This is the reason why I listen to Kermode. Honest, balanced opinion maker and fundamentally a good film critic :-)

See, this is why I love Mark Kermode as a critic. He knows when to still pay respect to the film when he knows it works for its core audience, even if it means he himself didn't love it as much.

Drax, "He's not a dude. You're a dude. This is a MAN. A handsome, muscular man."

I saw the movie yesterday...Its amazing....I laughed, was shocked, shed a tear or two. Storytelling was on point, great pacing. Didnt feel like a 2h30min movie at all. The visuals were stunning. Just an overall intense and phenomenal experience especially if you are a fan of the genre.

My jaw literally dropped after. I was emotionally and physically drained in the best way and I know it sounds like an overreaction but all the buildup that led to this movie was sooo worth it as a fan of this franchise. I loved it a lot.

We don't deserve you Mark. I envy your ability to see a film both from your in perspective and from that of others.

The most respectable negative review I've seen for this movie. Very nicely put and understandable. I loved the movie and yet I can't really disagree with anything you said. Edit: Its actually a fairly well balanced review rather than negative. Also... who didn't like Blade Runner 2049!?

While its disappointing we were not on the same page about the movie, I respect your opinion Mark. Great review as always. This is the beauty of film criticism

Best critic in the world. Couldn't have summarised it better

Yeah, this review sums up the movie very well. Infinity War is a love letter to fans of comic books and superheroes in general, but as a regular movie it is extremely unconventional. There is no beginning, middle, or end, nothing close to the classic three act plot structure. It's just....scenes. Scene after scene, constantly jumping from plotline to plotline, character to character. And it expects the audience to be able to know, keep track, and care for every single one of them. Add the bombastic amounts of action and CGI, and you have a movie that non-fans will likely find incredibly overstuffed and messy. If you don't care for these movies, or these characters, this movie will be the cinematic equivalent of diarrhea. Your head will hurt by the second or third time they talk about the Infinity Stones and what they do, and if you don't remember every single movie, know every single character, and remember where each Stone is and what it does, you will be well and truly lost. But if you do care about this series, this will be everything you have come to love from Marvel. All the franchise trademarks are here. Characters, action, quips, it's all there. This is the ultimate "It was made for the fans" movie. The difference between Infinity War and other movies that are "made for the fans" is that Marvel has made a decade's worth of passable-to-great movies, so they can justify one movie that's just complete fanwank.

I love Blade Runner: 2049 and thought it had a suitable runtime. I also love Avengers: Infinity War and also have no issue with it's runtime. It appears that I get the best of both worlds. =)

Mark hit the nail on the head This is an exhilarating and emotionally exhausting experience for marvel fans. This is our Star Wars/ lord of the rings. Our generation grew with these characters, I was surprised at the amount of humanity in IW. So for me I had that experience and was shocked in many ways. A great review as usual Mark, I appreciate you mentioning your point of view

Really interesting review. I'm an MCU fan and I don't recognise these criticisms at all, but it's really interesting to hear the opinions of someone less invested in the franchise. :)

This film was amazing and partly because of thanos he was an amazing villain

Completely agree with the Dr

Fantastic work not spoiling this film while still accurately describing the themes in play and the pros and cons, personally I loved it and think it is the best marvel movie so far, however i kind of look at it like a season finale of you favourite tv show, if its a great show and you have been invested all the way through then you will love this season ending, however if you have not been watching all the way through or are disinterested by the characters and stories, then this likely wont work for you. The film takes liberties with some of its creative decisions that if viewed as a traditional film would make it sub-par, however if you do have the prior knowledge necessary, this film is the big blowout season ender that you will likely love.

I don't share Mark's opinion of the film, but I absolutely agree that this is a film catering more for fans than it is the outsider. Mark made the allusion to Deathly Hallows and I absolutely think that IW operates in the same way. To me, Avengers and Infinity War really don't work just going into these films with minimal knowledge of the years of films that have preceded them. These two films especially are the large and bombastic firework-display celebrations marking the culmination of bringing together already-developed characters and letting them have some fun. I feel also that the size of the cast and the scope of the plot mandated the long running time - another movie averaging two hours would not have given the deserved space that all these characters needed to really bounce off of one another which, really, is the main hook of the film. The film is a reward for those who have followed the franchise, and can't really be criticised for which I appreciate Mark not doing - it's all just how we individually experience​ the movie.

