Avengers Endgame movie review and release LIVE UPDATES: The big MCU finale is here

The exact runtime of Avengers Endgame is said to be 182 minutes making it the longest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The runtime of Avengers Infinity War was 149 minutes.

Having laboured over setting up the final battle in Avengers: Infinity War, Directors Anthony and Joe Russo get their act together to give a proper, emotional, funny and, yes, even spectacular, send-off to a cast of characters we have come to know (and, mostly love) over 22 films and 10 years.

Read full review here |  Avengers Endgame movie review: A spectacular send-off

Joe Russo told indianexpress.com, “People are creative and funny, and the fact that they are so excited about these movies that they are adding their own stories to it, I mean, it is not really all that storytelling, it is this sort of collective contribution. And I think the Marvel universe represents that – how 11 franchises are woven together by a bunch of different artistes. I think that it is just fun to see the fans reflecting it the same way and telling their own stories.”

Joe Russo earlier told indianexpress.com, “Thanos’ goal was one that’s very philosophical. It was a teachable moment. Ultimately we should remember that he is a sociopath. So you have to ask the question as to what was his goal ultimately. To teach people about resources or to fulfill his demented vision of the universe?” 

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Jeremy Renner told indianexpress.com, "I don’t know. I feel like there is never a last thing with anything in Marvel. Marvel is a giant universe of storytelling. So I don’t believe that there is ever a finish line. So I would say no."

Also Read | Jeremy Renner on Avengers Endgame being his last Marvel film: There’s never a finish line

Screenwriter Stephen McFeely, who wrote the movie’s script with Christopher Markus, revealed to Empire that initially the snap was supposed to happen in Avengers: Endgame. McFeely said, “We had so much story in those early drafts of Infinity War that, if anything, we thought we maybe shouldn’t do The Snap until the end of act one of Endgame.”

Mark Ruffalo told E!News in an interview, "I shot, like, five different endings to this movie. I didn’t even get a whole script to this movie. And I don’t know why. The script I did get had dummy scenes in it." Joe Russo later said, "The truth is he actually shot 11 endings!"

Director Milap Zaveri shared on Twitter, "Never felt the magic of the movies in my life like I did in #AvengersEndgame I laughed, I cheered, I clapped, I cried. I felt my heart swell, break and love. This is why we watch films. Make films. Love films. Live and breathe films. ??"

"I think bring tissues. And bring your enthusiasm and love for these characters and cast because the actors have worked so hard for so long. We shot this movie for almost two years with Infinity War at the same time. I think just go into a theatre full of fans and other people. And I hope you enjoy the movie," Kevin Feige said at a media interaction in Seoul.

Film trade analyst Girish Johar told indianexpress.com, "The Russo brothers directorial will sit at the box office for a long time and I peg it’s opening day collection at Rs 50 crore in all languages and if all goes well, it will earn Rs 150 crore on its first weekend."

Also Read | Avengers Endgame box office prediction

Joe Russo told indianexpress.com, "We just keep telling everyone that it is cathartic. I think it is an ending and endings are supposed to be cathartic. And you know, endings can be scary, but they also can be the best part of the story."

Also Read | Avengers Endgame directors Russo Brothers: Endings can be scary, but can also be best part of the story

Stan Lee, who passed away in November 2018, shot for his last cameo for Avengers Endgame. Anthony Russo earlier told indianexpress.com, "We love Stan Lee and it is incredibly special that Endgame would be his final cameo."

Kevin Feige expressed his disappointment on Avengers Endgame leak on piracy website. He told AP, "I wasn’t pleased. It’s not cool. It’s not fun. But the response was what I expected, which was everybody turning it off, dismissing it, ‘Don’t watch it, don’t spoil it for anybody else.’"

Also Read | Kevin Feige on Avengers Endgame leak

Marvel Cinematic Universe’s latest offering Avengers: Endgame is breaking records left, right and centre. Just a day old and the Russo brothers directorial has already smashed ticket counters wide open with its jaw-dropping 169 million dollars collection at the international box office, as reported by Deadline.

