To this day we can still recall just how blown away we were by part 1, popularly known as Infinity War and how we were counting down to the eventual culmination with the title later confirmed as Endgame. A more than fitting title when you think about it. With a whopping running time of exactly 3 hours and a minute, this one is definitely not for the faint of heart and no doubt it will test your movie watching acumen. But if you have been invested from the start and been literally counting down like us then this should not be a problem. If anything, you definitely know that it will be more than worth it…which then perfectly leads us to our thoughts.

Cast – Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Brie Larson, Karen Gillan, Danai Gurira, Bradley Cooper & Josh Brolin

Directors – Anthony & Joe Russo

Genre – Fantasy/Science fiction film

Running Time – 181 minutes

The grave course of events set in motion by Thanos that wiped out half the universe and fractured the Avengers ranks compels the remaining Avengers to take one final stand in Marvel Studios’ grand conclusion to twenty-two films, “Avengers: Endgame.”

There is no doubt that the Russo brothers who are responsible for putting so many of Marvel’s masterpieces together have outdone themselves with the Avengers trilogy. Their other pieces of work include our other favourite movie trilogy (outside the Avengers series) from the Marvel stable, the Captain America trilogy (The Winter Soldier & Civil War) to be exact. To say we are fans of theirs is putting it very mildly. There was no perfect way to sum it all up than with this.

Infinity War left most of us in limbo and with a lot of confusion…what Endgame does is put everything into perspective and answers several questions we all had. We won’t lie this is one fantastic and epic movie. It will no doubt be everything and more everyone expected it to be, it exceeded even our highest expectations. There’s always hype behind certain things including this movie but it’s more than fitting in this instance.

Endgame is full of emotional moments (keep some tissues close by) and will be quite the rollercoaster ride so best be prepared for that…It’s unlike any superhero movie and there’s no doubt that it is the best superhero movie to have been put together. It brilliantly pays tribute to the previous movies in the trilogy meaning that in order to understand some of its nuances you will have had to have seen the previous movies, and for anyone who hasn’t, well, sorry. It feels like the perfect way to sum it all up, sadly we will say goodbye to certain heroes but it also presents us with a new dawn full of new heroes.

If Infinity War was the flight we were on then Endgame is when we soar and land. It has everything and will no doubt serve as an inspiration to some (us included). We are more than glad to have been invested in the whole Marvel Universe from the start with Endgame feeling like the perfect reward. There’s also nothing more magical than the last two scenes which include the epic last fight…so do stick around until the very end. Marvel has served us well and we look forward to its new chapter. If anything, Endgame is a tribute and the perfect love letter to its loyalists and the original superhero characters. Such is its greatness though that it also presents great entertainment for those who just want to watch a great movie. Very very well played Marvel and that’s why it gets a 9.5 out of 10 rating! EVERYONE NEEDS TO SEE THIS ONE.

If you haven’t latched on already, my excitement levels are on the ultimate high. I feel like all my movie watching life has been in preparation and building up to this movie, that’s an honest assessment. Hotly riding on its previous successes including the recent and epic Black Panther movie, Marvel is seemingly delivering the ultimate knock out punch with their latest offering coming in the shape of Infinity War. Word of advice, this is going to be one of my longest reviews as it should considering what it’s based on…so best be prepared.

Cast – Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin & Chris Pratt

Directors – Anthony & Joe Russo

Genre – Fantasy/Science fiction film

Running Time – 2h 40m

The movie Avengers: Infinity War – Part 1 was officially announced in October 2014 with the Russo brothers coming on board to direct it in April 2015. By May, Markus and McFeely signed on to write the script for the flick, which drew inspiration from Jim Starlin’s 1991 “The Infinity Gauntlet” comic and Jonathan Hickman’s 2013 “Infinity” comic. In July 2016, Marvel shortened the title to Avengers: Infinity War. Filming began in January 2017 at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Fayette County, Georgia, and lasted until July 2017, shooting back-to-back with a direct sequel. Additional filming took place in Scotland, England, the Downtown Atlanta area and New York City.

The Plot

If you’ve been following the trilogy, like most of us, Infinity War picks up two years after the Avengers were torn apart during the events of Captain America: Civil War, Thanos (played by Josh Brolin who is also set to feature as Cable on the upcoming Deadpool movie) arrives on Earth to collect the Infinity Stones for a gauntlet that will allow him to bend reality to his will. The Avengers must join forces with the Guardians of the Galaxy to stop him before his onslaught of destruction puts an end to half the universe.

With so many layers to the movie, it’s hard to determine where to start exactly analysing it. What I will say from the onset though is it lived up to the billing and more, Infinity War blew my socks off and I can safely confirm that it is now one of my favourite movies ever, bunched up there with the likes of Inception and The Dark Knight Rises. In my book it is one of the best movies made and definitely the best comic book and fantasy led movie at the moment.