I can't wait for Half In The Bag.

Comic book genre movies are pure soap opera, because they originate from Comic Books which are pure soap opera. I think that if you appreciate this then you appreciate that the consequences are always going to be short term. People are never dead, universes can be rebooted. The MCU is at the forefront in an era of a serialised consumerist cinema narrative in the same way as a consumer was invested in the shorts at the start of cinema. If you're not invested already, you'll feel like you're missing out, driving you into the cinema. Cynically, probably, but I think you have to look at the Avenger bookends as a reward to the consumers of the previous films to keep them spending. As such, a lot of the emotion comes from previous films, transferred over, just like in soap opera.

As someone who is emotionally invested in the franchise, its one of the greatest films I've ever seen. But I fully agree with Kermode's superbly balanced review of this in terms of its dependency on who you are as a viewer and how you may feel quite differently if you are watching this as a one-off (which would be crazy imho) or as someone who has casually caught a few Marvel movies. Well done Mr. Kermode: a fine line, well-trodden.

This is a clear example of a reviewer who has his own opinion BUT respects others’ opinions. Certain other reviewers could take a hint...

Agree with Mark about movie length. Blade Runner 2049 didn't feel long and neither did the 3 hour long Gone Girl. A films length really doesn't matter if every second of it is gripping.

Love this review, Can't imagine a more succinct review for the film.

Very self-aware, nuanced review. I appreciate that.

Huge Marvel fan here who saw the movie tonight and loved it. Agree with Mark in the way he balances his review. It's the culmination of ten years of movies; casual viewers may struggle.

This is such a good review of the final act without actually talking about any specifics or plot; yet if you've seen it you know exactly what he's talking about and what the critique is.

Chris Hemsworth's best performance as 'Thor' Has one amazing entrance scene. That not seen audience response to in 30 years of watching movies.

tl;dw: its great if you are invested in the mcu, it's merely ok if you are not

Marks honesty about his film preferences is very refreshing. Great review!

This movie's strength is also its weakness: it's a love letter to the fans for staying with the studio for 10 years. Coming into this as an outsider is like reading a love letter intended for someone else.

BBC RADIO 5 has never let me down

I love Infinity War, due to me growing up and knowing these characters over the 10 years of the MCU. I’m glad you gave your true opinion, but also presented the idea that it’s not resonated with you the same as others, due to your involvement in the franchise being minute.

My favorite marvel movie. Couldn't take my eyes off it and the ending shocked me to my core. Outdone themselves. Well done russo bros didn't think they had it in them

This is a great review. He manages to go over all of the concerns I had from the perspective of non-Marvel fans and he did it without spoiling a thing. Fantastic.

Kermode's best review. I've been listening since the Radio 1 days of New Labour and Bruce Willis. I honestly think this is his best ever review. Its ok for reviewers to want to be good and their reviews/criticisms to be remembered. This is a Tour De Force. Its like listening to an amazing song.

Appreciate Mark's Criticisms here, and understand his viewpoint as a non-fan, but for me, this is now the gold standard in Super Hero films, perhaps with the exceptions of Thor Ragnarok, and The Winter Soldier (and DC Universe/Nolanverse excluded). This balanced so many threads, so much action, and yet it was seamless, visually breathtaking, and packed emotional weight. The narrative management, script and tone are all spot on - three things that a film like The Last Jedi for example - which Mark was fairly fond of - all failed to wrangle successfully. I give it 5 Stars, and I sincerely look forward to my next viewing.

Great review! I'm part of that "core audience" group and very much enjoyed the film. I completely understand the reservations Mark raises though.

My wife's never seen an MCU movie, doesn't know Iron Man from Captain America, and she enjoyed herself. Was even surprised when the movie was over, despite the long running time. This is when you know you've got a massive hit on your hands.

Great review. As a big fan of this universe, but also a film nerd, I feel kind of trapped between the two sides you described.

As a fan of the Marvel movies, these are all fair points, particularly the one about funny quips and one-liners undercutting the dramatic momentum of certain sequences.

I'm a big fan of the franchise but I agree with this review wholeheartedly.

Mark, you realize Thanos probably killed Howard the Duck off-screen on Knowhere?

Thanos was portrayed as a complex figure with noble drives and real pathos. Phenomenal villain.

