Avengers: Infinity War (dir. Anthony Russo; Joe Russo)

Is there anything more pointless than reviewing a Marvel film? Of all the summer blockbusters soon to grace our presence, the superhero mash-up “Avengers: Infinity War” is the most assuredly critic-proof offering; you can bet your bottom dollar - given the nerd fandom of recent weeks - that the fans will turn up in their droves for the latest helping of CGI-laden superhero fodder, and they won’t care a bit what the critics think.

But after all the hype, and the mountains of fan-fiction - is it any good? Thankfully for all those involved, the most ambitious superhero film to date- and the most expensive - is a delicious concoction of blockbuster charm and the usual marvel flair for the spectacular. Defying the odds are the directing duo of the Russo Brothers, no stranger to the directing chair in this genre (Captain America: Winter Soldier & Civil War), who manage to circumvent the worry of some audience members that too many characters would wrestle for screen time, by creating well-orchestrated character piece which handles it’s labyrinthine plot machinations and character arcs whilst not holding back on explosive action and laugh out loud gags.

Eighteen films in and ten-years in the making, “Infinity War” is the culmination of every Marvel offering to date. But most importantly, despite its longevity, Avengers 3 doesn’t feel derivative. There’s a weight of expectation here, for something new and something drastic; in a foe that neither our uniformed superheroes nor us are ready for. Sure, passing into folklore has never been a problem for the execs over at Disney, but this cinematic behemoth comes jammed pack with stars and even more portent; it’s the end of an era, and all roads have led to this.

From the very first entry in the Marvel canon, “Iron Man” back in 2008 to the recent box-office juggernaut “Black Panther”, our disparate heroes have fought all manor of villains, but there has always been the suggestion that our gang can outsmart or outfight there chosen saboteur without the slightest bit of hesitation. Times have changed. If you haven’t seen any of the previous eighteen films, you might need to catch up elsewhere, as I’ll make no bones about this: “Infinity War” is made for the fans; those who have come along for the ride or have been forced to by their significant other may struggle with the intertwining plot strands - but Avengers was always made with the eye on it’s adoring fandom- and it shouldn’t be criticized for that.

Let’s get to the plot. Seen in his first appearance during the post credits sequence to 2012’s “Avenger’s Assemble”, serial planet-invader and all-round tyrant Thanos (Josh Brolin) is a man on a mission. His eugenically poised master-plan is to wipe out half of the universe, leaving only those who are pure and desirable left in the universe. To do this he needs all six infinity stones, beacons of jewelry which represent different elements within the cosmos, and when all collated into his glove-like gauntlet, will give him ultimate power across the galaxy. Seen first here crossing paths with Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) in outer-space, he suitably makes his intentions clear, before sending his goons to earth to collate the remaining few.

Who can stop him? The Avengers? Don’t count on a reunion just yet, as no such contingent exists any more. Our de-factor leader, Tony Stark/ Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) spends his time frolicking in the park with new wife Pepper Potts (Gwenyth Paltrow)- with the cataclysmic events of the "Civil War " still playing heavily on his mind. But soon comes Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) with news of a impending invasion and Stark must swallow his pride and suit up to stop Thanos’ evil plan from succeeding. Before you know it, Thor and The Guardians of the Galaxy (Chris Pratt as Star Lord, Dave Bautista as Drax, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Vin Diesel as Groot and Zoe Saldana as Gomorra) are in on the action, along with Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and everybody else you can think or have seen previously on-screen for the last decade. They squabble, they make jokes at each others expense, and they drastically underestimate the seriousness of their powerful foe, Thanos.

Let’s get one thing straight, I’m not a Marvel fanboy. Yet even someone like me, who found the recent cinematic offerings from the comic-book staple to be formulaic and at times rather smug, will attest to the rollercoaster-like thrill ride that is this offering. “Infinity War” is audaciously entertaining; and even as a non-convert, there’s an encompassing glow about watching a film which had all the potential of being a complete mess coalescing so seamlessly on screen. In director’s Anthony & Joe Russo, our duo produce sentiments and action never seen before in the cinematic realm and it’s clear they are as invested and in-love with their characters as the adoring fans in the audience. Throughout the course of the drama, we flick between inter-galactic backdrops like the drop of hat, in conjunction with different themes and tones, yet the balance of the light and the dark is handled with precision - and is helped enormously by the energetic and neatly-woven script work from experienced writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

Yet for all it’s exposition sequences (we get it Thanos is bad, he’s the real deal etc), “Infinity War” is essentially a two-and-a-half hour final action sequence, and when you marry together the entire cast list together and very little emphasis on plot, that’s all you were really ever going to get. At times, the intertwining narratives playing off each other simaltaneously can be a little distracting and at times you might need to take a second and get your bearings, but thankfully the Russo’s keep the narrative strands cohesive for the most part; so even if at one minute you’re laughing along with Thor and Star Lord cracking wise on their spaceship, before heading back to Iron Man and Spider-Man’s intergalactic tomfoolery, it’s cumulative effect is the breathtaking majesty of storytelling on a grand scale rather than a haphazard plot device.

Reportedly with a budget of near on $400 million dollars, Marvel’s latest gargantuan superhero mash-up has an abundance of spectacle and then some. If it’s not the well choreographed hand to hand combat (a brilliant scene Carrie Coon’s assassin, Black Widow and Okeye being a highlight), to the deadly aerial fights with Spider-Man and Iron man fighting off Thanos’ goons, and every other superhero squaring off with there assorted enemies - everything coalesces with an assured vision that never outstays it’s welcome. As has been the case with all of the Marvel outings, the interplay with the characters has always been a clear delight for fans, and they don’t disappoint here. Both applause and laughter were incessant in my screening, and I confess that the comedic edge to Avengers: Infinity War is becoming their greatest asset.

When all is said and done, expect the unexpected. Sure, there’s a plethora of action on screen, and neatly woven character exchanges which will keep a wry smile on every marvel cinematic nerd from here to Timbuktu, but be prepared for a jolting ending- one that clearly will have you screaming with impatience and quickly scribbling down ideas once you return home. But there’s not long to wait, and several viewings may be needed to take in all of the explosive action on screen. An IMAX performance is preferable to take the true nature of the cinematic scope, as "Infinity War" is the first film to utilize these cameras for 100% of it’s filming. There’s something increasingly different about “Infinity War” which can’t be ignored, as it finally subverts the tired and tested superhero idea that our heroes are indestructible; much like our adored characters on screen, we’re not prepared for Thanos - and come the ending of “Infinity War”, neither will you be.

Rating 4/5.