AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR

I enjoyed the first two Captain America films, the first Iron Man film, and the first Avengers film, but after that I progressively lost interest in the seemingly never-ending MCU story arc. 

But in all fairness this film (the first of a two-part conclusion to the whole shebang) is pretty good.  Although (to be absolutely clear) it cannot hold a candle to such classics as the 1978  Superman film, the first two Spiderman films, or 'The Dark Knight'.

Anyhow, there are lots of things to enjoy here.  

Not the most important thing granted, but Hawkeye, Falcon and War Machine are scarcely to be seen. Hurrah!

There are very clear stakes: Thanos, a most impressive villain, is doing a good job of gathering up all six Infinity Stones, and unless he is stopped, 50% of all life in the universe will be wiped out (gulp).

The inevitable CGI action sequences are kept at bay pretty much until the end, and when they do arrive I found them more exciting than usual, as the superheroes heroically and valiantly try to thwart Thanos.

Before then we get to jump around the universe with some fun team ups: Thor with the Guardians, Iron Man with Doctor Strange and Spiderman (or should that be Spiderboy?).

Not being a MCU completist meant that I was comparatively unfamiliar with some of the characters, so for example I found the relationship between Nebula and Gamora, and with Thanos fresh and intriguing. The scene on Vormir where Thanos has to sacrifice what he loves most has real emotional heft. 

Two of my favourite MCU characters are Wanda and Vision, and their relationship here comes to a tragic but in some ways an emotionally satisfying ending.  

And then we reach the somewhat bonkers but chilling conclusion where half of our heroes dissolve into nothingness.  What can be done about this?  Tune in to the conclusion of our story to find out!

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do