It’s finally here! After 10 years and 18 previous entries into the ever growing Marvel Cinematic Universe, and hot on the trail of another Marvel mega hit, Black Panther, comes Avengers Infinity War. Boasting a cast of 23 heroes alone, this film marks the first 10 years of the MCU in the biggest and best way possible. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Zoe Saldana, and Josh Brolin as Thanos, the cast and crew of Infinity War go all in to give us a spectacle unparalleled in cinema. While some will criticize the films plot for being too basic or generic, the film never gets lost in itself or its direction, and for being a comic book movie, boasts a huge emotional pull from the audience. While staying in the spoiler free zone, I doubt anyone will walk out of this movie and not have felt every emotion on the spectrum by time the credits begin to roll.

Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier/ Civil War) at this point in their respective careers, the two have demonstrated mastery of not only character, but narrative balance as well. Clocking in at 2 hrs 29 mins, they are given the impossible task of telling an epic story while still balancing characters and progressing the plot, they easily excel at the task. The film never seems rushed, and every hero and villain in the film is given time to have at least one memorable scene/ action. The Russos also manage to juggle upwards of 4 different narratives at a time in the movie without it feeling rushed, and right when you get invested and wait for that next epic moment, they teasingly throw us into the next group. This chopped up style works perfectly for Infinity War, given its above average run time, is still able to hold casual viewers attention, and prolong some jaw dropping surprises and action scenes for the films third act, keeping everyone on the edge of their seat until the last second. The title says Avengers, but this is very much Thanos’ show, giving those that have waited patiently since his appearance in 2012’s Avengers post credits scene more than enough time with the Mad Titan.

Moving on to Thanos, Josh Brolin delivers one of his best performances, bringing the Mad Titan to life using Motion Capture, and giving him such an intensity it could rival Mark Ruffalo’s Mo Cap debut in The Avengers. Thanos is not a very complex character, but Marvel and Brolin do a standout job of bringing the character to life and even though at times the character can be savage to attain his goals, he has such a humanity that you can’t help but feel for him no matter the gravity of his actions. The films special effects are absolutely perfect this time around. If you thought Thanos looks a little silly in the trailers rest assured, he looks perfectly realistic in the films finished product, as do his children, the Black Order, putting to rest that a CGI villain can’t be compelling, as Josh Brolin makes Thanos, in my opinion, the best Marvel can offer. The films cast does a standout job on what is to be one of the MCU’s final chapters in the first 10 year run. Standouts being Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/ Iron-Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, and Dave Bautista as Drax, but all cast members give amazing performances.

Alan Silvestri (Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers) composes the score for Infinity War and it is easily his best yet. Crafting a memorable score is no easy task, needless to say alot happens in this film, but to remember the score out of all the events in the film, and how it perfectly compliments every scene, no matter how epic it ends up being, is a grand feat. Silvestri has somehow enhanced every scene he composed for with this score, tying with Thor: Ragnarok for best score. There has been a question I have seen asked most frequently about Infinity War and that is: Do I have to see all the movies to enjoy it? The answer, No you do not, but if you have seen them all there are little nods and Easter eggs/ references that enhance the viewing experience and really hammer home how long some of us have waited for this film to come. Avengers Infinity War is so mind blowing and epic that I don’t think I can find a flaw with it honestly, even after seeing it twice. My only suggestions are to

A:See Avengers Infinity War as soon as possible if you haven’t already                                    and                                                                                                                                                         B: Stay away from spoilers until you have seen the movie. It is the best way to get maximum enjoyment and surprise factor from the movie.

10 out of 10.

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