Avengers: Infinity War Does The Impossible (Twice)

Balancing The Universe

Living up to the seemingly unreachable levels of hype isn't the only impossible task facing the Russo bros and the movie's screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

While they've helmed big movies before, including the hero vs hero Captain America: Civil War, this is on another level to anything ever attempted. Not only did the movie need to bring together all the different franchises of the MCU, with their lead characters and some supporting players, but had to mix them into a movie that is effectively Thanos' story and make sure each had enough character beats and memorable moments.

All of those needed to be a fair representation of their previous movies, most of which the writers/directors weren't in charge of, while allowing the characters to progress as necessary in this film and fit into its own tone(s), without losing too much of their unique identity. The pivot into the Guardians, for example, is a prime example of how they manage this, and even then they have to mesh them with Thor.

That's over 30 characters' worth of backstories and personalities, in a movie that needs to blend universe-ending stakes with lighter moments, and fit it all into two-and-a-half hours without it rushing or dragging. On top of that, you need to add in something that homages the entire history of the MCU and sets up its future in unpredictable ways, and have a plot that makes it more than just a bunch of awesome characters getting together. It's like a season finale in how much it has to achieve and the storytelling it needs to start bringing to a conclusion, only one with a $300m budget. And the success in that department might well be Avengers: Infinity War's greatest feat.

Fun, er, probably WAS something they considered when balancing the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this put a smile on all our faces.

Share your own Infinity War thoughts down in the comments.