Also read | Avengers Endgame worldwide box office collection Day 1: Marvel’s latest breaks records

Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted, "#OneWordReview…#AvengersEndgame: MARVEL-OUS. Rating: ??????????The hugely-anticipated film exceeds the humongous expectations... Emotional, humorous, lots and lots of surprises in store... Get ready for a Tsunami at the Boxoffice. #AvengersEndgameReview"

Long queues have begun to form outside theaters playing Avengers Endgame in Mumbai. (Photo: Komal RJ Panchal/indanexpress.com)

While Thanos wishes for "a more grateful world," one comes out of Avengers Endgame feeling thankful to the creators and the stellar cast for making the goodbye hard but worth it.

Also Read | Avengers Endgame quick review: Brain, brawn and a lot of heart

Cinemablend’s Eric Eisenberg shared on Twitter, “This can’t be understated: #AvengersEndgame is everything you want it to be and more. I am absolutely floored. A perfect reflection on the last 11 years that pays off everything in the best way possible. Without question my new favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe film. Stunned.”

“Don’t know how any @MarvelStudios fan walks out of #AvengersEndgame disappointed. Movie is loaded with incredible set pieces and tons of small character moments that leave you wanting more. An epic conclusion to 10 years of Marvel movies. Thank you to everyone that worked on MCU,” Collider’s Steven Weintraub said via Twitter.

Forbes' Mark Hughes tweeted, "#AvengersEndgame is the film of the year. If you thought you’d seen comics brought fully to the big screen already, prepare to reset your expectations AGAIN. #MCU #Avengers #Endgame #EndgamePremiereLA #EndgamePremiere"

Slashfilm's Peter Sciretta wrote on Twitter, "Imagine the best possible version of #AvengersEndgame and somehow the film still surpasses all expectations. I cried 5-6 times. It’s the most emotional, most epic, MCU film. A tribute to ten years of this universe and holy shit the great fan service in this movie. Soooo good."

Fandango's Erik Davis posted on Twitter, "#AvengersEndgame is a masterful epic - a true culmination of 22 films that not only concludes the story, but expands upon it. You’ll learn more about the other movies while this one unfolds. If Infinity War is the brawn, Endgame is the brains. And wow, what an ending!"

Chennaites come out in full force for Avengers: Endgame. (Photo: Antara Chakraborthy/indianexpress.com)

Fans catch the early morning show of Avengers: Endgame at Vanitha theater in Kochi. (Photo: Joshy K John/ieMalayalam)

Many core Avengers are going to bid adieu to the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Avengers: Endgame. Their contracts are expiring with this movie, and though they can be renewed, many of them have already moved on. Chris Evans has explicitly said he is hanging up the Captain America suit. Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor) might stick around for a little more. There is a Black Widow movie in development and a fourth Thor movie is also said to be in the pipeline. Hemsworth has also expressed interest in continuing to play the role. However, their roles in post-Endgame MCU will likely be limited to appearances. Hemsworth has joined the Men in Black reboot, which, unless he really is the God of Thunder, kind of precludes him of being a full-time part of some other big franchise. Also, with so many superheroes around (and the number is only going to get bigger with X-Men and Fantastic Four), it will soon become impossible to tell stories when you have a veritable army of characters vying for screentime. The makers are using Endgame to give a perfect send off to the superheroes who began it all.

Avengers: Endgame will have the original superheroes fighting to undo the damage Thanos caused. They are expected to employ the use of time travel and so on. They will also, the trailers say, fight the Mad Titan again and exact vengeance from him. However they accomplish their goals, it is clear that the focus is going to be on the old guard of the Avengers, the group who fought Loki and the Chitauri in the first Avengers film. The directors have said as much. Joe Russo said in his recent Mumbai visit, “This movie focuses on the six original Avengers and closes the book and the stories being told about them in the last decade. We spent a lot of time with the writers to see that we deliver a powerful, emotionally impactful ending and hopefully it will be delivered.”

Last year’s Avengers: Infinity War, the third film in the franchise, had the bad guy winning in an MCU movie for the first time. Thanos acquired every Infinity Stone from the heroes and obliterated half the living population of the universe. Many major characters who were introduced after phase 2 like Peter Parker and T’Challa died as well.

Avengers: Endgame is certainly not the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it is an end. It will wrap up the giant story that began in 2008 with Iron Man when a certain Avengers Initiative was put forward by Nick Fury.