Grade: B
I am getting a sneaking suspicion that the Marvel Cinematic Universe is growing on me. In the case of Avengers: Endgame, I debated between two grades before ultimately settling on the lower one. This is just that kind of movie, that has an aftertaste good enough to make me consider giving it a boost.
This played out like most of the other few and far between MCU films I’ve seen. Its first half (that would be the first hour and a half) was very strong, with fleshed-out characters, superb ensemble acting, and a plot that was simple and accessible enough for even me to understand. Then the movie lost me a little bit when the action took over, only to come back and end with a flourish – quite a sweet and poignant one here. I think many if not all fans will be pleased and satisfied. Everybody we remember and want to see shows up, even if it’s just for a one-shot lineless cameo.
These actors’ enjoyment of each other on and off screen is infectious. There is plenty of Robert Downey Jr. here, and on a personal note, I admire that he has been clean since the early 2000s – and this time, it seems to have stuck. Mark Ruffalo would never have been one who came to mind to play the Hulk, but he always brings his basic good-guy charm to the character.
Avengers: Endgame definitely feels like its 3 hour and 1 minute running time, but it’s earned it, I guess. You will feel like you were born, grew up, grew old, and died watching this movie.
Grade: B
Film Reviews by Mark 
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