From the beginning it’s apparent that Marvel weren’t messing about with this one with the opening scene getting straight to the point involving some of the Avengers team members, the larger than life Thanos and his team of generals. Larger than life because that’s exactly what he is, he is almost Godlike. Marvel did a fantastic job with the CGI created character villain who blew me away. I’ve always said one of the biggest things that make a movie work well is the villain and Thanos in this instance is a more than worthy instigator deserving of going up against our favourite heroes.

Most of the storyline revolves around the villain who is hellbent on accomplishing his main mission and causing all kinds of destruction in his wake whilst at it. A fantastic job Marvel made to have Brolin play him, talk about a perfect fit. What I especially like about Thanos is how his character is humanized with softer moments accompanied by pure power, madness, narcissism, charm and dominance.  

Considering the number of moving parts involved, it would have been easy for a story like this to go sideways quickly…Marvel in conjunction with the Russo brothers did a fantastic job of knitting it all together perfectly and giving just about every hero and scene enough attention and screen time. I’m blown away by how everything was done perfectly in under two and a half hours, nothing felt rushed or out of place.

The concept of also having our heroes fighting for the same cause in different universes and parts of the earth was brilliant. In addition, the fight scenes were everything and more giving us a taste of what our favourite heroes are best known for, from Doctor Strange and his mind bending magic tricks and sorcery to Thor’s pure resilience and power…this movie had it all! The added humour in parts also made this a joy to watch. I’m afraid I don’t have anything bad to say about it, it’s near perfection. The now famous ending of the movie should also have you speechless and sets up the sequel perfectly…I wish that was coming out today! Needless to say, stick around for the short end credit scene after the movie has ended.

Marvel have delivered another masterpiece and literally a massive knockout punch, without a doubt their best movie ever. Topping this is going to be tough even for them. In my book, Infinity War is already a classic. Filled with all kinds of emotions, great characters and a fantastic piece of storytelling, this movie is everything and more. After watching I can safely confirm that it is indeed the movie I’ve been preparing for all my life. I don’t mind watching this one over and over again, in fact I’m going to watch it again and again and again…that’s why it gets an out of this world 9 out of 10 rating from me.

As always, special thanks to Ster Kinekor & MNet Movies for hooking a brother up with another superb screening.

When you look at it from the onset you immediately understand why this role is perfect for Holland – his childish looks, squeaky voice, excitable demeanor and overall frame/appearance scream out Spiderman. This was made more apparent when we were officially introduced to him (the new Spiderman) in the epic Captain America: Civil War movie. Judging by the feedback and overall views from people who have already seen the movie, Spiderman: Homecoming sounds like a proper and overall good superhero movie. Adding my name to that list now, do I agree?

Cast – Tom Holland, Michael Keaton, Jon Favreau Zendaya, Donald Glover, Tyne Daly, Marisa Tomei & Robert Downey Jr.

Director – Jon Watts

Genre – Fantasy/Science fiction

Running Time – 2h13m

Before we get into it, let’s take a general look at the overall plot:

The Plot

Thrilled by his experience with the Avengers, young Peter Parker returns home to live with his Aunt May. Under the watchful eye of mentor Tony Stark, Parker starts to embrace his newfound identity as Spider-Man. He also tries to return to his normal daily routine — distracted by thoughts of proving himself to be more than just a friendly neighborhood superhero. Peter must soon put his powers to the test when the evil Vulture emerges to threaten everything that he holds dear.

Now that’s out of the way, I can now answer the question posed.  Do I agree that this Spiderman is an overall good movie? Well, I’ve put both my hands up and I second what everyone is saying. I declare that I really liked the movie, a lot. It’s what a classic Spiderman movie should be and more. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy the previous ones, but this one is different. Spiderman: Homecoming is an overall feel good movie packed with lots for everyone to enjoy, from cool action sequences, to silly and funny moments sprinkled across perfectly. There’s a certain charm and innocence to it that will no doubt endear it to many.

The cast is also perfectly assembled with Tom Holland playing a key role in making the movie what it is, another case for the perfect person cast in a role. Veterans, Michael Keaton and Robert Downey Jnr, also do what they do best and that is to deliver. The Marvel Universe is fantastic and filled with many possibilities, Spiderman: Homecoming adds to that perfectly and offers something different and lighthearted to its whole set up.

Marvel have pulled off another peach of a movie here, one can only wonder how they do it. The consistency is mind-blowing and unrivaled. Spiderman: Homecoming is a great movie, one that I can safely declare as being the best superhero movie this year so far. Perfect for the whole family and die hard superhero movie junkies, Spiderman: Homecoming gets a well-deserved 4.3 out of 5 rating from me.

Special thanks to MNet Movies (in conjunction with Ster-Kinekor) for a great evening and an even better screening!