Did You See Infinity War? Let’s Talk About It
[SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS MANY INFINITY WAR SPOILERSS!]
Avengers: Infinity War rolled into theaters last night. If you got to see it, we have a lot to talk about. If you’re waiting a couple of days, be warned that HERE BE ALL OF THE SPOILERS.
Thursday night marked my second viewing of Avengers: Infinity War. It’s … a lot, right? I think I’m still trying to process this movie, because so much happens, and at the same time, all of it happens so quickly. From Thanos’ attack on the Asgardian refugee ship to New York to Scotland to Wakanda to Titan and back, everything zooms and zips about. There’s so much action that my main issue with the dizzying pace is that we don’t get to have as many heart-to-heart moments as I’d like, but like so many things Infinity War, we may have to wait for Avengers 4 for final resolution.
I’m still trying to work out how and why the end surprised me so much. Logically, we’ve known what Thanos’ goal was for the Gauntlet forever. Mark Ruffalo—adorable king of accidental spoilers—even joked that everyone was going to die months ago. But somehow, it’s like my brain never quite thought Thanos was going to do it, that something would stop him in the nick of time, and that maybe the movie would end with the cliffhanger of the Gauntlet finally assembled, or with a single epic death of someone crucial like Captain America or Iron Man. NOPE!
I think the reason that those scenes of people vanishing are so effective is for two reasons: one, the stunning special effects and sound just make it really transcendent; two, the surprise element of not knowing who would disappear next. The tragedy of some of those vanishings, like Bucky falling to dust in front of Steve, and Peter disappearing in Tony’s arms as he pleads to stay, is what made this end extra painful and vital.
And speaking of pain, can we talk about that brutal opening scene on the Asgardian refugee vessel? I know I’ve been predicting it for months, but some people argued there was no way Marvel would begin this film with genocide, and then they did! It hurt my heart quite a bit.
What else stood out for you? Let’s talk in the comments. I have a lot of lingering emotions.
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