong mix of Iron Man, Thor, GOTG, Wanda/Vision, and Thanos’ Film, the plot-lines interweave but hold their respective characteristic weight. Everyone in this film at least gets a beat or a line. It was extraordinary, especially in comparison to similar films, superhero and otherwise. Obviously utilizing the skills of large character web spanning TV narratives, the Russos are able to weave Altman-esque people pieces. Really well done. Better than I thought possible.
I would say that they do a solid job of characterizing Thanos as a tortured ruler, and less the power hungry Mad Titan. He reminds me more of Ozymandias from Watchmen than some of their other more paper thin baddies. Not quite as developed or personable as a Killmonger or Magneto, but you feel for the antagonist and in a complicated mega movie such as this, that is a tremendous feat. It took some balls to even attempt such a seeming dalliance in this “‘Splosions over feels” cinematic blockbuster landscape. Some of the emotional resonance felt strained to me, but I applaud their design and effort.
Brolin and the team that put Thanos together did a marvelous job. There are still weight issues at times, but I felt the hundreds who partook in creating the CGI behemoth earned their praise.
I liked the nameless henchman (perhaps because I am already well acquainted with the likes of Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glave from the comics) even though they were more plot machinations than genuine characters. Still, there designs and placement as “video game stage bosses” did not bother me. They allowed for the groupings of characters needed for the story to fracture and flow.
Genuine laugh out loud moments with some legitimate great lines/one liners that linger. An amusing interplay amongst so many of these disparate characters. All of that really clicked, but I was not as rocked by the losses incurred as some that were at the screening. Perhaps I can blame my black heart but it is also hard to fully embrace losses when the future film slate is determined and I am aware of it. Diminishes the stakes and neuters my embracing the long-term repercussions. Still, they worked hard to milk most of the departures, though some more than others.
It did leave me in a place of wonder as to how they will fix the chaos that has been wrought. Let the speculation and eager anticipation of hints squeezed from ancillary films begin.
This was such a joy and admirable achievement, doing something no other franchise has even come close to and really nailing all of the elements. The thing that stood out most to me was that with all of these characters that we know and love from the vast catalogue having come before it, was that we just enjoy spending time in the presence of these beloved personalities. The story can even take a back seat as we just revel in the sweet screen time we are given. I think either that simple idea seeps into you and you love this film, or you have not been hooked up to these larger-than-life personalities and you see a flawed blockbuster husk. I am glad to be in the former.
- My Top 5 MCU Films
- Iron Man
- Captain America: Winter Soldier
- Captain America: Civil War
- Black Panther
- The Avengers
- Avngers: Infinity War