Avengers: Endgame Review - 11 Ups & 4 Downs

2. There's Too Much Fan-Service At Times

Remember that point about the distinction between pay-offs and fan-service? Well, here it comes again, because there are times - particularly during the fist two thirds where the film begins to stray into the realms of back-slapping fan-service.

There are even times when the directors might as well have turned to the camera with a knowing wink. As with Captain America's backside, for instance, or Cap's new weapon or the treatment of a pair of favourites from Thor: Ragnarok. They're telling us they KNOW what we want and that they're happy for us to have it. But that their participation is a very conscious part of the transaction.

Yes, it's good to get a lot of what we want, but if everything is the sweetest pie you've ever tasted, would you really want to gorge?

It also feels somewhat like the end of Cap's story sets up a future that simply hasn't been earned. Yes, it's a new direction, but everything has to be seeded in earlier films for something that major to be pulled out last minute.