Avengers: Endgame

Though not outright admiration, Endgame does at least deserve sincere recognition for how the creators managed to link the more than twenty films of the Marvel Universe so far, developing motifs from pretty much every one of them, but still holding things together somehow. And also because, even though the result was clear in advance (that end of Infinity War would be reversed), the way there managed to surprise more than once. The time travel scenes are really quite original. On the other hand, the effort to show at least for a moment almost every single character that’s had screen time in the ten-year history of the Marvel movies ended up hurting it. I felt it was way too overcrowded (both in the number of characters, as well as in the motifs, styles and moods), and I wasn’t able to fully focus and immerse myself in it. It also carries on with the typical problem of the Avengers films, the lack of a face of their own (which doesn’t apply to the solo outfits). It’s simply aesthetically uninteresting. I’m also giving it a 7/10, and the lower rating is because of what they did with Thor. That wasn’t humour, that was pure cringe. (26.04.2019)

On the one hand, I'm glad the Russos broke the sequel rule of "cram more in than last time" and went a different route. But the truth is that this path is going more towards comic book fans than people who have no idea what Ant-Man's real name is... but they're not going to the cinema anyway, so what? Endgame manages to shock a few times in the first ten minutes, only to evolve in a direction that the trailers practically didn't even hint at. The directing duo conceived the whole thing in a much more intimate fashion this time around, relying heavily on fan service and clearly wanting to give each of the superhero veterans plenty of space. The humour is not absent this time either, but it's nice that the heroes are still aware that they screwed up last time and everyone has to deal with it in their own way. This more intimate mode suits the Avengers and makes things happen that even the most optimistic fans probably didn't hope for. Ironically, though, it's also the biggest problem, because it doesn't really start to get spectacular until the end. In sheer magnificence, Infinity War probably trumps Endgame, but I still felt like the whole thing could have come a little sooner. I enjoyed it a little more last time, but I can't imagine putting Infinity War on in a few years and saying I don't give a shit about Endgame. All in all, it works practically perfectly. And as a farewell to an era of cinema, more than worthy as well. (28.04.2019)

There is no doubt about the fact that the realization possibilities of a Hollywood blockbuster are at their peak. An expertly crafted ride that has no time to hesitate or fumble. But it lacked emotionally for me more than I was willing to admit at first. The anticipation of Thanos' uncompromising body count disappears at the snap of a finger, and where others had tears rolling down their faces, I just sat nervously. In that spectacular wringer of emotions, I actually enjoyed one very unexpected emotion when the two grown men just chat on the way to the car. The rest passed me by. Kevin Feige will be taught about someday. Hats off to him. (06.05.2019)

I'm not a big fan of comic book CGI coloring books, but I have to capitulate here. Especially thanks to the middle section, when it clicks together beautifully like a sophisticated jigsaw puzzle that recalls all the previous Marvel movies, and the film rolls out such incredible fan service that it's almost admirable. That and the last nostalgic quarter of an hour will actually show how the suits from Marvel have it perfectly thought out in advance, even ten or fifteen years in advance. A perfectly tuned machine that is unparalleled in today's film studio constellation. Kevin Feige is a stud. (07.05.2019)

Years ago, Marvel films were all the same for me. It is unbelievable how much the whole Marvel universe evolved, and I’ve gradually grown fond of even the characters I originally disliked. The climax came with this installment of Avengers, which I consider worthy of the walk of fame for films in Hollywood Boulevard. This is the ultimate filmmaking epic. For ten years the American filmmakers shower you with comic-book-based movies, just so everything connects into one endlessly awesome final battle against Thanos, probably the scariest adversary of comic book heroes ever. His goal is not to create evil, but to establish neutrality and the worst thing is that he has some solid arguments and fully believes in them. I had so much respect for this guy. I have also enjoyed the three hours long experience that had a good premise and message, entertained me and most of all, it gave enough space to every hero, which deserves applause. To put together all of this must have taken an enormous amount of work and I am happy I can award it today with the ultimate five stars. I could try to find some faults with it, but why would I do it? It was awesome! (09.05.2019)