So, my basic review...since this is a spoilers section?
Wow. So much done right, so little done wrong.
First, they gave enough time to the subplots to allow them their own space to be interesting.
Second, they gave good development screentime to their newer characters, Vision and Spiderman. Though, minor gripe, Vision was way too weak. They explain it, kindaaaa? But, with everything else going on in the movie, I didn't really care. I'm not really a fan of the character, so him as the "damsel" of the movie didn't really bother me, but it still seemed a bit out of place with how kickass he was the last time we saw him (which, I haven't seen every movie, but by my memory, was Civil War).
That said, I really loved what they did with Scarlet Witch. Very true to the powers she had in the comics. They've changed the character a lot, but I think that was needed, and I like what they are doing with her.
I didn't see Black Panther (wanted to, my grandfather passed on a long trail during that period, and couldn't make it to the theaters) and I didn't see Ragnarok because, well, I just missed it, really. Heard both were good...just didn't make it out to see them.
When the movie opened, I felt like I was missing out on the Ragnarok plotline (probably because I am). I had no idea how the Hulk got there, but I did still appreciate the scene and the joke about the "we have a Hulk". The Loki redemption thing has been there for a whIile in the Thor series, so I sortof knew he was a baddie turned good, and expected what we saw, but was glad they played it out the way they did. Having not seen Ragnarok, there was enough missing backstory that I was left going...um, ok, they could have gone another direction with him?
Did NOT expect him to die (though, he'll be back, I'm sure...or not...we'll see).
But, great opening scene, got me interested in it...
So, only seen it once, so I can't go scene by scene, but from there, as I recall, they jumped to Iron Man meeting Dr. Strange. Well done. I feel like there could have been a bit more quips (probably are in deleted scenes), but they really did a good job of establishing these characters as "equals", but with different views on "reality" (one the tech based Stark, the other the spiritual based Strange), who play off each other well. This set up is rewarding by the end of the film.
I could keep stepping scene by scene as I recall them, but we've all seen the film, and this is spoiler territory, so...I'll leave it with, they took their time introducing each of the groups and subplots within their own theme (the introduction of the Guardians was great!).
Just...really well done. Good pacing, funny interactions, and everyone was...themselves.
But, what really blew my mind, is how they handled Thanos. He could have been just a big ol' baddie. But, they took time with him, to explain him. This, was important. He wasn't a Snoke who was a baddie, but got chopped in half (how SUBVERSIVE)...no...
He had motivations.
Motivations deeper and more interesting than even "they did bad things to me so I hate them"...real motivations.
Motivations that...frankly, have been bantered around before...by intellectuals. In recent history.
And no, I'm not going Godwin.
Actually, I'm going to refer you to this:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Guidestones
- Maintain humanity under 500,000,000 in perpetual balance with nature.
- Guide reproduction wisely — improving fitness and diversity.
- Unite humanity with a living new language.
- Rule passion — faith — tradition — and all things with tempered reason.
- Protect people and nations with fair laws and just courts.
- Let all nations rule internally resolving external disputes in a world court.
- Avoid petty laws and useless officials.
- Balance personal rights with social duties.
- Prize truth — beauty — love — seeking harmony with the infinite.
- Be not a cancer on the earth — Leave room for nature — Leave room for nature.
Now, most people think these were actually set up by Ted Turner. Possibly...who knows. But, obviously no one supports a culling (the film actually goes into WHY that is such a terrible idea in a way that isn't preachy at all...it's real).
And, then they leave it. No reset, no magic ending. He got his sunset.
Thanos won. For now.
So, like I said earlier. In today's film industry...