Well, here it is, folks: the End(game) of the line. The culmination of the Infinity Saga, all three Phases of the MCU, and the last stretch of our twenty-three (!) film long Rewatch-a-thon. And look, it’s definitely been a time—but like all good things, this too must come to an end.
This week’s Rewatch brings us to the second half of Phase 3 and what I’m effectively calling “Phase 3.5”. (Deal with it.) There are some crucial developments and continuity adjustments to dispense with before the Saga barrels on restlessly towards nothing less than the fate of all life in the Marvel multi-verse. So, without further ado, let’s hit it.
May 16th, 2020 @ 12:32 PM
Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)
Directed by: Peyton Reed
Okay, so first, a few minor quibbles: Yes, I know, we’re slightly out of order here in terms of released films. However, I would argue, that in order to do the final Avengers films back-to-back, it’s a necessity. So, chill. There is sufficient method to this madness. Alright? Good.
Man, it’s so nice to have someone like Rudd in the MCU, even just to bounce off of other actors. “I eat fear for breakfast.” This house arrest montage is everything and, as Nick points out rather astutely, very COVID-19 relevant. I get the sense that “quantum” is going to be the expository buzzword omen for this film. *Sigh* Just some casual, giant vertical dick measuring and ant air-drumming. You know, just Ant-Man things. And yes, I’m fairly sure that that is truth serum, my friend. Well, now I really just want to play with Hot Wheels again.
- End Credit Summary: Uh oh… god damn. Now, that’s a cliff-hanger.
- Rating: 3 “Forever Bothering Individuals” agents
2:25 PM
Captain Marvel (2019)
Directed by: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
Quick question: what’s the deal with the Kree skin pigment colour code system? Is it a race thing? A space race thing? *Quickly consults Google oracle* Oh right, yeah. It is a race thing. Weird. Carry on. Nick wonders if Jude Law is trying pull off some MCU-Obi Wan energy in this role, and I’m inclined to agree. Old love Vers has got some big Astro Boy vibes too. 90’s things! Nostalgia! Goose! Ohhhhh, so she’s like a female Maverick and a faux alien warrior hero? Also, an Avenger? Cool. Got it. Watching that second-act reveal hinge on some xeno-xenophobia is a real doosie. Also: “Fresh.”
- End Credit Summary: (mid) intergalactic pager/phone-a-friend move; (end) Goose has one hell of a hairball.
- Rating: 3 donkey-kicking shape-shifting grandmothers
4:23 PM
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo
RIP Loki, you little scamp. But also, that taster for Thanos vs. Hulk was sick. More of this please. Some classic Avenger drunk dialling. I’m a big fan of angsty teenager Groot and I relate to him the most out of any MCU character. We’ve all been there. “Let her go, Grimace”—huge line from Quill. “Oh, we’re using the made-up names.” Hey look, it’s Tyrion Lannister! “The hardest choices require the strongest wills.” It’s clear that old mate, moon-throwing god Grimace is the most compelling villain in the MCU, and for good reason. While he functions as both protagonist here and the motivating antagonist for the entire saga, the film’s real strength comes in watching his Anti-Hero’s Journey finally come together.
- End Credit Summary: (mid) Fury’s SLJ “Motherf***er” moment; (end) that “Thanos will return” postscript is absolutely brutal.
- Rating: 3 1/2 Starlord-Thor death stares
6:48 PM
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Directed by: Anthony and Joe Russo
Watching Hawkeye lose his entire family is some of the coldest shit in this entire franchise. Absolute savagery. Tony’s little Interstellar moment. Oh hey, it’s Chang! I get the need for Ant-Man to return and give them a way out with the quantum retcon, but yeah… it just feels lazy. “Time-heist”—lmao. Hulk dab. Daddy Stark 3000. Fat/drunk Thor yelling at kids on Fortnite is the best Thor. Oh hey, it’s Shirley! Cool way to reconcile both of Cap & Tony’s emotional arcs with the Futurama time travel gag.
Whether it’s The Snap or The Blip, it ultimately doesn’t matter. It’s still the “Luke… I am your father” moment for a whole new generation and it completely redefined the concept of cinematic spectacle. Watching this film perform a meta-deconstruction of its own characters, story, themes, and legacy is still a wild ride.
- End Credit Summary: Just a big highlight reel, folks. No spoilers.
- Rating: 4 “Wait, wtf does Red Skull do all day?” epiphanies
9:50 PM
Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Directed by: Jon Watts
This is a fun, cute and harmless coda to the insanity of Infinity War/Endgame. Ned’s lightning, whirlwind romance is pure joy. “Babe!” Peter Tingle. Ah yes, the Anti-Aloha. Nick takes one look at Jake Gyllenhaal and goes: “Oh, such a sweetie.” Such naivety. Even on my second watch through this film, the reveal in the bar with Mysterio and his dastardly ex-Stark Industries colleagues is still crazy jarring. What a twist. Come for Jake Gyllenhaal’s fishbowl camp. Stay for a surreal zombie Iron Man dream sequence and Happy hitting on Aunt May like an absolute menace.
- End Credit Summary: (mid) J. Jonah Jameson doing his best Alex Jones nut-job impression; (end) Skrulls literally keeping up appearances and Fury’s on holiday.
- Rating: 3 high school murder drone glasses.
Leave a Reply