Avengers: Infinity War Opens In Theaters Today

By Darlene Donloe

The wait is over! All of the Avengers are here!

The third installment of the Avengers franchise and the 19^th Marvel Studios film to date has arrived in theaters.

It goes without saying that Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War is the most impressive collection of iconic superhero characters ever assembled in one film.

Before we get to which characters appear in the film, let’s talk about the film.

First, all Avengers fans will be stoked about the amount of action contained in this two hour and 36-minute film. At a recent screening, the theater was filled with numerous squeals every time a beloved character made their first appearance on screen. 

The dialogue is crisp and incredibly witty. Although there is lots of fighting, there are also lots of funny moments. There are also some tender, emotional moments. The story, 10 years in the making, is interesting and the interplay between the characters is engaging.

Infinity War, directed by Emmy Award-winning directors Anthony and Joe Russo, picks up as the Avengers (some of whom still have a problem with each other) and their allies, continued to protect the world. But this time they are up against the most powerful villain of all time - Thanos, a despot of intergalactic infamy, who will stop at nothing to collect all six Infinity Stones in his quest to wield unimaginable power and his twisted will on all of humanity. A hulking figure, Thanos actually has a surprisingly human side to him, the form of which won’t be revealed in this review. Thanos is a powerful Titan warlord who rules over the furthest regions of space and commands massive armies known as the Chitauri and the Outriders. He sends his followers to earth to collect the two remaining stones that have eluded him.  He wants it done by any means necessary.

Thanos

But first, Thanos has to get pass the Avengers. There are more than 20 heroes and villains in this larger-than-life blockbuster! It really doesn’t matter which character you like more than others. The film’s directors and producers have managed to weave a fine balance between all of the characters. Fans of Black Panther will be happy. Fans of Spider-Man will be happy. Fans of Thor will be happy. Fans of Doctor Strange will be happy. Well, you get my point.

T'Challa/Black Panther

You have T’Challa (Black Panther), Captain America, Iron Man, the Guardians of the Galaxy, Black Widow, The Hulk, Thor, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Falcon and more, all working together to make the world a better place. Come on now, Thanos, you don’t really think you can get past them – do you?  You’re a bad boy, but are you bad enough to take on ALL of the Avengers?

Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord and Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man

The battle scenes and thrilling sequences in this action, science fiction, fantasy and adventure film are numerous and epic! No one is backing down without, well, an all-out war!  This film, which is a bit long, but well worth it, delivers on its promises.

Avengers Assemble!

Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War stars Robert Downey Jr., as Tony Stark/ Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk, Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, Don Cheadle as Colonel James Rhodes/War Machine, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Paul Bettany as Vision,  Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/Falcon,  Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier, Idris Elba as Heimdall, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Benedict Wong as Wong, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Dave Bautista as Drax, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, with Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, with Benicio Del Toro as The Collector, with Josh Brolin as Thanos, and Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord. 

On the DONLOE SCALE:  D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yes) and E (excellent), Avengers: Infinity War gets an E (excellent).

Avengers: Infinity War (Walt Disney Pictures) is RATED PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references)

RUNNING TIME: 156 minutes