IT’S NOT ALL FUN AND GAMES IN AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
Every time I review a Marvel movie (with the exception of “Black Panther”), I can’t help but use a simile that popped up while reviewing “Captain America: Civil War.” These movies are like eating at a chain restaurant. It’s comforting because you know what you’re going to get, but it’s never anything new or exciting. To extend the metaphor to “Avengers: Infinity War” — which is a Part One, even if it isn’t named as such — this offering is a lot like ordering the sampler platter. It’s the stuff we know and like, in different combinations, but you’re not going to get a full meal of anything you particularly love.
But “Infinity War,” written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, isn’t all comfort food. In fact, it’s a very dark film about loss and grief, following our group of superheroes through the traumas and violence they’ve endured. It also attempts to pull the rug out from under fans that have followed these characters from film to film for a decade.
Don’t worry though, there’s still a healthy amount of easy humour threaded throughout (one of the hallmarks of the Marvel superhero films, where the heroes crack wise as much as they crack heads). The film almost plays like a comedy in a crowded theatre, especially with some of the more inspired pairings. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) finds himself teaming up with Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), and the two cocky geniuses trade dry barbs. When Thor (Chris Hemsworth) crashes into the windshield of the Guardians of the Galaxy, the Starlord (Chris Pratt) is instantly emasculated by the impressive God of Thunder.
The pairings and deft humour are the best part of the film, and the plot, helpfully, leaves a lot of room for that to breathe. With so many characters and backstories to weave together, the story isn’t all that complicated. Giant purple space titan Thanos (Josh Brolin) has some strong beliefs about overpopulation and resource management. The problem is he thinks random genocide is the only way to solve this. He’s trying to collect six powerful infinity stones, elemental gems that will make it that much easier for him to disappear half of the beings in the universe. Crystals are hot right now, but this is taking it a bit far.
Although the Avengers have broken up, flung to the outermost corners of the universe, they do, well, assemble, to fight Thanos and prevent him from getting all his coveted precious jewels. It’s tremendous fun watching the band get back together, introducing some new members and seeing them all jam. The dialogue is smart, fast and highly self-aware, and it adds much needed pizzazz to a backdrop that’s largely just blasted grey space rocks (a trip to Wakanda is a welcome respite).
But “Avengers: Infinity War” isn’t all fun and games. These heroes are tired, they’ve lost loved ones, they seek revenge, they’ve torn themselves apart. They are committed to one last gig to save (half ) the universe, but it doesn’t seem joyous. They’re all dealing with grief in some form or another, and relationships are tested, broken apart and destroyed.
These themes are a bit of a bellwether for fans, who, at the end of the film, just might be dealing with these own emotions themselves. And that is the most surprising thing about “Infinity War” — that Marvel goes dark. But they do so in such a way you can’t help but consider they haven’t pitched the stakes quite right (overblown stakes are yet another hallmark of the Marvel cinematic universe). But despite any nagging implausibility, the emotions there are real, because, truthfully, these characters have earned it.