The Avengers: Endgame - A Review : HopeStreamRadio

The Avengers: Endgame – A Review

Is The Avengers: Endgame worth seeing? People have a broad range of opinions and here Steph Nickel shares her viewpoint.

What about you? Did you see The Avengers: Endgame? Share your experience below, or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.

The Avengers: Endgame Opening Weekend

You may know that The Avengers: Endgame came out on April 25. And it’s a given that opening weekend will bring in millions of dollars. Truth be told, I won’t be going on opening weekend—not likely at least—but I do want to see the movie.

If you’re not a fan of superhero movies, you won’t understand all the hype. But whether you’re a fan or not, I’d like to share why I like some of these movies.

The Avengers Characters

I feel strongly about one or more characters. There are stories that are plot-driven and those that are character-driven. While I enjoy a fast-paced movie with lots of action, if I don’t care about the characters, I won’t watch it over and over, and I’ll be far less likely to recommend it to others.

Because I have seen all The Avengers movies and several of the character’s origin stories as well, I have come to care about the characters and want to find out what happens to them.

I Become Emotionally Invested

I become emotionally invested in their circumstances. Our circumstances and the challenges others face can cause us to dial back our emotions. It’s hard to achieve our day-to-day responsibilities if we allow ourselves to become overwhelmed. And, on top of that, if we read even the headlines of world events, it can all be virtually immobilizing.

I’ve found this to be true in my own life. I think I allow myself to become emotionally invested in the lives of fictional characters so I can process all the emotions that would otherwise make me ineffective for the tasks God has called me to.

An Opportunity to Unwind

No matter how intense the story, humorous banter and one-liners give me the opportunity to take a breath and decompress emotionally.

Some movies, no matter what genre, can be emotionally intense from the first scene until the credits role. There are very few movies like this that I enjoy. And even fewer books—because they require much more of a time commitment.

Memorable One-Liners

Marvel, especially The Avengers franchise, includes several brilliant and memorable one-liners. Recently, I discovered that one of my favourite lines was actually suggested by a child who was on the set during the filming of Thor: Ragnarok.

When Thor faces off against the Hulk in the arena, Thor looks up at the observers and says, “It’s okay. He’s a friend from work.”

If you haven’t seen the movie, this line won’t likely strike you as humorous, but it does bring lightness to what would be an extremely intense situation if it were real.

Suspended Reality

No matter how unrealistic the plotline, the characters and the story draw me in so completely that I willingly suspend reality for a couple of hours. (Endgame is about three hours long, by the way.)

Making a movie includes hundreds, even thousands, of people. They work together to make it the best it can be. And when it comes to superhero movies, the cast and crew have their work cut out for them. But no matter how well each person does their job, if the actors don’t make me believe they are actually their characters, it doesn’t particularly matter how well the stunts are done or how realistic the computer graphics.

For the duration of an Avengers movie, Scarlett Johansson is Black Widow, Brie Larson is Captain Marvel, Tom Huddleston is Loki, etc.

Going Along For the Ride

I am definitely not what you would call an adrenaline junkie, but a superhero movie allows me to go along for the ride—from the safety of my reclining theatre seat.

Years ago, there was a display at the Science Centre in Toronto, ON, that allowed you to determine how much of a risk-taker you were based on your answers to a number of questions. I scored either 0 or 1. As I said, I am definitely not an adrenaline junkie.

But I am totally getting wrapped up in a movie like The Avengers for a few hours.

Forming a Worldview

I understand why many people aren’t fans. Books and movies can help form a person’s worldview. And often that worldview doesn’t line up with the Scriptures. Certain scenes or dialogue in a movie may cause the viewer to become uncomfortable. If you feel you have to justify watching a movie, it’s likely best to avoid it. This is a decision each of us must make for him- or herself.

Further, I understand why some fans give poor reviews after seeing a much anticipated movie. “It didn’t stay true to the original storyline.” “The special effects where laughable.” “The story had plot holes you could pilot a spaceship through.”

Even though the initial reviews are glowing, I’m sure there will be fans who find fault with the most recent iteration of The Avengers as well.

Now you know why I like the movies in the MCU (Marvel Comics Universe)—most of them at least.

Why do you enjoy the movies you watch? What are some of your favourites?

Steph Nickel

Stephanie is a freelance writer and a contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio. Read and hear more from Steph Nickel on the contributor’s page or at Steph Nickel’s Eclectic Interests.

Stephanie’s show, “Family Life Lessons,” airs from Monday to Friday on HopeStreamRadio.