So I've seen this movie now 3 times (Thursday first showing, Friday and Sunday) and it definitely holds up for me! I know most of us have been waiting years for this since Thanos was first teased... but I've been waiting for this since I was a kid reading comic books in the early to mid 90's. I still have the Infinity Gauntlet comics from when I was a kid and it's one of my favorite storylines. Plus, I'm a huge Thanos fan. Thanos, along with Apocalypse, are my favorite comic book villains. Anyways, my initial reaction was the same as a lot of you guys here. Jaw literally dropped not able to process everything immediately. I honestly don't think they could've made the movie any better than they did. A lot of things could've gone wrong but the stars aligned and they ****in' pulled it off. Marvel did it!
I'll touch on some things that I've read in this thread and give my point of view and opinion...
I havent seen anyone bring this up but I thought it was a really nice touch to have the corresponding stone(s) that was being used light up and glow on the gauntlet. If I remember correctly, on Titan there was a sequence where Thanos and Dr. Strange are engaging and Thanos uses one stone followed by another
it instantly reminded me of a comic book panel come to life for some reason. It was awesome!
CGI: They did an excellent job with everything. From Thanos, to The Black Order, to the planets and the gauntlet effects. There were only 3 shots I immediately caught my first time watching and didn't find any others during my second or third. The closeup or Corvus Glaive when he first got impaled was really weird to me. His facial expression looked goofy and it didn't get better the next two times I saw it. The shot in Wakanda with Black Widow and the background and of course Bruce Banner's head in the Hulkbuster.
Hulk vs. Thanos: Im a huge Hulk fan and it was disappointing seeing him get wrecked like that. However, I think it was necessary to not only the story being told, but also to Bruces arc. Remember, the Russo brothers said these movies (Thor Ragnarok, Infinity War and Avengers 4) would be a trilogy of sorts for him. Im confident that his evolution will be on display and hell have another crack at Thanos in Avengers 4. Heres my view regarding Hulk not cooperating with Bruce
like others have mentioned before, Hulk is essentially a child (mentally of course). Hes stubborn and possibly scared. Hes never been beaten like that before. Im sure Bruce and Hulk will work it out for the next film. Im hoping that in the final battle in Avengers 4, Hulk goes full on WWH (obviously not exactly like in the comics but just enough to give him the edge needed) on Thanos. The final battle with Onslaught comes to mind and I think would work well in this story. Bruce lets Hulk take over and rages out of control just pounding away. This would give the other heroes the distraction needed and a window for the final blow. Just wishful thinking on my part lol.
To those saying Hulk lost due to the Power Stone, thats incorrect. The Power Stone is never lit during their fight. Anytime during the movie that the stones were used they would light up and glow. Thanos beat him fair and square, no Power Stone required.
Deaths not meaning anything: I completely disagree with the people saying the deaths after the snap don't matter because the characters will return some how. People are focusing too much on the destination and not the journey. If they return or not doesn't take away from seeing it happen on screen. Seeing Okoye's face when Black Panther disappears, Captain America not knowing what the **** is going on with Bucky, Peter pleading with Tony that he doesn't wanna go and saying I'm sorry. That's some heavy **** and if you're so caught up with "you're fine, Marvel is making too much money so you're definitely coming back" line of thinking then I don't know what to tell you... you must be the life of the party and I would hate to watch movies with you. I guess all movies are no longer believable 'cause the good guy always wins. I know Spider-Man has a sequel coming out after Avengers 4. But the moment he was disappearing during the film I wasn't thinking about that... I immediately started thinking about how much he looks up to Tony and even tho Tony would never admit it, he looks at Peter kinda like a son. **** was heartbreaking.
Part 1 and Part 2: Not sure why people keep calling this a Part 1 movie. The Russo brothers already explained why its no longer a Part 1 and instead its own movie. For the past few months, theyve been saying this was Thanos movie and that it was more of a heist type film. For all intents and purposes, this is an Avengers movie by name only. But they cant market a Thanos movie
well Im sure they could, but it wouldnt have the same marketing cache as an Avengers movie would. The plot of the story is Thanos quest for the stones and to erase half of all life in the universe to bring balance. He gets each stone one by one, theres character development and logical reasoning for his quest is given and its believable. It ends with him fulfilling his destiny and a final shot of him smiling into the sunrise/sunset (dont quite remember which word he used). His quest and the movie is now over. This is not a Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1 and 2 situation where the movie is literally cut in half due to the sheer length of the film. Does this movie progress the story within the universe and have lasting effects and repercussions? Yes, it does. But its not a Part 1 just like The Avengers isnt a Part 1 to Age of Ultron. If that were the case, then wed be on Part 19 since all the movies are interconnected in some way or fashion. I bet the next movie will have a different tone and feel and possibly pacing as well. I doubt you would be able to watch both films back to back and say it's one film cut in two like Deathly Hollows was.
Soul Stone Scene: This worked for me on so many levels. Visually, it looked amazing. The dialogue between Thanos and Gamora was good too. When she realized that he does love her and is about to sacrifice her... damn. Then it went slow motion while he pulled her towards the edge. Not much else to say aside from it was a nice touch to have Red Skull come back.
The Snap: I can't believe they did it... I know we've all been speculating that they would end it with the snap but goddamn they actually did it and pulled it off. All the death scenes worked for me but the standout and gut wrenching one was Peter. We were not prepared and I'm not gonna lie, I shed a tear. Him pleading with Tony was heartbreaking man.
The Black Order: I think they served their purpose. Ebony Maw was the clear standout but they all worked for me story wise. They definitely looked badass though.
Titan Battle Scene: This looked like it was literally out of a comic book. Thanos threw a ****in' moon at them! Quite possibly my favorite fight scene in a comic book movie.
Interactions: Not much to be said other than they all worked for me. This is what we all wanted and they delivered with all the quips and jokes. Standouts were Tony, Strange and Peter. Thor and the Guardians but more so Thor and Rocket. Their quiet scene in the pod was so well made.
Fan Reactions: Man opening night people were hyped! Everything got quiet real quick during the opening scene... people were in disbelief how Thanos manhandled Hulk and then killing Loki. Everyone laughed for just about all the jokes. Standouts were the Drax standing still, Thor calling Rocket sweet rabbit, Peter saying "oh we're using our made up names" but they all went over well with my audience. During the death sequence there were audible gasps and a very somber and silent room when the credits started to roll. I could tell the people around could not believe the movie was over.
Other comments:
God Thor with Stormbreaker is OP lol. His entrance in Wakanda and the "Where is Thanos" line was awesome.
Thor's side quest worked for me even tho it felt a tad bit long but it was necessary to show why the hammer is important and how it's made.
I will miss Loki... his death scene was gruesome by Marvel standards.
Like many others, I think anyone pre snap is dead and not coming back... although with Gamora they can use some kind of Soulverse or Soul Reality scenario where she's trapped inside and not actually dead. Loki won't come back.
Thanos playing the dad role and testing Peter on whether he would keep his word with Gamora was a really nice touch.
This definitely tops my list of favorite MCU movie and comic book movie... quite possibly any summer blockbuster for that matter. I've been to a lot of midnight screenings (Star Wars, MCU, Harry Potter, etc.) but I have never felt so much hype for a movie like I did before watching this one. The only other comparable moment during a movie where I felt the same type of awe was when I first watch Jurassic Park as a kid in the movie theater. The first time I saw the brachiosaurus and then the T-Rex is the only comparable moment for me with this movie and more specifically the Snap sequence.
10/10 for me and I will be watching at least 2 more times! Can't wait for the 4K Blu-ray!
Damn, I wrote a lot lol I'll stop now...