"Endgame" reaction (Minus spoilers)
I worked the third shift Thursday night and went straight into "Endgame" at 8:30 AM (with my 9-year old son on his spring break, who has been getting into the MCU for the last year or so.) That said, I wasn't tempted to rest my eyes once, and that is saying something. Also, it's the first time in my life I've bought the big bucket of popcorn (*with free refill) and took advantage of the refill during the movie. I don't advise substituting a bucket and a half of popcorn for a balanced breakfast.
Going in I was nostalgic for the first Avengers movie, which took me by surprise for being as funny as it was, and knowing this one couldn't match that. It didn't, but just barely. Some good jokes and funny situations that affect the story and how it unfolds, but more importantly the jokes are played right. The laughs broke the tension and pathos so well on so many occasions. In the epilogue, a joke call-back choked me up with real feelings!
I was impressed with how well-written this entry is. Every character is spot-on, and especially the core Avenger group get to bring their individual stories to satisfying endpoints. Even the guys who get played for laughs had moments of real heart and hurt that was dealt with realistically. And there were real plot surprises to be had here, starting in the first act.
I have a couple quibbles with the main plot device and how it worked out, but the movie itself acknowledged that would be impossible to avoid "in those kinds of movies" so it wasn't a deal-breaker the way TLJ's "Space Chase" plot device was for me.
It was the most satisfying "finale" movie I've seen since "Return of the King," and it gets it's cake and eats it too, by also setting up future stuff that I find myself surprisingly interested in following. "Guardians 3" wins the prize for the best set-up, if they actually follow through I will be very pleased.
Thumbs up!