Marvel Studios presents Avengers: Infinity War which will be released on April 27th, 2018.

Four years after the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the Avengers have been torn apart following the events of Captain America: Civil War. When Thanos arrives on Earth to collect the Infinity Stones for a gauntlet that will allow him to bend reality to his will, the Avengers must join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy to stop him before his onslaught of destruction puts an end to the universe.

Directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo

The cast includes:

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man:

Josh Brolin as Thanos:

Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk:

Tom Hiddleston as Loki

Chris Evans as Steve Rogers

Chris Hemsworth as Thor

Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch

Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier

Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange:

Paul Bettany as Vision

Zoe Saldana as Gamora

Vin Diesel as Groot:

Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer

Bradley Cooper as Rocket

Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow:

Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man

Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon

Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther

Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man

Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine

Well here we are, it’s been ten years in the making for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the first Iron Man movie in 2008 to now, finally it’s 2018 and the release of Avengers: Infinity War is here. This is the superhero movie we all have been waiting for ever since we first saw Thanos in the post credits scene of 2012’s The Avengers. From all the easter eggs, Thanos’ cameos and Infinity Stones references that have sprinkled throughout the various Marvel Studios movies, this is the big pay off.

Infinity War is the third installment of the Avengers movies and the nineteenth film in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. I’m going to do my best to stay very vague in my review, one to avoid revealing any major spoilers but two so when you go see the movie you’re mind will be as pure as mind was and you get the full effect of the emotional roller coaster you will see.

I was lucky enough to attend a very private press screening early this week. I have to say this, when the movie was done I have never attended a screening where everyone walking out of the room was completely quiet and very subdued. Everyone seemed very shocked and surprised at what we just saw. I had to take some time to process everything I witness but then I had to need to want to break everything down with my buddy Dominic who attended the screening with me. I think that is the two part effect most movie goers will have, either be quiet in shock or need someone to talk them through everything.

The structure of Infinity War is very different compared to other Marvel Studios movies. I have to give credit to the directors, the Russo brothers. I can only imagine how difficult it was to direct a movie of this magnitude, from the high numbers of actors and actresses, the special effects, trying to be comic book accurate yet tell a fresh/exciting of their own and connecting everything established from other directors in the other Marvel movies. The story telling jumps around a lot, because we have so many characters who are spread out in different parts of Earth and in space. At the same time the story is easy to follow and understand what is happening. But I do recommend to have seen all of the previous MCU movies to have a full understanding who are all the characters and what they are known for. The movie has a fast paced, for being a two and half hours long, it moves along nicely. The story slows down a few times but other then that we are constantly checking with our characters who are grouped together. This film brought our favorite superheroes together on the big screen for the first time. That was a fun part of the movie, seeing the process of everyone crossed paths to meet up. For example, in the trailer we see Thor with the Guardians, Iron Man with Dr. Strange and Spider-Man, Captain America, Falcon, Black Widow meeting up with Black Panther and Bucky. From a comedic stand point Thor and the Guardian was the best. I personally enjoyed Spider-Man working with Iron Man and Dr. Strange. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man keeps getting better and better with every movie he’s in. The special effects were amazing and I couldn’t take my eyes off the screen.

But going into this movie, even though it says Avengers in the title this is very much a movie about Thanos. In many ways it’s a heist movie of him on the hunt looking for all of the infinity stones. Even though Thanos is a CG character, he looks very realistic. Josh Brolin does an amazing job delivering a menacing yet a villain who does express feelings. Time and time again we always say the best villains are the ones who believe what they are doing is the right thing to do. Thanos in this movie is no different. Thanos comes off very similar to Darth Vader. As the Russo brothers have revealed before, in the first five minutes Thanos does some heavy damage that sets the tone of who he is. The opening scene felt like the beginning of Star Wars with Darth Vader. Honestly, if Thanos’ character didn’t work then this movie would fall flat, luckily for us fans that is not the case. Thanos is the star of this movie.

The one downsize of a movie of this size featuring so many characters is at times I wish certain superheroes got more screen time but hey, that’s expected not everyone will get equal time. Also, be prepared there are some things from the trailer that didn’t make it into the movie. I guess it was the studios way to throw people off and make the movie more unpredictable.

At times I felt the use of some comedy was not necessary. There were a few one liners that felt shoe horned in, very similar to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I get it, you need comedy to appeal to the masses but I feel you are trying to tell a serious story, don’t let comedy interrupt that flow.

Avengers: Infinity War has a very similar feel to Empire Strikes Back. While it’s very dramatic and dark (in a good way) there is that slight chance of hope at the end. Bravo to everyone involved with this movie. They knew how emotionally tied up us fans are with all of the Marvel Studio movies and the characters in the MCU stemming from all of their previous solo movies. So when stuff goes down in this movie we have very serious reactions to it. This movie has so many layers to it. So many scenes and character moments that we can breakdown this film for years to come, well at least for the next year before Avengers Part 4 comes out in 2019.

p.s. There is one post credits scene to sit through.

I would rate the film: 9.25/10

Go see Avengers: Infinity War when the movie hits theaters on Friday, April 27th.

Watch the first trailer below.

Watch the second trailer below.

Watch the big game spot below.

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