In all honesty, I think the title of this review pretty much speaks for itself. I've watched dozens of superhero movies over the years, from both DC and Marvel, and I can confidently say now that this was the first film which actually looked, sounded, and felt like a comic book movie to me, not just an action movie featuring people with supernatural powers and colorful costumes. It actually felt like I was witnessing a comic book crisis crossover unfold on the big screen right before my eyes. I went into this movie with high expectations, almost all of which were met.
Story: Let's be honest, Marvel Studios was never going to give us a perfect page to film translation of the Infinity War and Infinity Gauntlet story lines from the comics. There are just too many characters involved who either have yet to be introduced into the MCU (Adam Warlock) or are inaccessible for legal reasons (X-Men and Fantastic Four). That being said, this film still features the largest ensemble cast for any superhero film I have ever seen. Credit should be given to Marvel Studios for finding a way to weave so many different characters and story lines into a single, (mostly) coherent narrative. In the hands of a less competent studio (Fox, Sony, Warner Bros., etc.) this film could have easily collapsed under its own weight. Thanos is one of the best villains in the MCU, if not the best. He always steals the show, regardless of whether he is fighting his enemies or engaging in conversation with other characters. It felt like he was the villain protagonist and the Avengers were the heroic antagonists opposing his genocidal plans.
Visual Effects: More than anything else in the film, my jaw dropped the first time I laid eyes on the main antagonist, Thanos. It boggles my mind how well the VFX team designed him. Never have I seen a CGI villain who looked so life-like. The way the hair on his arms moved individually, the age spots, blemishes, and veins on his skin, and the subtle expressions on his face at every moment made him appear awesome. If only the rest of his crew was given the same level of visual complexity. The final battles in Wakanda and Titan were so overstuffed with action and environmental detail that I have no idea how the studio intends to one up themselves in the sequel.
Music: Compared to other Hollywood franchises, the MCU always felt like it was lacking in the musical department. That is no longer the case for this movie. Infinity war and Black Panther might be the only MCU films that compel me to download their theatrical scores, as they were really that good.
In conclusion, I unabashedly loved this film and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone else interested in superhero fiction.
The Greatest Comic Book Film I have Ever Watched
In all honesty, I think the title of this review pretty much speaks for itself. I've watched dozens of superhero movies over the years, from both DC and Marvel, and I can confidently say now that this was the first film which actually looked, sounded, and felt like a comic book movie to me, not just an action movie featuring people with supernatural powers and colorful costumes. It actually felt like I was witnessing a comic book crisis crossover unfold on the big screen right before my eyes. I went into this movie with high expectations, almost all of which were met.
Story: Let's be honest, Marvel Studios was never going to give us a perfect page to film translation of the Infinity War and Infinity Gauntlet story lines from the comics. There are just too many characters involved who either have yet to be introduced into the MCU (Adam Warlock) or are inaccessible for legal reasons (X-Men and Fantastic Four). That being said, this film still features the largest ensemble cast for any superhero film I have ever seen. Credit should be given to Marvel Studios for finding a way to weave so many different characters and story lines into a single, (mostly) coherent narrative. In the hands of a less competent studio (Fox, Sony, Warner Bros., etc.) this film could have easily collapsed under its own weight. Thanos is one of the best villains in the MCU, if not the best. He always steals the show, regardless of whether he is fighting his enemies or engaging in conversation with other characters. It felt like he was the villain protagonist and the Avengers were the heroic antagonists opposing his genocidal plans.
Visual Effects: More than anything else in the film, my jaw dropped the first time I laid eyes on the main antagonist, Thanos. It boggles my mind how well the VFX team designed him. Never have I seen a CGI villain who looked so life-like. The way the hair on his arms moved individually, the age spots, blemishes, and veins on his skin, and the subtle expressions on his face at every moment made him appear awesome. If only the rest of his crew was given the same level of visual complexity. The final battles in Wakanda and Titan were so overstuffed with action and environmental detail that I have no idea how the studio intends to one up themselves in the sequel.
Music: Compared to other Hollywood franchises, the MCU always felt like it was lacking in the musical department. That is no longer the case for this movie. Infinity war and Black Panther might be the only MCU films that compel me to download their theatrical scores, as they were really that good.
In conclusion, I unabashedly loved this film and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone else interested in superhero fiction.