A fair point of view but I'm glad it didn't cater to the lowest common denominator, mediocrity is the only outcome. The MCU have built a fanbase over the past decade of people for the most part who barely knew these characters and yet it's become the biggest franchise in the known universe. They did it by having a clear idea of where they were going and they never forgot that fanbase who got them there. This movie was made way before it hit the screen and specifically for those fans and not for the uninvested. Lucasfilms take note because you've done the opposite and that will have real world consequences.

Hey Beeb, any chance of finally getting a camera capable of recording in HD in the studio? :)

To review a movie like this and not give away any spoilers is a wonderful skill, well done, Mark. I am a huge Marvel fan and I loved the roller-coaster ride of emotions Infinity Wars put me through but I also completely understand where Mark is coming from. The jumping around from one story-thread with often big gaps in-between, did make things feel a little disconnected at times and the consequential part he got spot-on...although I have noted all over the internet a lot of people perhaps felt the 'consequences' more than I did. There were also just so many characters that some had little or no screen-time which was slightly disappointing but I still really enjoyed it. The whole thing was intense, funny, exciting, heartbreaking and everything in-between.

Absolutely brilliant review Mark. Really nails it from various POVs.

Kermode's mention of a requisite degree of credible peril in fantasy movies in order for them to work is something some people have used to criticize Marvel movies. To this I say, "James Bond." Do we ever feel that James Bond is in actual danger? - that the laser will cut him in two or that he will actually die? No. And yet that doesn't make the franchise any weaker, does it? Same with the MCU.

Very realistic points if view. I completely agree with all points made. Good review as always.

Same thing as for Star Wars, Mark just isn't invested because he's not a fan. ( Clearly he is a Blade Runner fan ) Comicbook fans knew exactly what was going to happen in this movie, the same as Harry Potter fans knew for harry Potter, and anyone who's read Lord of the Rings knew with that movie. But kudos to him for admitting that, not a bad review.

Takes a great critic to say "This movie didn't work for me, but that's clearly not it's fault; it did exactly what it set out to do, and what it was trying to do just wasn't aimed at me." Bravo, Mark.

“The immutability of time” is the most succinct summary of La Jete’s fundamentals I’ve ever heard. Well said, Mark.

I think your view is perfectly reasonable, and I can see coming from the land of film that such a movie isn't going to be as attractive to you as it would be to comic book fans. One of the features of comic book universes is that all of these characters share it and interact with each other at various times. It has been one of the frustrations fans have had with super hero adaptations in the past, in that they were pretty much standalone. The MCU was high ambition to give fans what they have wanted, and this is the culmination of all of that. To that point, it is a big accomplishment. I can also see that this doesn't necessarily make for a great film. That being said, for the fan, that doesn't really matter. If we are honest with ourselves as comic book fans, the individual stories do tend to be stronger than these huge events. You are not wrong there. But, we do like seeing characters that don't normally interact with each other do so.

A great review. I'd love to know more about that time travel show!!

One of the things amazing about the film was the way it felt like at some points you were seeing it through Thanos and the way he felt just made the film better

excellent analysis and review! as always. ;)

What happened at the Southampton showing of infinity war that mark was talking about? I live in Southampton so I'm curious

I love that Kermode goes out of his way to try and not spoil anything but casually makes a comparison to a time travel movie to describe the idea of consequences feeling real, but ironically Endgame would turn out to be a time travel movie about all of the characters undoing the consequences of this one.

I can see where Mark is coming from. But that is just how it is. Superhero movies and sci-fi films dominate the box office and this is why producers won't stop making them. Infinity War is a war movie. As a marvel fan, I knew Thanos would assemble the gauntlet and wipe half the life in the universe. If you think otherwise you're lying to yourself. Remember that this film was Part 1 and 2. I also know that everyone that died do comeback in the next film. Infinity War was an emotional rollercoaster but next year these same man are gonna come back to life. Whether you think that is good or bad is just personally opinion. In the case of film making its not great cause what was the point if they are just gonna come back to life. And here comes the idea of consequences which Mark was alluding to. What is the point of Infinity War if they come back to life next year?

This is exactly why one of the only reviewers I respect is Mark Kermode. He points out clearly that his criticisms may not apply in the mind of people who are more invested, and he recognizes that. Most other reviewers won't do that. I'm reminded of a review I read of one of the Guitar Hero or Rock Band games, where the reviewer wrote "I don't enjoy these sorts of games." Begs the question why they were asked to review it by their publisher.

