Disclaimer: This review contains HEAVY SPOILERS for the movie Avengers: Infinity War
It’s been two weeks since the premiere of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. By now, most people have already watched the movie, and even if they haven’t, they’ve seen the meme about its ending. It was the first thing on everybody’s minds when they exited the movie theatre; the imagery of a slew of characters fading into oblivion at the end, including fan favourites Black Panther, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, Star Lord and even Nick Fury.
However, as big of an impact as that made on the mass audience, I argue that there could have been a better ending to wrap up such a significant movie in the franchise. Here’s what I think should have gone down:
1. Keep the Phase 4 movie lineup for the END of Infinity War
The deaths at the end of the movie lacked impact to me, mainly because Marvel’s marketing team released the entire Phase 4 movie lineup just a few days before the premiere of Infinity War. Why would you do that? What they should have done is simple and it focuses on rewarding the casual and hardcore audience who purchased the movie tickets for Infinity War.
After Nick Fury drops his futuristic pager that dials straight to Captain Marvel, they should have shown some (not all) upcoming key feature films. The act of name dropping a few cool titles like Warlock, Fantastic 4, Nova, Thunderbolts and Avengers X would have sent the crowd into a frenzy after major characters kicked the bucket. The sense of speculation would have done Marvel great justice, but instead we get a very uninspired way to off characters.
We actually know how these deaths will turn out in the next Avengers movie because Spider-Man, Strange, Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy all have movies slated in the upcoming years. Marvel could have waited to bestow the knowledge of its Phase 4 lineup to those that waited till the end credits of Avengers 4 simply because they can. Who is going to one up the Marvel Cinematic Universe really? The DC cinematic universe? Surely you jest.
2. Introduce Death into the cinematic universe
Having Death appear at the end would have added more perspective to the mad titan’s quest to cull half the universe because “preservation for the future generation” isn’t really a villain like motive. Having Thanos obsessed and in love with a metaphorical aspect of the universe would have elevated his status as a villain that is driven purely by ambition and determination. One of the biggest missed opportunity of this film, as it would have not only added a personal accomplishment of sorts for Thanos as a character but also it would have stayed true to the comic books.
3. Show us more of Captain Marvel!
While the cliffhanger ending was made to whet the appetite of fans everywhere around the world, it ended without hope. Capitalizing on a massive death toll such as the one we have just witnessed, it would have been the perfect moment to introduce a new character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, namely Captain Marvel, who is touted to be the most powerful superhero currently in this universe.
A 10 second slow upward pan that exhibits her in costume and stops directly before they reveal her face would have been the flawless ending of hope that would have riled up the audience. It also makes sense as it builds anticipation for the next movie installment in the lineup which is named after the space powerhouse herself.
All these calculated twists wouldn’t have even costed the studio a penny more as they could have planned all of these scenes in advance, but it would have added so much more depth to the resolution of the movie. The fans would have been happier, the hype would have been crazier and the wait for the next movie would have been thirstier. Above all, the movie would have gone from an 8 to a 10 immediately (at least for me).
All we can hope is that they get it right in the next Avengers movie and that the powers that be at Marvel really knows what they are doing. One can only hope.
Till then, stay gold.
