This article discusses the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies and contains spoilers.
Avengers: Endgame hits theaters on April 26, and let me tell you, I’m getting myself mentally (even physically) prepared for this moment. Not only is the film one of the longest in the series with a three hour run time, it also brings all of the elements of the Marvel Cinematic Universe thus far together to its climax following the events of Avengers: Infinity War. And, since, you’re probably thinking “wow, I don’t even remember everything that’s happened until now,” because, honestly, it’s been a lot, I remembered everything for you. Here are the key moments you need to know to prepare for Avengers: Endgame – in all its butt-kicking, star-studded and action-packed glory.
- The Introduction of the Original Six Avengers, Overall Conflict and Thanos’ First Look in “The Avengers”
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Ultimately, the first Avengers movie sets up most of the conflict that continues to spiral throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, paving the way for the Avengers themselves to take on the world while learning more about themselves in the process. In this movie, we see familiar faces all together for the first time on the big screen – Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, and Hulk – to take down Loki, Thor’s adopted brother. Loki’s in pursuit of the Tesseract and brings an alien army invasion to try and take over the world. Obviously, he is eventually defeated, causing the Avengers to devote themselves to protect all humankind (hell yeah). In particular, the conflict in The Avengers revolves around the Tesseract, a major power source of the universe (and as we come to find out later, a source for one of the Infinity Stones). Also, the movie gives the audience their first look at Thanos, the Infinity War and Endgame villain, in the post-credit scene.
- Initial Introduction of the Infinity Stones and Vision in “Avengers: Age of Ultron”
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Avengers: Age of Ultron isn’t super important for what’s going to happen in Endgame as far as the plot, but a lot of details that came out of the film will be helpful in explaining some key moments. This film is mostly focused on Ultron, a rogue artificial intelligence robot powered unknowingly by Tony Stark who threatens to take over the world, which causes the Avengers to reassemble and eventually defeat him. Yet, in connection to Endgame, this film gives us the first initial introduction to the Infinity Stones with the character of Vision, a being powered (quite literally) by the “Mind” Infinity Stone. Additionally, characters such as Scarlet Witch are introduced and Thanos is again seen in a mid-credit scene vowing to make his way to Earth.
- The Snap in “Avengers: Infinity War”
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One of the most heartbreaking moments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever came with the Snap. Essentially, Avengers: Infinity War brings together the largest group of superheroes in one movie due to the of the arrival of Thanos on earth (finally). After intense battles in many different places, including Wakanda (Black Panther’s stomping ground), England, and outer space, all of the new and old Avengers are (seemingly) defeated as Thanos acquires all of the Infinity Stones and wipes out 50 percent of the population. In doing so, most of our superheroes die. Yes, that’s right, they literally fade to dust. Not to mention, Nick Fury and Maria Hill are snapped in the post-credit scene, but not before they send an urgent emergency page to Captain Marvel. But is all hope really lost? Will she save the day?
- The Arrival of Captain Marvel and the Original Creation of the Avengers Initiative in “Captain Marvel”
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Marvel’s last movie is essentially the glue that holds both Infinity War and Endgame together. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel introduces us to Vers, a Kree powerhouse who harnesses a mysterious power and is a member of the Kree Starforce. After an intense space battle against the Skrulls (an alien shapeshifter race), she is captured and subjected to a memory probe, but escapes. We see her fall down to earth – smack into a Blockbuster in Los Angeles. That event brings in Nick Fury and Phil Coulson to confront her and learn more about her, while the Skrulls invade earth and try to get to Vers themselves. Teamed up with Nick Fury, Vers uses those extracted memories to try to find out who she really is. And boom! After some ups and downs, Vers finally figures out who she is: Carol Danvers, a superhuman with Kree power. She is one (if not the) most powerful force in the universe, and in my opinion, a stellar addition to the team to defeat Thanos. Most of this plot gives us backstory on her as the Avengers saving grace, but also gives us that needed background on Nick Fury and the Avengers Initiative. At the end of the movie, Captain Marvel soars back to outer space, while Nick Fury ponders his first project to put these crazy superheroes together and determines to call it the “Avengers” Initiative, after Carol “The Avenger” Danvers, which was Carol’s military nickname. To top it all off, we then get a mid-credit scene where the some of the Avengers (the ones who are left from the Snap) monitor the pager that Nick Fury activated, and debate on how to deal with it. And boom (again!). There’s Captain Marvel. I guess she got the message.
Now that you’re all caught up, it’s time to get excited for Avengers: Endgame! Here’s hoping the Avengers kick butt and defeat Thanos once and for all.