A few actual thoughts on Infinity War

[elisi]

First of all - I hope my previous post didn't create the impression that I didn't like the film! It was just a bit like sitting through a whole season of TV, crammed into 2 1/2 hours... No space to breathe.

Way back when the trailers came out I wrote a post. My short take is... that's essentially correct, and that shot of Tony is by far the most affecting in the whole film. ♥

Slightly longer take:


PLOT

- First of all, kudos to the film makers, 'cause the story was easy to follow, even with the ridiculously large cast, which was nice for someone like me who's only seen about half the movies in the franchise so far (f.ex. I've not watched Civil War or Ragnarok).

- Thanos' plan... *hands* Well, it was the same theory as the baddies in Kingsman, although at least that film had the decency to show how all the rich people were orchestrating it and protecting themselves. The idea that killing half the people will AUTOMATICALLY create a better world, without doing a single thing to tackle issues like structural inequality is... I don't have words. I can overlook the inherent silliness of magic stones, since y'know, it's all about superheroes and based on comic books, but Thanos' motivation/hypothesis is difficult to see beyond. (Of course Endgame might show the folly of the whole thing, and I hope so.) ETA: I think the main issue is that our current problems are the destruction of the environment, rising inequality and the re-emergence of fascism. (Plus, y'know, the war in Yemen, the persecution of minorities etc etc) This felt like pure fantasy, without any metaphors as such.

ETA2: Important clarification via jerusha: I think the important thing to remember about Thanos is that he likes killing people. I'm pretty sure he's an unreliable narrator in what his motivations are. I mean, he basically worships death in the comics. Literally, he kills half the universe to prove his love for Death (the personification).
That makes SO MUCH MORE SENSE. Thank you comics.

- As a comparison [on how to do it right] please see Watchmen. Ozymandias >>>>>>>>>> Thanos


CHARACTERS

So, the 13 y.o. and I were in perfect agreement as to who our favourites were!

- Tony Stark (always)

- Spiderman. I had not seen this new one before and MY GOODNESS BUT HE IS THE CUTEST THING EVER! ♥ Also his relationship with Tony is beyond adorable and the whole film could have been those two and I'd have been happy. Tony's little knighting gestures - 'You're an Avenger now' - and generally their whole vibe was MILES AND MILES above ANY other relationship in the whole film. (The romantic relationships included.) It was the only genuinely sad death - I knew that screenshot would turn out to be heart breaking. (We shall now have to watch Homecoming, as well as the animated one, which I wanted to watch anyway.)

- Bruce Banner. He is just such a dear and I want to hug him. (He didn't do much at all, except try to get the Hulk to come out, and failing, but every time he was on screen I was just happy.)

- Thor. Pairing him up with 'the rabbit' & Groot was an INSPIRED choice. Plus his part of the plot (creating a new Hammer etc) was great, as was the moment when he turned up in the middle of the battle. A+, Norse god FTW!


Other characters

- Loki. I think I had an inkling that he might bite the dust (people were VERY UPSET), but didn't realise it'd be so soon. I like Loki, and he's always very entertaining, so thought that it was a bit of a waste, but sort of forgot about him, and he was a great way to fuel Thor's vengeance. (Compare & contrast with the moment when Thanos ran Tony through. Tony is the only one I can't lose; which probably means that he'll bite in the next one.)

- Dr Strange. Hadn't seen his film, but his powers are very nifty.

- The Cap. I literally didn't recognise him. The beard made me think of bearded Action Man and Hank Scorpio from the Simpsons. It's not a bad look, I was just thrown.

Oh goodness, there were so many. IDK. I'm glad Okoye survived. But the ending was basically this:

"Everybodys dead Dave" (Watch on YouTube)

I was literally hearing that tune in my head. (OK, so only HALF the people are dead, but.)



I might come back & add more to this, but for now my mind is blank. Or actually, just talk to me. :)

Comments

[jerusha]

I adored the fact that Bruce really did get a chance to shine without the Hulk. His glee in the armor was a joy and a delight forever.

Tony and Peter's relationship is adorbs. Tom Holland in general is just adorable. And Thor and his "sweet rabbit" cracks me up, but in a sentimental way.

I think the important thing to remember about Thanos is that he likes killing people. I'm pretty sure he's an unreliable narrator in what his motivations are. I mean, he basically worships death in the comics. Literally, he kills half the universe to prove his love for Death (the personification).

