Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Avengers Endgame: Marvelously Grand and Epic!

MARVELOUSLY GRAND AND EPIC! A FILM REVIEW ON THE AVENGERS END GAME


Meanne M. Mijares
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 (NIV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)
Starring           
Robert Downey Jr.  as Tony Stark / Iron Man
Chris Evans as Steve Rogers / Captain America
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Don Cheadle as James Rhodes / War Machine
Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man
Brie Larson as Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel
Karen Gillan as Nebula
Danai Gurira as Okoye
Bradley Cooper as Rocket (voice)
Josh Brolin        as Thanos
For a complete list of cast members, click: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4154796/fullcredits
Based on          The Avengers by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Directed by      Anthony Russo and Joe Russo
Production Company Marvel Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios/Motion Pictures
Rating: PG
The Avengers: Endgame is the last film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s current generation of movies, bringing together many story lines and characters from 21 previous movies, beginning with 2008’s Iron Man. Families with younger kids should know that there’s definitely as much intense violence (decapitation, explosions, stabbings, impalement, crushing, shooting, etc.), and even more pain, trauma, and grief here than there was in Avengers: Infinity War. A couple of beloved characters die, which is particularly upsetting. The language is similar to the previous films, but there’s no romance beyond a few brief embraces and kisses between recognized couples. Thor drinks a lot to deaden his pain. With themes of courage, teamwork, and perseverance, this epic Avengers culmination is the supreme offering to Marvel fans who will laugh, cry, and cheer as their favorite superheroes join forces to save the universe one last time.
POSITIVE MESSAGES
As with many superhero movies, while violence is the main means of conflict resolution, this is primarily a story about courage, self-sacrifice, heroism, and the collective good. Themes also include teamwork, perseverance, and courage. The central characters are willing to sacrifice, die (and kill) to save the universe and rescue the Earth from the grief and trauma they’ve had. The film also shows the major importance of family and friendships, and how the concept of family is more than pure flesh and blood: People can have amazingly strong chosen families, with friends who give unconditional love. ‘Endgame’ strongly emphasizes the idea of being who you are, not who you think you’re “supposed” to be.
POSITIVE INFLUENCES
The Avengers and their friends are all flawed protagonists but unforgettably and undeniably brave. Although they aren’t individually as invincible as Thanos, but together they make the impossible become possible. They make sacrifices, protect one another, and work together to save their loved ones and even strangers alike. The Marvel women once again have an opportunity (albeit a fairly brief one) to bond together, and family men like Scott/Ant Man and Clint/Hawkeye are particularly empowered in doing whatever is necessary to save their loved ones. Captain America and Thor prove themselves truly worthy of their special weapons/powers. The characters make tough life-or-death decisions that put their lives on the line for the greater good. Thanos believes he’s giving salvation to the universe, but his approach — genocide — is on shaky ground and unsustainable.
VIOLENCE
I have seen frequent and intense comic book-style action violence where the characters are killed and severely wounded. Film viewers will see dismemberment, decapitation, stabbing, crushing, shooting, impalement, choking, extremely destructive explosions, self-sacrifice, being tracked down by frightening monsters, and more. There are weapons include guns, swords, axes, hammers, missiles, and a lot more. The violence isn’t especially gruesome, but a couple of injuries or deaths are a bit gory, and accomplishments come at a much greater cost. There is a presence of frequent peril and danger as well as mourning/sadness, arguments/yelling/shouting throughout the film.
SEXUAL SCENES
There are brief kisses/embraces between romantic couples. There are scenes that Thor spends some scenes shirtless.
LANGUAGE
What disappoints me is the occasionally strong language, including “son of a bitch,” “ass,” “s–t,” “bulls–t,” “d–khead,” “pissed,” “damn,” “piss-ant,” “hell,” “crap,” “goddamn,” “Jesus” (as an exclamation), and “oh my God.” (Even Captain America swears!)  and one abuse of Our Lord’s name.  
DRUGS, DRINKING AND SMOKING
There are scenes that Thor drinks too much as a form of self-medication or some way of coping after that great loss. Until a life-changing conversation, he’s often asking for beer, ale, liquor and/or wine, and bottles and the barrels are shown.
CONCLUSION
In summary, “Endgame” gives us all a glimmer of hope despite the bleak and painful experiences that we have gone through . The film says that as long as you are with the right people, every weight gets a little lighter. It adds also that sacrifices has good and long running benefits and that it is better to try rather than not trying anything at all. It is also a film about second chances. These superheroes are no different from us. They experience low points in life, they get broken, argue, bicker and feel despair. Even times of breakdown.  So let us always remember this: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Eph. 6:11-17 and “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21 and For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
As for the protagonists, they are not called superheroes for nothing. Yes, they have reached the endgame, as viewers like you and me are just blown away so expect nothing less but the best.
Overall, I rate the film 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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