First reactions to Avengers: Infinity War: does Marvel's superhero epic live up to the hype?
It's just after midnight in Los Angeles, and those people lucky enough to have been invited to Monday night's premiere of Marvel's latest blockbuster, Avengers: Infinity War, are sharing their (spoiler-free) feelings about the film on social media.
Reviews of the film are embargoed until 11pm tonight (GMT), but the first reactions from writers at the premiere suggest it lives up to the hype. The film – which reportedly cost $300 million to make – brings together heroes from a decade's worth of Marvel movies, to confront the super-villain Thanos (Josh Brolin).
Directed by brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, it features an all-star cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson and Robert Downey Jr.
VIP guests at the premiere have been sharing their breathless excitement on social media. According to Robert Liefield, the comic book artist known for his work on Deadpool, it has "the greatest super hero battles ever put to film". Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson Others, including Oscar-winning Room actress Brie Larson, had to resort to BLOCK CAPITALS to convey their feelings.
EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES!!! Like you’ve never imagined! Spectacular! Phenomenal! AVENGERS INFINITY WAR is the best yet! Not even close. The greatest super hero battles ever put to film!!
— robertliefeld (@robertliefeld) April 24, 2018
WE SAW INFINITY WAR AND KNOW EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS IN IT OMG
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) April 24, 2018
And what do the film critics think? The Playlist's editor Rodrigo Pereze called it a "punch fest", a view shared by The Verge's critic Tasha Robinson, who loved it, but added that anyone "bored" by the action scenes in previous Marvel films would be just as bored by the punch-ups here. For CNET journalist Mike Sorrentino, it had the feel of a "soap opera" – but in a good way.
It's the Marvel franchise's Empire Strikes Back, according to a glowing tweet from Slash Film editor Peter Sciretta. Rather more surprisingly, Screenrant writer Rudie Obias saw similarities with Phantom Thread director Paul Thomas Anderson's work. Yes, really. Meanwhile, Mashable's disappointed critic Angie Han was one of the few dissenting voices.
Does it have issues? Sure, it’s a punch fest, yeah, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the dynamics of all these disparate teamups. Let’s see a Thor and Rocket Racoon buddy comedy spin-off. pic.twitter.com/jfjNxTWZYj
— Rodrigo Perez ������ (@YrOnlyHope) April 24, 2018
#AvengersInfinityWar is the MCU's biggest soap opera ever, and that's not a bad thing. Feels more like a sequel to Guardians, and you'll get to see what makes a Mad Titan tick. We will have A LOT to unpack soon.
— Mike Sorrentino (@MikeJSorrentino) April 24, 2018
#InfinityWar is everything you want, nothing you expect. It’s funny, surprising, dark, filled with delightful interplay between characters never seen on screen before. I know many filmmakers say they are trying to make a sequel in the vein of Empire Strikes Back, this succeeds.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) April 24, 2018
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is basically CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR times 20, except with less hero-on-hero fighting. I think people who loved the airport fight in CIVIL WAR like I did will go nuts for this film, and people who were bored will be 20 times as bored here. #InfinityWar
— Tasha Robinson (@TashaRobinson) April 24, 2018
AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is very weighty and juggles most of its characters with consideration. It’s the closest thing to a Paul Thomas Anderson movie you’ll find in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I Am Shook! #Marvel#AvengersInfinityWarpic.twitter.com/YgntkXFIkv
— Rudie Obias (@RudieObias) April 24, 2018
#AvengersInfinityWar: Despite some truly thrilling moments, feels like less than the sum of its parts. A definite step down after that epic run of GotGV2 / Spidey / Thor 3 / Black Panther, but what else did I expect?
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) April 24, 2018
Another thing: I've been reviewing films for decades now, and I have never heard an audience react to the end of a film like the #InfinityWar audience reacted tonight. It was an astonishing experience. (And it's another reason I want to see the film again in a packed house.)
— Tasha Robinson (@TashaRobinson) April 24, 2018