This movie is big. Surprisingly bigger than you think. Like watching a distant comet, it looms high above, lumbering towards its destination, but when this comet is heading for you, you can see it for what it really is. A monstrous, swiftly moving piece of matter that will shatter your very concept of life. That is what Avengers | Infinity War is to the modern superhero films. You have seen this moment coming since Nick Fury strode into Tony Stark’s living room. It is every bit the buildup you thought it might be, and more. At its very core, it is comprised of every single personality in Marvel Cinematic Universe, simultaneously living in harmony and conflict. It would be folly to try and give credit to each character because saying one is more important would knock out of balance everything this Infinity War accomplishes. But what I can tell you, without spoiling anything, is that you will leave the theater expecting so much more than average from that point forward, the exact same way you left the theater when the Avengers first assembled.

I am scrambling at 1 o’clock in the morning to write something coherent and relevant. I want you to walk into the theater with a fresh frame of mind, the bar just above where you think the film will reach. And honestly, at this moment, there is nothing I feel like I can say that could possibly make that feat impossible to rise to, at least for the diehards out there. To start, this film has a whip-fast pace with an equally succinct script. No line is wasted, no quip too light. All the characters share the spotlight, equally expressing their essential nature without shedding their humanity. The plot finally brings to light the infinity stones, those little bobbles found throughout the MCU that often impact the plot in some way. Being that they are the essence of all life in the universe, each an aspect that shapes the way we perceive our lives, obtaining them does not come easy for our villain, and stopping him is equally troublesome for our heroes. Infinity War goes a long way to make sure that you understand the balance of power between our champion brutes like The Hulk and Thor when placed against the villainous Thanos. From start to finish, you see power lost and gained, like the weights of a scale. But this film not only places the power to scale, but also humanity. Just like Black Panther’s Killmonger, Thanos has equally valid points of view. He isn’t megalomaniacal. His vision is clear, and his goal is simple. To put it simply, he is a villain you can understand, possibly just shy of sympathy. A rare feat. Just as the heroes have all had their moment, this is Thanos’.

The most enjoyable moments of the film are in how the characters are introduced to each other. The MCU has always had a knack with origin stories, and this one is just an extended origin for the newer characters who have yet to meet, namely the Guardians, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man. Every moment of antagonism or egotism is well met, organic, and entertaining. It plays out exactly as it would in your mind, and you aren’t disappointed by that. In that same vein, I loved that even after all the trailers that have been released for the film, it felt as if every moment was new. On top of that, each character has a special moment wherein you are in their universe alone, almost like a short glimpse into the style from their solo adventure. It’s a nice cherry on top of the end of the world.

Now that I have raised the bar, let’s make sure its on balance. While this film leaves little to waste, there is also no fat to enjoy. There aren’t really any moments to savor, any time to slow down, because time is of the essence, and loss is consequence. At no point will you get to revel in a characters moment because they have to move. The comet is so much closer than they ever realized. All the loose ends from the other films, particularly Civil War, are left unanswered. Or rather, they are pushed aside. Politely recognized, but pushed aside. After all, the most powerful being in the universe is coming. This isn’t so much disappointing as it was recognizable. It’s like a scar with a scab that has healed over, your finger lightly pressing it, allowing you to enjoy the dull pain.

Through all the ups and downs the MCU has thrown at us, Avengers | Infinity War proves our confidence was well placed. This isn’t anything like other great superhero films. You might be thinking I am likening this to The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 2, Logan, or even the most recent great, Black Panther. It’s much more unique than that. It doesn’t fit into those molds and can’t really be measured the same way. It isn’t one story. It isn’t a sequel. It is a hybrid, like a ring that all threads tie to, and so much bigger now than its previous iterations. It’s a new, vibrant hub. It begins new ripples, like throwing a pebble into a still pond. It doesn’t scratch any one itch directly, but several very lightly. This is truly a Marvel Comic come to life. And where Avengers 2 fell short, where Civil War dug deeper, where Iron Man started, where untold wealth was found in Black Panther, the Infinity War has taken shape. By that merit, it may fall short of the more profound stories found in a single heroes arch, but it covers a lot of ground in so many different ways. I promise. You will not leave this theater without saying “Wow”. One way or another.

~* 9/10 *~