Review by John Delia, Sr.
World box office winner and one of the most mesmerizing superhero films ever made, Avengers: Infinity War has come back to Earth on Blu-ray and Digital HD, (also Cinematic Universe Edition 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, Digital) and it will boggle your mind both visually and dramatically.
The movie speeds along at a very fast pace from its exciting opening scene to the final moments that challenge your stamina for more. Bouncing from planets to moons to Earth and onward, the mighty superheroes tread on fragile ground as they try to keep the Universe together. Can the mightiest of villains ever faced change destiny and destroy the mighty Avengers? They are the only hope for cosmos survival and you’ll have to wait and see what comes next.
But first an explanation of the infinity gems:
The big purple guy, Thanos (Josh Brolin), wants to become the master of the universe and in order to do that he needs six infinity gems that will give him the powers of “Reality†a red stone that showed up in Thor: The Dark World and alters the truth of what you see, “Power†a purple stone that makes the holder increasingly colossal and had it’s beginning in the film Guardians of the Galaxy, “Space†a blue stone originally shown in Captain America: The First Avenger can be used to move the character throughout the cosmos using portals, “Mind†a yellow stone that was part of Loki’s staff used to mesmerize his foe so he can read their thoughts in The Avengers, and “Time†a green stone that has magical powers of time travel to use against enemies was brought to the screen in Doctor Strange are the first five. The final stone is “soul†an orange stone that’s the main object needed to compete the set and is the subject of Avengers: Infinity War. The first five stones have a pocket in the knuckles of the infinity glove. Together the stones will help him split the cosmos and destroy his adversaries.
The movie opens with Thanos dealing with Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who has him captive and under restraints (It follows the ending of Thor Ragnarok). But, things are starting to get dicey as Thanos also has Thor (Chris Hemsworth) pined to the deck of his space ship. In a show of solidarity Thanos offers Loki a deal that he cannot refuse. The story shifts to Earth where Thanos has information that the Space and Time stones are there. One of the stones, Time, is in the locket of Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) who right now has the power to resist him. The film goes on from there with Thanos challenging each of the holders of the gems and doing battle them as his power begins to grow.
But first a word about Thanos:
Thanos comes from one of the planet Saturn’s moons called Titan. He has two stones, but depends on Ebony Maw to find the other Infinity Gems. Thanos thrives on the deaths of others and heads up The Black Order that include Proxima Midnight (Carrie Coon), Ebony Maw (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor), Corvus Glaive (Michael James Shaw) and the “Black Dwarf†re-named Cull Obsidian (Terry Notary) for Infinity War. It is also important to know that Thanos is the adoptive parent of Nebula (Karen Gillan) and Gamora (Zoe Saldana) and each were brought up to be high spirited super killers. Right now Gamora travels with the Guardians of the Galaxy and is the love interest of Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt). Nebula is at her home on Titan where she festers over wanting to kill her real father.
You know the rest of the characters from Iron-Man (Robert Downey, Jr.) to Spider-Man (Tom Holland) and each of the players who have been added since the beginning Avengers. Well they nearly all take part in the challenge to defeat Thanos including some new ones from Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman). It’s a smash and bash fest with your favorite Marvels taking a swipe at Thanos as he retaliates with some devastating blows. Even Peter Dinklage as Eitri shows up as a giant no less. I love what they did showing him rising tall above the Guardians.
Like all Marvel/Disney films there’s a lot of tongue in cheek comedy and it’s what keeps the interest for both action junkies and Marvel devotees. The best comedy comes from the Guardians of the Galaxy crew with the wisecracking Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), straight faced Groot (Vin Diesel) and the bumbling Peter Quill. It’s a nice respite from the intense battles. Even Loki gets in the act when he has to decide whether his brother Thor should live or die.
Sure there will be complaints about the scene changes as Thanos moves in and out of worlds as he battles the characters on different planets. It did give me a sense of déjà vu and doubt at times. But, it’s a Marvel Comic for the home screen and jumping in and out of conflict is what they do. Besides, you are in command with your reverse and pause buttons so you won’t miss a thing.
BONUS MATERIAL Over two hours of extras (may vary by retailer):
Blu-ray & Digital:
“Strange Alchemy†(5:08)– Share the thrill of characters from across the MCU meeting for the first time—and discover why some were teamed up together.
“The Mad Titan†(6:34) – Explore the MCU’s biggest, baddest villain, his trail of influence through the stories, and the existential threat he represents.
“Beyond the Battle: Titan†(9:36) – Dive into the climactic struggle on Thanos’ ruined world, including the epic stunts and VFX, to uncover the source of its power.
“Beyond the Battle: Wakanda†(10:58) – Go behind the scenes to find out how the filmmakers pulled off the most massive and challenging battle Marvel had ever attempted.
“Deleted and Extended Scenes†(10:07) ‘Happy Knows Best’ (1:23) – Tony and Pepper spar over the details of their upcoming wedding—until a hassled Happy Hogan pulls up with an urgent request. ‘Hunt for the Mind Stone’ (1:24) – On a darkened street, Wanda Maximoff and the wounded Vision attempt to hide from Thanos’ brutal allies. ‘The Guardians Get Their Groove Back’ (3:20) – As Peter Quill and Drax quarrel over their failed mission to Knowhere, Mantis interrupts with news. And ‘A Father’s Choice’ (4:00) – Thanos confronts Gamora with a vision from her past—and with lying to him about the Soul Stone.
â€Gag Reel†(2:05)– Watch your favorite Super Heroes make super gaffes in this lighthearted collection of on-set antics.
“Audio Commentary†(approx. 149 min.) by Anthony and Joe Russo, Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely
Digital Exclusive:
“A Directors’ Roundtable†(approx. 32 min.) – Eight amazing directors reflect on how their movies contribute to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s larger storytelling adventure.
While this sequel seems to be the end of it all, you’ll have to hold your breath for part two in 2019. The Marvel and DC Universe never ends and even in this year we’ll got to see episodes of Black Panther in April, Deadpool in May, Ant Man & Wasp in July, and coming soon Venom in October, and Spider-Man 3 and Aquaman (DC) in December. For those who want to chase their superhero dreams, you have a lot to look forward to.
Avengers: Infinity War has been rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references. Be wary of allowing immature children to see the film as the violence is very real looking.
UPDATE: Avengers: Infinity War has a worldwide total box office to date of: $2 billion 45 million and counting. It surpasses its nearest competitor Black Panther with a worldwide total of $1 billion 346 million. Infinity War however is still second to 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens with a total of $2 billion 68 million as of this date. – (According to Boxofficemojo.com) Figures only include movie theater revenue.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Totally exciting and engrossing. (5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt.
Directed by: Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Screenplay written by: Christopher Markus
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references
Running Time: 2 hrs. 29 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date 4-27-18
Video Release Date: August 14th Blu-Ray & Digital HD Box
Original Theatrical Release Date:
Language: English, (changeable to French or Spanish)
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray
Audio: English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.39:1
Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian, Brizillian Portuguese and Latin Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Available in: DVD, Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and Digital HD. Also 4K Marvel Cinematic Universe Ed