The initial reactions to Avengers: Endgame following the first screenings were extremely positive. But now critics have had time to process what they saw, and well, they’re still mostly raving about the 22nd entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe — it’s currently Certified Fresh at 97%. Of course, there are some quibbles here and there, mainly about the length. Also, the long-form responses to the Avengers: Infinity War follow-up have some extra thoughts to share regarding Endgame’s best moments, as well as the movie’s MVP. Basically, just icing on the cake to get you even more hyped for this thing.
Here’s what the critics are saying about Avengers: Endgame:
Endgame is a different type of film than Infinity War… there are actually moments of calm, where the audience can catch its breath.
– Charles Barfield, The Playlist
Where Infinity War had trouble finding time for characters, Endgame is about nothing but character work.
– Susana Polo, Polygon
The Russo Brothers were able to best themselves yet again.
– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color
There’s something considerably less elegant to the storytelling this time around.
– Peter Debruge, Variety
Avengers: Endgame is everything you’ve ever dreamed a Marvel movie could be…You will not be let down.
– Germain Lussier, io9
One of the most ambitious, entertaining, emotional, and stunning blockbusters we’ve ever seen, and the best film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe canon thus far.
– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend
Avengers: Endgame is not the best Marvel movie ever made…But it is the most Marvel movie ever made, and there’s something incredible about that.
– Angie Han, Mashable
Avengers: Endgame is the most “Marvel” movie in Marvel Cinematic Universe history.
– Charles Barfield, The Playlist
Avengers: Endgame is, without a doubt, the most confusing and convoluted of any of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, yet it’s also unbelievably satisfying.
– Mike Ryan, Uproxx
Avengers: Endgame is now my favorite MCU movie and is probably my favorite comic book movie to date.
– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color
It’s not the best of anything in terms of the Marvel franchise…Avengers: Endgame is a merely okay MCU movie.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
(Photo by @ Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, @ Marvel)
Whatever you think Endgame will be, it will still confound and amaze and thrill you in ways that is hard to imagine.
– Mark Daniell, Toronto Sun
One of the nicest surprises of Endgame is how fun it is… So much so that the three-hour run time seems to fly by.
– Angie Han, Mashable
There are things in Endgame you never could have guessed would come back to light, but they do, and it’s glorious.
– Germain Lussier, io9
Endgame is truly a masterful piece of storytelling, which both goes exactly where you expect it to, and not at all.
– Anne Cohen, Refinery29
(Photo by @ Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, @ Marvel)
The film is sometimes juggling five or six stories simultaneously, but the Russos and their editors never let the audience get too far from one or the other.
– Germain Lussier, io9
It’s strangely sentimental for a movie that features the biggest all-out superhero fight I can ever remember seeing.
– Mike Ryan, Uproxx
The fight scenes that do take place are epic… seeing the epic battle in the third act makes the last decade worth it.
– Danielle Solzman, Solzy at the Movies
The action sequences were choreographed and shot so beautifully. Without spoiling anything, you will need to be prepared for the third act.
– Dorian Parks, Geeks of Color
As emotionally affecting as any Marvel movie has ever been… a genuinely moving drama.
– Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
Endgame focuses on the original Avengers…it’s immensely gratifying and emotional to see them struggle on a plethora of levels.
– Germain Lussier, io9
(Photo by @ Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, @ Marvel)
Endgame does pull off the feat of feeling remarkably like a finale, and even the most casual fan may feel the emotional tug of those moments.
– Don Kaye, Den of Geek
As a Part 2, Endgame is a hugely successful ending to a story that began a year ago but truly dates back a decade.
– Charles Barfield, The Playlist
[It’s] a moment to stop and look back in amazement (or terror) at what the MCU has pulled off…Endgame is Marvel’s crowning achievement.
– Angie Han, Mashable
There’s no shaking the fact that Endgame is very much a Part 2 (or Part 22, honestly)… not for MCU newbies… casual fans need not apply… If you’re not someone that knows every character by name, you’re in for a confusing three-hour film.
– Charles Barfield, The Playlist
My daughter hasn’t seen very many of these and only had a few in-movie questions… it works on its own terms and unquestionably sticks the landing.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
This is a film designed for fans… Newcomers will likely find themselves totally lost in this tangle of characters and relationships and mythologies.
– Angie Han, Mashable
It does feel like a wonderful gift to all those who have spent the last decade-plus emotionally engaging with the lives and adventures of these characters.
– Eric Eisenberg, Cinema Blend
Newcomers to the series may as well be watching a Transformers movie.
– Eric Kohn, IndieWire
While there is a big third-act action sequence, it’s (despite some grand fan service) closer in structure and visuals to Ready Player One than The Two Towers.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
Avengers: Endgame feels like the last scene of Titanic with everyone back on the ship, applauding. And, you know what? I’m okay with that.
– Mike Ryan, Uproxx
From a performance standpoint, Chris Hemsworth, for the second film in a row, delivers the best outing of the large ensemble.
– Clayton Davis, AwardsCircuit.com
Hemsworth especially has quickly become, due to Thor: Ragnarok and the last two of these Avengers flicks, a subtle MVP of the franchise.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
Hemsworth has inexplicably become the MVP of this franchise, able to balance big, broad comedy with soul-searching pathos.
– Chris Evangelista, Slashfilm
Its biggest fault, however nitpicky, is that it doesn’t really confront or advance any of the big philosophical questions that have been running through the saga from the beginning.
– Scott Mendelson, Forbes
Has a sitcom episode like feel to it that is reminiscent of a ‘clip show’ – where the viewers get excerpts and highlights from previous episodes of the series.
– Clayton Davis, AwardsCircuit.com
One can only hope that the next 10 years of Marvel storytelling — which will feature new heroes and villains — comes close to this.
– Mark Daniell, Toronto Sun
Avengers: Endgame opens everywhere on April 26.
