Avengers: Infinity War

I can't imagine how it could have been done better. The third Avengers isn't a perfect movie, of course, but with this many characters, it was clear that it couldn't be done without compromise. Fortunately, the Russos didn't make too many of them. The first half, when the film is just getting its breath for the epic mayhem, pushes a little too hard on the humour, but given that there wasn't much room for character development and some more complicated plot, it doesn't really matter that much. Something had to be going on. And then it starts to get more intense and it's something to watch, whether it's the battles between confused heroes who don't know each other, the efforts to take down Thanos, or the epic battle in Wakanda. At Disney, though, they knew that a bunch of characters with no room to properly show off and rush towards an epic finale probably wouldn't be enough, so here's Thanos. The MCU's best and most interesting villain is given more space than most heroes, and you'll be glad for it, because he's not a one-dimensional villain, and Josh Brolin as the purple titan lives up to the reputation build across several movies as a total annihilator, but he can also sell the more emotionally-charged scenes. I could have asked for more room for the characters, their relationships with each other, or some more significant emotional development, but there just wasn't room for it here. So, good for me. I don't really know what I could criticize about it in any significant way. In the context of the "make the greatest comic book film ever" brief, it couldn't have been much better. (07/27/2018)

This movie probably has a record for most A-class actors appearing in a single blockbuster movie. But the quality fluctuates depending on who’s on the screen. Scenes with The Guardians of the Galaxy characters, Thor or young Spiderman are really amusing, and the humor quality is often even close to Thor: Ragnarok. On the other hand, Iron Man, Captain America or Black Panther are on the screen most of the time and they balance the fun out by mostly leading serious talks. Which is exactly the reason I can’t give it five stars. However, it’s probably the most action-filled comic blockbuster ever filmed. I felt like the two and a half hours were a constant action thrill ride. Something was always happening, it had a good flow and it was fun. Also, the main villain played by Josh Brolin was excellent. The ending was exemplary, they couldn’t have enticed me better to go see the sequel. I was very satisfied. But I’ll save the five-star rating for another comic book movie adaptation. (05/10/2018)

“Mother f ...!” The same sh*t for the third time, just longer, bigger, with more characters (actually with all of them) and especially the best villain and an interesting ending. Just like with all Marvel movies, this opus failed to hold my attention throughout (sometimes my thoughts wandered elsewhere), but from the Avengers series, I enjoyed this one the most. This movie stands out for the sparks between the serious bunch and the Guardians (who work much better as a diversion than as protagonists), more room for a serious Thor (whose infantile comedy acting in Ragnarok didn’t sit well with me), and the variety and abundance of the actors that you just have to like. To maintain such a level of professional craftsmanship and the ability to constantly increase the satisfaction and enthusiasm of fans over an entire decade is admirable. I bow down before the phenomenon that is Marvel. (04/26/2018)

Apart from some minor tweaking, it's still the same Marvel space soap opera. What makes it so special this time is the extreme number of main characters, which is an interesting ploy, because it's clear that everyone will find something to like, apart from the absence of Hawkeye, everyone will have their favourite on screen. Another positive is Josh Brolin, whose digital face and voice conveys more emotion than most normal characters put together. An actor who has the advantage that he doesn't have to do much, just look and say something here and there – that's how charismatic he is. The other good thing is the dramatic weighing of the characters of Captain America and Stark – both in good ways. The negatives are still the same. Again, the destruction of the world (and the relatively solid motivation doesn't excuse it), digital monsters, unimaginative heavy-handed action scenes, pathos, bumbling around unknown planets, finding unknown things at unknown blacksmiths, and aside for a few more adrenaline-filled moments like Thanos vs Hulk, Thanos vs Stark, etc. then it's a downright cheesy action finale with a few cool catchphrases, usually provided by the members of the Guardians of the Galaxy. (05/04/2018)

Brace for impact! Thanos always seemed to me like a strange rubber figure with an obscene chin, but he largely grabs Infinity War for himself. Finally, a surprisingly well-drawn mega-villain who works differently than a hanger for inflated weapons. Otherwise, it's like when your favorite characters are pounded into a giant mixer, from which they fly to different corners of the galaxy and some of them may not live to see the next film. The chemistry of the mash-up is very well set up, both the lively Guardians humor and the Avenger pathos work, and they complement each other very nicely. The Russo’s again excellently directed the film. It has a strangely realistic, darkened touch, and it also fits into the flashy key of Ragnarok. I rejoiced for two and a half hours, because someone always appears epically and saves someone else... almost until the end. Avengers: Infinity War is a great combination of fun and fan emotion, a truly dignified first act of a film that closes the era. Some may miss a clearer point, but I take it as an invitation to another Avenger joyride in a year. I'm already standing in line like a fakin MCU bitch. You got me there... (04/25/2018)