This is the movie where they all come together—thanks to the lavender-colored alien Thanos (Josh Brolin), whose agenda to massacre half of the universe prompts the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy to join forces and give us a summer blockbuster superhero extravaganza.
So, “Avengers: Infinity War” technically began in the summer of 2008, and it’s been a saga of 18 interconnected Marvel movies before we arrive here, the culmination, where everyone is anticipating death or deaths, like a “Game of Thrones” episode.
Thanos is the main man here, and he’s busy collecting the Infinity Stones—six powerful gems to decorate his gauntlet and give him the super power to wipe out 50 percent of the universe’s population. His motive? Pretty vague. Some act of mercy and the desire to watch the sun set after the genocide. This makes him big-time enemy.
So the Avengers (minus Hawkeye and Ant-Man) are obligated to ally and try and stop the estranged dad of Gamora and Nebula. Meanwhile, in Space, the Guardians of the Galaxy, headed by Star-Lord (Christ Pratt), is grooving to The Spinners’ 1976 R&B classic, “The Rubberband Man” before accidentally meeting Thor (Chris Hemsworth). It’s fate. This great crossover-alliance.
“Infinity War,” the second most-expensive film ever made in the history of mankind, right behind “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” opens excitingly, with strong establishing scenes, clear-cut action sequences, thrilling entrances of the star-studded cast, and a sense of fear, because Thanos’ kids are pretty nasty.
But the movie, helmed by the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joe, eventually fizzles. Because Thanos’ motive is ill-defined, he eventually becomes pretty boring. Collect the stones and commit mass murder. Okay? After being introduced to a very strong antagonist, Erik Killmonger of “Black Panther,” you may find Thanos pretty disappointing.
Meanwhile, our superheroes are just wielding their powers impulsively, like robots, or video game characters that lack dynamics and deep relationships. Just brandishing their unique powers with the goal of obliterating Thanos.
And instead of strategizing how to defeat Thanos, our beloved superheroes spend their off-times making unfunny jokes and pop culture references. When Thor describes the Avengers as “Earth’s mightiest defenders,” Mantis (Pom Klementieff) asks, “Just like Kevin Bacon?” Kudos to you, if you linked that to “Footloose.”
On the upside, the film makes an attempt at dramatic depth, and that includes Thanos and Gamora’s (Zoe Saldana) complex relationship. Other than that, the entire two hours and 40 minutes is an intergalactic jamboree of colors, lights, easter eggs, and visual effects, with some elements of “Harry Potter.”
2.5 out of 5 stars
Premiered April 25, 2018 in Philippine cinemas
Premiered April 25, 2018 in Philippine cinemas
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