‘Avengers’
characters in such a way that the numerous plot threads never get tangled.
One of the sterling accomplishments is how the different heroes are mixed and matched to create instances of both conflict and humor. The best of the teaming comes when the snarky Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) has to work with the no-nonsense Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch). Both actors have an uncanny ability to make even an innocent line sound like a blast from an insult cannon and they come out firing. Just behind them is the interaction between Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) that is more comical than contradictory.
There are even moments that show Thanos is more than just a planet killer. Despite the heavy special effects to turn Brolin into the gigantic purple-skinned creature, he is able to show a wide range of emotions through his facial expressions and his voice. Actors never get the praise they deserve when they work in such heavy special effects roles, but Brolin deserves high praise for getting so much out of what could have been just a lumbering space villain in less skilled hands.
“Avengers: Infinity War” is structured so it starts immediately with a big fight scene and then the directors never let off the action gas. As soon as there is even a slight pause in one area, the film shifts to another scene where the action is being ramped to the ultimate.
The movie is loaded with “aha” moments for those who love comic books and the film offerings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s nice to see the directors were willing to sprinkle some fan moments throughout but didn’t saturate the movie to the point of distraction the way a movie like “Ready Player One” overdid it.
“Avengers: Infinity War” has taken all of the elements that have made past films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe work and given them a shot of steroids.