[elisi]

I adored the fact that Bruce really did get a chance to shine without the Hulk. His glee in the armor was a joy and a delight forever.
He's like a huge puppy! ♥

Tony and Peter's relationship is adorbs. Tom Holland in general is just adorable.
They stole the whole movie!!

And Thor and his "sweet rabbit" cracks me up, but in a sentimental way.
Especially since the 'rabbit' is anything but sweet. Am still impressed with that particular banding together.

I think the important thing to remember about Thanos is that he likes killing people. I'm pretty sure he's an unreliable narrator in what his motivations are. I mean, he basically worships death in the comics. Literally, he kills half the universe to prove his love for Death (the personification).
THANK YOU! That makes SO much more sense as a motivation than vague altruism (murderous altruism, but still). Have copied your comment into the post. :)

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, I think they changed Thanos' motivation because it seems so absurd when taken from the comics whereas now it seems "topical." But it's so easy to punch holes through it that it didn't work for me. I thought it made much more sense that Thanos was immortal and wanted to die but couldn't, so he was "romancing death" in order to do so.

[yourlibrarian]

We shall now have to watch Homecoming, as well as the animated one, which I wanted to watch anyway.

I'm glad to hear this as IMO it's the best of the Marvel films. Dr. Strange is worth watching too, though it's not as entertaining. But there are some great bits of dialogue. That's one thing to me that all MCU films have is at least some quotable dialogue.

He didn't do much at all, except try to get the Hulk to come out, and failing, but every time he was on screen I was just happy.

"Dude, you're embarrassing me in front of the wizards."

[lynnenne]

Funniest line in the whole movie!

[yourlibrarian]

To me it also fell to Tony but just a little later. I loved the way he summed up the situation to Peter as he came on the scene:

"What is this guy's problem, Mr. Stark?"

"He's from space. He came to steal a necklace from a wizard."

It's not that the line was meant to be that funny, but just the way that RDJ collapsed the whole crazy situation and the fact that Peter just goes with it.

Also, just another example of this.

[elisi]

I'm glad to hear this as IMO it's the best of the Marvel films.
I have heard many good things! :) Also I love your icon. Can I snag it?

Dr. Strange is worth watching too, though it's not as entertaining. But there are some great bits of dialogue. That's one thing to me that all MCU films have is at least some quotable dialogue.
Yes, they're all v snappy. Although I doubt I could talk my other half into Dr Strange. He... doesn't get on with Mr Cumberbatch.

"Dude, you're embarrassing me in front of the wizards."
SO CUTE!!

[yourlibrarian]

Absolutely -- as I recall there were many good ones in this post. I do wish we could link directly to them in the icon fields.

[lynnenne]

Totally agree on pairing Thor up with Rocket and Groot. Every time he called Rocket "Rabbit" made me laugh.

I love Tony & Peter's relationship, and Peter's death was the only one that made me cry. "I don't want to go." *SOBS*

[elisi]

Totally agree on pairing Thor up with Rocket and Groot. Every time he called Rocket "Rabbit" made me laugh.
And... he never discovers that he's wrong?

I love Tony & Peter's relationship, and Peter's death was the only one that made me cry. "I don't want to go." *SOBS*
Ugh. THAT'S how to write a character, cause I'd only known him 2 minutes and I was sad. :(

[avrelia]

Totally agree on Thor and other things. But Thor: so perfect going from comedic relief to great tragedy in a second. and he learned Groot at school!

I saw that you are planning to watch both Spiderman: Homecoming and animated Spiderman, and I can't wait to see you reaction! I loved them so much, and I think Spiderman: homecoming have one of the best villains - the one who is actually relatable, you know?

I rarely care for romance in MCU much, but strangely I liked Vision and Wanda's crazy thing.

[elisi]

Totally agree on Thor and other things. But Thor: so perfect going from comedic relief to great tragedy in a second.
He's a fabulous character! I've seen... well certainly the first Thor movie, and even if the film itself was less than stellar, Thor himself was good fun. :D

I saw that you are planning to watch both Spiderman: Homecoming and animated Spiderman, and I can't wait to see you reaction! I loved them so much, and I think Spiderman: homecoming have one of the best villains - the one who is actually relatable, you know?
Oooooh! That sounds fabulous. I love a good villain.

