10 years ago a journey began to bring comics to life with the release of Iron Man. With the success of the film, a spark was struck and the Marvel Cinematic Universe began. After a first "phase" of films we saw heroes unite in a way we had never seen before on the big screen in 2012's Avengers Assemble. The film showed that on a day unlike any other, when Earth was in it's most dire need, their mightiest heroes would come together and fight as one. The Avengers brought Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow, and Hawkeye to the screen to save the world from a Chitauri invasion led by Loki, god of mischief. They won on that day, but from beyond the wormhole that the chitauri came through, we got a glimpse of this universe's endgame as we got our first look of the Mad Titan's grin, Thanos was coming for the Avengers. This past friday, we saw 10 years of story telling through film culminate in the true arrival of Thanos. It was time for Earth's Mightiest Heroes to meet their match. Avengers: Infinity War is a story you've never heard before, it's the story of how the Avengers were not enough, it's the story of how Thanos won.
It's very hard to find the words to talk about this movie. Since release I have seen it twice, and still it's definitely hard to bring my thoughts to words in a coherent matter. I guess where I should begin is that this movie is by far THE BEST Marvel film to be released. It has ambition, it has action, and it drags your emotions kicking and screaming through the film as you watch your favorite heroes struggle against this insurmountable might. Thanos is the villain we've all been waiting for, in both the time we have waited, and the expectations we have had for the character. Within the first five minutes of the film we see the mad Titan (without the use of an infinity stone) beat seven shades of green out of the Hulk, kill Heimdal, and choke Loki to death. Thanos is a force unlike any we've seen prior and this film wants you to recognize it.
When approaching a film of this MASSIVE of an ensemble, you must focus the narrative somehow. This leads to what makes this film so very unique. The protagonist of this film is none other than the mad Titan himself: Thanos. This is the story of his quest for power. He wishes to save the universe by a controlled genocide of half the universe' population. He can only do this in his lifetime with the use of all 6 infinity stones that he uses through a conduit called the infinity gauntlet. This is Thanos' story, and while it differs very much from the sadistically evil bastard we know from the books, it is a story that is compelling nonetheless. He is a villain that is convinced that salvation can only be achieved through his way, and he is the only one with the will to attain it. This is not an Avengers story, sure they are a big part of it, and certain members have prominent arcs: Thor is on his quest to avenge his fallen brother and friend, Iron Man is leading a team to stop Thanos on Titan, Cap is assembling who he can to protect Vision in Wakanda, all have a part to play in this tale, but it is not theirs. It's because of this that the movie shines the way it does. It's a villain piece, and what's more, with a snap of his fingers, he wins!
There are many things that stand out in this film, it's narrative, the effects, the fights, but none stand in toe with the film's greatest achievement, it's finale. There's a snap, and then a harrowing silence as half the heroes on screen fall to ashes, fading from existence. It's a quiet that is so loud it reaches out to the audience and takes hold over it. As the last avenger to die, Peter Parker, begs to be saved by his mentor, Mr. Stark, the silence is only broken by a sound of tears being snuffled, and then Thanos. Thanos enters his sanctuary, sits down, and looks out to his paradise he's earned, and sighs in relief. The screen goes black and the credits roll. Again there is silence, one of hope that the film can't be over, but it is. We have to wait a year for the story to conclude, without a single idea where the story may go.
To me, Avengers: Infinity War, is the film that defines and shapes a generation. The most notable example of another film like this is Star Wars: Empire Strikes Back. Just as "I am your father," has become an unforgettable moment in cinema history, so too will Thanos snapping his fingers to result in wiping half of existence. I give Avengers: Infinity War a solid 10. This film is what every major comic film should strive to be, and has set a new gold standard for the genre, leaps and bounds ahead of anything trying to compete.
This will not be the only post I write on this film. I am going to do one comparing themes in Infinity War to themes in the Homeric mythology, most notably Thanos' similarities to Agamemnon. However, I'll shelf that for then.
Till next time, this has been another edition of Comic Relief! I hope you have enjoyed and we'll see you next time!
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