Avengers Infinity War review: A superpowered extravaganza
It’s everything you’d expect, and unlike anything we’ve seen from Hollywood’s superhero factories.
They’ve fought arch-villains before, alone and together, in 18 films set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Now, Marvel-dom’s finest must take on their most formidable foe yet, Thanos (an imposing motion-capture performance by Josh Brolin), a warlord / tyrant determined to gain control of the cosmos.
All he needs for his nefarious scheme to succeed are six small gemstones imbued with magical powers. So it’s going to take every superhero in the land to make a stand against him.
It’s a superhero alliance unlike anything we’ve seen from Hollywood. Louder, lengthier and supremely entertaining, Avengers: Infinity War provides just the kind of eye-popping spectacle you’d expect.
Helming their third Marvel feature (after Captain America: The Winter Soldier in 2014 and Captain America: Civil War in 2016), co-directors Anthony and Joe Russo get the viewer to invest in the fate of the diverse characters. They also infuse the dialogue with smart one-liners.
The extended climactic showdown in Wakanda is one of the most compelling and poignant set-pieces in recent memory. There is an equally inspiring post-end-credits teaser for the as-yet- untitled concluding chapter in this two-part adventure, due for release in 2019.
The ensemble, of course, is a treat — Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk, Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr Strange, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Pratt as Star Lord, Tom Holland as Spider-Man, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow and Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther, plus Tom Hiddleston, Zoe Saldanha, Benicio del Toro, Bradley Cooper, Letitia Wright, Gwyneth Paltrow, Iris Elba and Vin Diesel.
Peter Dinklage is a delightful new addition, as the resourceful dwarf who helps forge a new hammer for Thor. It is admittedly difficult to keep track of what each of the super-powered protagonists is up to, especially since some of them make only the briefest of appearances.
Still, …Infinity War is a treat, and a welcome addition to the now-decade-old Avengers series. Already, we can’t wait for the next one.