I rarely care for romance in MCU much, but strangely I liked Vision and Wanda's crazy thing.
I had to google Vision, and realised that he was 'created' in Age of Ultron, which I have seen, but the plot of which... escapes me. However I always loved Jarvis, so it's nice that it got its own body (sort of) and love interest. :)

[greensword]

I haven't see Infinity War, because I've learned I really dislike the actual Avengers movies (+ Civil War, which is basically an Avengers movie), and I've yet to actually watch anything of Homecoming besides gifs on tumblr, but I still love the MCU's Peter Parker, and his relationship with Tony, it is that good and has been taken up that enthusiastically by fandom.

[greensword]

Oh I guess I did watch Civil War, even if I didn't like it, and that has Peter in it, so it's not pure osmosis. But still. Tom Holland is perfect in that role.

[elisi]

I haven't see Infinity War, because I've learned I really dislike the actual Avengers movies (+ Civil War, which is basically an Avengers movie)
Have you seen Ant Man? SO much fun. And some of the most inventive and hilarious fight scenes ever. <333

but I still love the MCU's Peter Parker, and his relationship with Tony, it is that good and has been taken up that enthusiastically by fandom.
*beams* I love it when something just works.

[watervole]

You will like the Dr Strange film -not just for the characters, but also for the artistic look of it. The opening scene is wonderfully Escher-like.

[elisi]

My immediate thought was 'more Escher-like than Castrovalva?' Which just goes to show my brain has (quite happily) overdosed on Classic Who. :)

Anyway, thank you for the rec! I will probably end up watching all of them at some point, but it's nice for people to point out which ones they liked.

[sea_thoughts]

Get ready for the longest non-DW related comment in the history of our friendship.

You really should watch Ragnarok (which I personally call "Thor of the Galaxy" because in style and story it owes far more to GOTG than the other Thor films), it is good fun! You get some really good Bruce/Thor scenes and the Thor/Loki relationship actually moves forward. On a personal note, Doctor Strange's cameo is one of my favourite scenes in the entire movie.

Doctor Strange effortlessly takes apart Thanos's plan to 'save' the universe

The greatest breakdown of this scene ever

Peter dissolving in Tony's arms is EVEN MORE heartbreaking when you know that Tony is the reason Peter is involved in Avengers stuff in the first place (he semi-coerced Peter into fighting for him in Civil War) and so what's running through Tony's head is that this kid is now wiped out of existence because of him. (It's more complicated than that but that's how Tony would see it.)

Bucky dissolving right in front of Steve was a kick in the stomach for me as well.

Chris Evans is one of the few men who looks tasty both with AND without a beard (I didn't know that was possible). Also when Steve stepped out of the shadows and the Avengers instrumental kicked in, my heart began to pound with anticipation and I was not disappointed.

"This is a friend of mine, Tree."
"I am Groot!"
"... I am Steve Rogers." - Truly adorkable

This moment when I thought "YOU SHOULD HAVE WATCHED MORE ZOMBIE MOVIES, THOR!"

This moment

You are right in that this movie is stuffed full but I think the Russos do a very good job of keeping things moving, I can't remember it ever dragging.

[elisi]

Get ready for the longest non-DW related comment in the history of our friendship.
Yay, thoughts! :D :D :D

You really should watch Ragnarok
I know. I have heard many good things. The reason I watched Infinity War is quite simply because one of Darcy's friends came to stay and brought the DVD.

Doctor Strange effortlessly takes apart Thanos's plan to 'save' the universe
Thank you! Also I like Dr Strange's Think-y face. :) But yeah, stupidest 'plan' ever.

The greatest breakdown of this scene ever
!!!! omg That is amazing. (I am 100% on Tony's side.)

Peter dissolving in Tony's arms is EVEN MORE heartbreaking when you know that Tony is the reason Peter is involved in Avengers stuff in the first place
Somehow I kinda got all that? Like, they way they played it, I knew there had to be a lot of background. ♥ ♥ ♥

Bucky dissolving right in front of Steve was a kick in the stomach for me as well.
"Steve!" *DIES* Poor guys, they deserved a happy ending.

Chris Evans is one of the few men who looks tasty both with AND without a beard (I didn't know that was possible). Also when Steve stepped out of the shadows and the Avengers instrumental kicked in, my heart began to pound with anticipation and I was not disappointed.
The man is very very handsome. (Although 'Chris Evans' will always make me think of the TFI Friday version... *g*) And the theme is absolutely amazing. As movie themes go, it's right up there!

