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).

[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]

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*

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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*

(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