Endgame is one of contrasts. It’s about the heroes who have been lost in the events of Infinity War, while going on to show their return and the victory that follows. The balance of the highs and lows that the heroes, and therefore the audience, experience in Endgame is what allows these scenes to resonate so emotionally. It’s a movie filled to the brim with action, but the reason why those battle scenes work is because of the emotional weight underneath.
Looking back seven years later, some moments stand out above the rest. They’re the ones that continue to linger in the minds of MCU fans long after the film came and went in theaters. Whether it’s a long-awaited payoff, a twist, or a perfectly timed and executed moment that is extremely meaningful for a given character, these scenes highlight why Endgame is such a monumental and compelling film all these years later.
Ronin’s Introduction
Clint Barton’s transformation into Ronin, which was teased in earlier films, is a clear sign early on that Endgame is darker and more serious than previous MCU films. He’s introduced in Tokyo, with the rain pouring down amidst the neon lights of the city, and this iteration of Hawkeye is shown to be completely unlike the hero audiences knew before. He lost his family in the blip, which made him a ruthless and deadly antihero of sorts, intent only on punishing those he believes didn’t deserve to survive the snap.
Ronin’s introduction in Endgame works so well because of the atmosphere, which is set immediately in the scene through the visuals. The lighting and the rain set the tone for not just the scene, but for Hawkeye as well, and shows right away the way in which this character has changed. The action that follows is one of the most memorable of the movie, and stands out because of how relatively small scale it is compared to other scenes.
Thanos’ (First) Death
Killing Thanos right away in the opening moments of the film is one of the most surprising decisions made in Endgame. After how powerful he was in Infinity War, seeing the villain die so early on shows that nothing is off limits in the new film, and that the eventual rematch between Thanos and the Avengers would look very different from the previous film.
This scene works so well not only because of the shock, but because of the satisfaction that comes from Thanos’s death. This is a villain that killed some of the most famous heroes in the MCU, and although they weren’t revived by his death here, it still acts as a bit of revenge on behalf of the Avengers.
Steve And Peggy’s Dance
Steve Rogers finally gets his dance with Peggy Carter in the final scene of Endgame, which calls all the way back to the very first Captain America film, when the two planned on getting together before Rogers flew into the ice and was frozen for decades. That they finally get their happy ending together is one of the most satisfying moments of Endgame, making this an extremely emotional scene as well.
The quiet and subtle way the Russos approach this scene plays a huge part in what makes it stand out. There’s no explanation, no joke or quip, and instead, the audience sees the only thing they need to see, which is Steve and Peggy reunited once again.
Captain America Vs. Captain America
Deep into the time heist that the Avengers engage in during the second act of the film, Captain America comes up against an older version of himself, and the two engage in hand-to-hand combat. It’s a scene that shows the 2012 version of the hero as more optimistic and Boy Scout-like, which is a unique kind of fan service that harkens back to the hero’s identity in the comics.
In doing so, this scene also serves as a way to show how Steve Rogers has grown as a character. The older Steve is more self-aware, having been through so many things since the first Avengers film. It’s a moment that is both clever and entertaining and, at the same time, goes to show just how much he’s changed over the years.
Captain America With Thor’s Hammer
Few moments in Avengers: Endgame garnered a reaction from fans in the theater as strong as when Steve Rogers wielded Mjolnir. It’s a payoff years in the making, calling back to a scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron where Steve attempts to lift the hammer and hints that he might be worthy. When it finally happens here, it feels simultaneously surprising and also, in a way, inevitable.
The scene works so well because of the way in which it’s executed. Audiences see the shot of the hammer lifting slowly off the ground, then cut to it flying across into Steve’s hand. Before they know it, Steve is now wielding the weapon for the first time. It’s shocking, surprising, and also works to inspire a bit of hope in the heroes who need it at this exact moment when the scene occurs, deep into the final battle with Thanos.
I Am Iron Man
Tony Stark’s final line in the very first Iron Man film is one that changed the MCU forever. He reveals to the world that he is Iron Man, and years later in Endgame, he comes full circle. Tony declares to Thanos his iconic line, “I am Iron Man,” bringing his character arc full circle and closing out his hero in the best way possible.
In doing so, Tony saves the universe, but loses his life in the process. It’s a devastating moment, but one that also manages to be satisfying as well. The conclusion of Tony’s character felt expected yet heavy, all while giving him one of the most memorable death scenes in blockbuster history.
The Portals Scene
No scene in the entirety of the MCU has a payoff like the portals sequence in Avengers: Endgame. The whole movie leading up to this point deals with loss, and here, the hard work the Avengers have put in comes to fruition as the dead heroes return to fight Thanos.
It’s a scene that is huge in scale, with literally hundreds of characters on display. However, it feels earned, especially as Steve shouts, “Avengers… Assemble,” which is the culmination of everything the MCU had been building toward up until this point.
Release Date
April 26, 2019
Runtime
181 Minutes
Writers
Keith Giffen, Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Don Heck, Jim Starlin, Joe Simon, Steve Englehart, Jack Kirby, Steve Gan, Bill Mantlo, Stephen McFeely, Christopher Markus
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Steve Rogers / Captain America
English (US) ·