"... I am Steve Rogers." - Truly adorkable
Also, Thor could speak Groot. That's just wonderful.

This moment when I thought "YOU SHOULD HAVE WATCHED MORE ZOMBIE MOVIES, THOR!"
Yup. One of the downfalls of living in Asgard.

This moment
Ah yes. If you'd seen Angel (I don't think you have), I would liken him to Angel (esp wrt Groo). And other things I am now blanking on. Ah Peter Quill. Had you survived, you might one day have grown up and overcome your insecurities.

You are right in that this movie is stuffed full but I think the Russos do a very good job of keeping things moving, I can't remember it ever dragging.
Oh yes, very very tightly written. Which is why it's a little like being run over, there's no let-up.

[geekslave.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I thought the plot moved forward pretty well and didn't seem to drag despite how long it was.

Despite how serious these movies can be, I don't really think too much about real-world implications when I watch these movies.

I liked a lot of the relationships, but yeah. Tony/Peter and Thor with the Guardians were great. I don't believe for a second Peter will remain dead, but I did find his being wiped out a pretty sad scene because of how TH played it.

Stacey

[elisi]

Yeah, I thought the plot moved forward pretty well and didn't seem to drag despite how long it was.
Kudos to the film makers!

Despite how serious these movies can be, I don't really think too much about real-world implications when I watch these movies.
I don't either (since well, comic books), but I want there to be *some* logic. However jerusha pointed out that apparently Thanos worships Death, so that works nicely!

I liked a lot of the relationships, but yeah. Tony/Peter and Thor with the Guardians were great. I don't believe for a second Peter will remain dead, but I did find his being wiped out a pretty sad scene because of how TH played it.
My heart! And yeah, I think it'll all be reversed somehow, but the price will probably be... Oh, let's say Tony Stark sacrifices himself and saves them all, because that would hurt *me* the most, so that's probably what'll happen.

[a-phoenixdragon.livejournal.com]

ALL OF MY THOUGHTS WERE THESE.

Also? YOU MUST SEE RAGNAROK. NAO. (Just for the giggles alone - and Loki yelling at Thor over Hulk. You must see to appreciate it). And it has Dr. Strange in it, in a lovely comedic way. At Thor's expense. Which is always hilarious. :D :D So yes. See Ragnarok. DO ET.

The only thing missing is Tony, Groot and Rocket. Which would have only made a good movie better. :D

I also have Stark Love. Which causes fandom-wank. And I love Loki. Which also seems to cause a whole lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Fandom is weird.

*HUGS*

[elisi]

ALL OF MY THOUGHTS WERE THESE.
:D :D :D (I have quality friends!)

Also? YOU MUST SEE RAGNAROK. NAO.
I have no objection to this, except practical. We only watched this one cause one of Darcy's friends was visiting & brought it. So when we get hold of Ragnarok (and Homecoming!) we shall make sure to watch. :)

The only thing missing is Tony, Groot and Rocket. Which would have only made a good movie better. :D
Lack of Tony is always sad, but I suppose I'll manage.

I also have Stark Love. Which causes fandom-wank. And I love Loki. Which also seems to cause a whole lot of wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Well Stark is just the best, so... *hands* what are we supposed to do? Loki is also great, I love me a Trickster. <3

Fandom is weird.
Truth.

*MANY HUGS BACK*

(is a casual fan, shrugs heartlessly at all the dead people)

[(Anonymous)]

Well, if you absolutely want to find something political/relevant/whathaveyou, Thanos begins the movie by totally slaughtering a bunch of refugees when he attacks the Asgardians; so there's that.

I knew that screenshot would turn out to be heart breaking.
Heh, but you couldn't have known that that wasn't dirt on his hand but pieces of dead Peter, could you? I mean, daum. :0

Re: (is a casual fan, shrugs heartlessly at all the dead people)

[elisi]

Well, if you absolutely want to find something political/relevant/whathaveyou, Thanos begins the movie by totally slaughtering a bunch of refugees when he attacks the Asgardians; so there's that.
'Worships Death' is perfectly fine. And re. the scene, then I have a feeling it'll work better when I've seen Ragnarok.

Heh, but you couldn't have known that that wasn't dirt on his hand but pieces of dead Peter, could you? I mean, daum. :0
I'm pretty sure it's his own blood. Also, bad take!