“Avengers: Infinity War” isn’t just the biggest comic-book-character team-up we’ve ever seen on the big screen.
Oh, it is that. The collection of heroes, super and otherwise, in “Infinity War” is staggering, as is the list of big-name actors who portray them.
It also, however, is this incredibly impressive representation of everything the Disney-owned Marvel Studios has been working toward with its Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Beginning with 2008’s “Iron Man,” the MCU is an ever-growing collection of movies, along with a few television properties, that have brought to life – and teamed up – major and lesser characters from the pages of Marvel Comics, including longtimers such as Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and more recent great additions such as Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Spider-Man/Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and, last but not least, Black Panther/T’Challa.
Most importantly, it’s simply excellent.
At least in terms of big-budget popcorn movies, “Avengers: Infinity War” is an epic, an almost-shockingly well-made, more-than-two-and-a-half-hour blockbuster that delivers satisfying action while somehow bringing the best of what these characters have had to offer in previous films in a situation that dictates each will get limited time on screen.
It’s a wow. Wow, wow, wow.It is not, however, for the uninitiated. Sure, there is some early exposition that explains the importance of the powerful Infinity Stones and what will happen if hulking bad guy Thanos (a digitally gigantified Josh Brolin) gets his hands on all six of them, scattered here and there in the universe, including on Earth. (In short, it won’t be great for about half the people in the universe.) Still, “Infinity War” more or less assumes you’ve seen many of the previous films, such as last year’s “Thor: Ragnarok.”
The complex affair begins with characters last seen in that film, including Thor and not-so-trustworthy brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) making the not-so-pleasant acquaintance of Thanos and his minions.
The action shifts to Earth, where the dimension-protecting Dr. Strange suddenly materializes, interrupting a pleasant walk-and-talk by the recently engaged Tony Stark and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and introducing himself.
“I need you to come with me,” Dr. Strange tells Tony, adding that the fate of the universe is at stake.
Not long after, we find ourselves with the Guardians of the Galaxy aboard their ship. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), aka Star-Lord, is at the helm and, of course, listening to tunes while the others – Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and the now petulant-teen Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel) – sleep or are otherwise occupied.
The Guardians soon encounter Thor, leading to one of the many fun encounters packed into “Infinity War.” Quill develops an immediate inferiority complex as the others are impressed with the God of Thunder, with Drax and Rocket convincing Peter he’s a sandwich away from becoming fat.
“I’m going to get a Bowflex,” a dejected Quill says.
While the film explores enjoyable new dynamics – Quill-and-Thor, Rocket-and-Thor, Stark-and-Strange – it also plays the hits. For example, we get more of the not-quite-father-son relationship between Peter Parker and Tony.
“What is this guy’s problem, Mr. Stark?” Spidey asks Iron Man, as they battle in the streets of New York City with a magic-wielding servant of Thanos’ who wants an Infinity Stone worn by Strange.
“Uh, he’s from space,” Tony answers. “He came to steal a necklace from a wizard.”
As it has with many of its of its recent high-profile releases, Disney has pleaded with critics not to give away much of the plot, and we’ll play nice. Just know that our heroes’ efforts to stop Thanos will take us to several locations, among them Wakanda, the technologically advanced African country led by T’Challa and that captured the imaginations of movie goers earlier this year in megahit “Black Panther.” Also, we can’t resist hinting that there is one really cool reappearance of a character from one of the earliest films in the MCU.
The amazing list of other previously introduced Marvel characters who have at least a small role to play in “Infinity War” include the powerful Vision (Paul Bettany), who’s missing early in the story; the also powerful Scarlet Witch/Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen), who, we learn, is with him; the skilled Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson); and Nat’s sort-of love interest Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), who’s finding it difficult to conjure his big, green alter ego, The Hulk.
Notable absences include Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye and Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, the latter of whom is at least referenced.
“There’s an Ant-Man AND a Spider-Man,” Bruce, just back from another world, asks Tony with disbelief.
That “Infinity War” is so often funny while also nailing emotional moments is a real credit to the filmmakers, starting with screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, a duo who’s MCU experience dates back to 2011’s “Captain America: The First Avenger.” Throughout “Infinity War,” the pair illustrate they know the best of what these characters – and the actors playing them – have to offer and maximize it.
They even manage to establish a compelling running theme in which one character asks another to make a deep sacrifice he or she may not be able to make himself or herself.
And, amazingly, they make you understand Thanos’ twisted worldview – well, universe view – even if you don’t agree with it. While he’s not the best movie villain by a long shot, it does help him stand out from the pack.
And then there are Anthony and Joe Russo, the brothers, originally from Cleveland, who share the directing credit. Since bursting on the scene with the Cleveland-set “Welcome to Collinwood” in 2002, the Russos seemingly have been preparing for this with 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and, more importantly, 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.” The latter showed they could juggle a host of superheroes effectively. Nonetheless, “Civil War” feels like a high-school class to the college-level course that is “Infinity War.”
The aforementioned moments both comedic and emotionally impacting so well crafted by the writers could have been wasted if not executed correctly by the directors. But, for instance, the Russos make the absolute most of a meaningful early scene between the will-they-won’t-they Guardians pair of Quill and Gamora.
And, as they have in those “Captain America” entries, the Russos show they can handle big action pieces, like this film’s epic battle on the fields of Wakanda.
Not much should be said about the climax of “Infinity War,” of course. However, if you know that next year’s yet-to-be-titled fourth “Avengers” film – which will bring back both the writing and directing teams – was announced in 2014 as “Avengers: Infinity War – Part 2,” you may not be shocked by the general shape of this film’s conclusion.
Nonetheless, to say you’ll be dying to get to that next movie’s release, in May 2019, may be an understatement. (For sitting through this film’s lengthy closing credits, you will be rewarded with a lone extra sequence that give a vague hint at what to expect. And you’re gonna need that.)
“Infinity War” is easily the best of the “Avengers” movies – with 2012’s “Marvel’s The Avengers” and 2015’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” following in that order – and a strong argument can be made it now sits atop the MCU mountain.
‘Avengers: Infinity War’
In theaters: April 27.
Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references.
Runtime: 2 hours, 40 minutes.Stars (of four): 4.
