Endgame Overview and Future Expectations

SPOILER EDITION

The time for hype is now. Avengers have fought, snaps have been snapped, and “Avengers: Endgame” has finally come out in theaters.

Since its release on Thursday April 25, Endgame has made an estimated $1.2 billion at the box office opening weekend, breaking several records. And the reason why is clear.

After the giant cliffhanger in “Avengers: Infinity War”, Marvel has finally reached its climax—and the fans are all too excited. Although most fans expected “The Snap” to be reversed in Endgame, the repercussions were unexpected. In their mission to bring back “the vanished,” Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow) and Tony Stark (Iron Man) died. For Good. This was partially to be expected because most of the actors’ contracts were ending, but that doesn’t mean the characters’ deaths were any less dramatic. (Especially since Tony married Pepper Potts and had a daughter.)

As for the other main Avengers, they also found their endings:

At the end of the film, Steve Rogers (Captain America) goes back in time to return the stones, but doesn’t come back. He instead stayed in the past to be with Peggy Carter. The film goes on to show Steve, in present day, as an old man with a life well lived. He gives Sam Wilson (Falcon) his shield, and both Steve and Bucky Barnes (Winter Soldier) condone Sam becoming Captain America. Steve’s ending was sad, but it was exactly what he needed. All he had ever wanted was to have that dance with Peggy, and his wish was finally granted.

As for Clint Barton (Hawkeye), he lost his whole family from “The Snap” and went on to become an assassin called “Ronin” in the Marvel comics. After the time skip, he re-joins the team in order to get his family back, which he accomplishes after losing Natasha. Although her death seriously affected Clint, he was finally able to have his family back and return to a normal life.

However, these characters sum up the more heartfelt conclusions. Bruce Banner (Hulk) and Thor had more…unique developments. Bruce was able merge both sides of himself, which was good for him, but also a tad disturbing. He basically looks like a nerdy, fully-clothed Hulk now. Thor on the other hand, totally let himself go after “The Snap” and became a fat, emotional drunkard. If he wasn’t a joke in Thor: Ragnarok, he definitely was one in Endgame. And although he redeems himself, he won’t be the same for a while.

Overall, Endgame was everything it was made out to be.

It was well-paced and packed with action and emotion. Watching the main characters evolve—better or for worse—was interesting and gave a sense of resolution. Not to mention, the subtle Easter eggs for hardcore Marvel fans were a nostalgic reward.

Although it seems like an end of an era, the MCU is far from over. Marvel movies will still be made, and Disney+ will soon be making TV shows for Falcon/Winter Soldier, Loki, and Wanda/Vision. Loki’s show will have Tom Hiddleston acting in it, but it hasn’t been released yet if the show takes place before or after the events in “Avengers: Infinity War.”

As for Wanda (Scarlet Witch), her show will most likely be about her time in Edinburgh with Vision, or her journey to get him back. It’s also possible that Chris Hemsworth might appear in the next “Guardians of The Galaxy” as Thor, considering he invited himself to the party.

Even without the original Avengers, the characters remaining still have a lot of stories to tell.

Easter Eggs:

• Tony Mentions the vision he had in “Avengers: Age of Ultron”.
• Steve tells Bucky “Don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone.” To which Bucky replies “How can I? You’re taking all the stupid with you.” This conversation happened in “Captain America: The First Avenger,” only their lines were reversed and Bucky was going off to war.
• Tony met his dad in the past.
• The creepy ghost on the Soul Stone mountain is Red Skull from “Captain America: The First Avenger.”
• Captain America says “Hail Hydra” just like he did in the comics.
• Hawkeye becomes Ronin, just like in the comics.
• Sam becomes Captain America, like in the comics. Bucky was also Captain America in the comics too, but in the movie he just gave a nod of approval for Sam.
• The shield breaking—the comics and Tony’s vision
• Stan Lee’s cameos might just be people dressed like him now.
• The Quantum-Realm Machine shrunk to fit in the back of the van.
• Spider-man activates instant kill in big battle sequence. Steve calls him “Queens.”
• Steve Rogers is able to hold Mjölnir!!! It was hinted at in “Avengers: Age of Ultron.”
• Natasha and Clint referenced Budapest.