As much as the narrative choices were daring for an big budget studio produced superhero movie it really fell flat for me. Its focus on Thanos is great and it really tries to set up his motivations in a much more detailed way than in the previous marvel movies. Its biggest problem is that it doesn't just require you to love its characters but expects you too believe that any of the damage done to any of its heroes is real or permanent like Mark mentioned and while leaving the theatre I couldn't help thinking: "I wonder how long it will take them to reverse most of its dramatic moments and final act.' PS excellent review Mark I couldn't agree more on Blade Runner 2049.

Intelligent review

It's admirable that Komode is looking at it from a Marvel fan perspective, even though he himself isn't one. He admits that he didn't have the same experience as many others watching it, BUT he openly says that doesn't mean it's a bad movie.

What an excellent review. I've often thought Kermode is knowledgeable and easy to listen to, but his reviews often basically give overview and thumbs up/down, without necessarily giving and special insights. But he handled this expertly, balancing not just fan/general perspectives, but also perspective on the movie itself and the contexts of culmination (so far) of unprecedented franchise and pop culture phenomenon. Bravo!

Mark, I completely agree with your review. This movie did not do much for me and I really do not understand the praise. Even if you liked it more, however, I always appreciate your reviews.

Very competently made; exciting and Huge! Very good choices with the characters... Though I can't help feel that Scarlet Witch and Vision scenes were a little hammy. - How many times do we have to hear "You have to...!" followed by "No, I won't....!" followed by "But You Have to....!" - Get's a little boring. Other than that, the most interesting points are all hidden in spoiler-street, so can't be discussed. - utterly worth watching on the big screen!

Mark had a massive learning curve after watching The Greatest Showman and taking into account the views of the core target audience alongside his own. Refreshing to see that he’s taken this new outlook and understands it’s not all about the critics when it comes to reviewing films

Despite not being a fan of the superhero genre he is extremely fair in his reviews. I remember his Black Panther review was very complementary.

A lot of what Kermode says is accurate. It is very episodic at times and it occasionally jumps a little to quickly at times. However, I completely disagree on the running time. I felt it was too short and they could have expanded the storyline in a few places. If given a choice between this and Bladerunner 2049 it would be Avengers Infinity War every time. I'll be back at the cinema again as I can't wait for a DVD release.

I think this is a fair review. I don't agree with all of it, and I am that core audience that Mark is referring too (I really loved the movie), but this is how you conduct a review of a movie like this. Some of the negative reviews I see now (not just of Avengers Infinity War) talk so harshly and down to the audience that it is so offputting and almost confrontational. Mark's review of Infinity War is a great example of how to conduct film criticism; fair, balanced, gives the movie a chance, talks about it from different audience perspectives, and also explains his bias and perspective very well. Great review, this is why I keep coming back all of the time!

I saw the film on Thursday, and I can't agree more with you. I'm not really part of the core audience, although I've seen them all. And I really missed the emotional connection in A:IW

Well done on managing to say so much about the movie without spoiling anything! Indeed, I was surprised by how much pathos they injected into Thanos.

I agree that this movie may alienate casual audiences. The man sitting next to me in the cinema spent the whole time explaining what was going on to his girlfriend. It was one of the most annoying cinema experiences I have ever had. How about explaining it to her before the movie actually starts

Great review guys keep it up

Beautiful criticism Mark. i loved both Blade Runner 2049 and Infinity War, and i loved your take on IW. Thats the beauty of subjectivity of movies.

As always, a pleasure listening to you Mr. Kermode.

1:42 that "Ok" was absolutely beautiful in its context

It's a Thanos movie just like the first Avengers was a Loki Movie. That's where Age of Ultron fell down. Ensemble movies should always focus on the antagonist.

Going to go see this on Saturday. Can't wait

Best review of the film I've seen so far! I personally love the film having grown up with the franchise and really have had a strong attachment to many of the characters, which is vital for the film's success. Thanos was a better villain than I could have asked for knowing Marvel's frequent issue with weak villains. Plus mentioning Blade Runner 2049 in a review is always a plus for me

Very good review. I think when a movie 'isn't made for you' it might be an easy trap for those critics to call it awful, but Kermode is self aware enough to know that. A class act.

I'm reminded of Roger Ebert's review of Serenity. He ended it with "it was made by and for people who can't get enough of this stuff. You know who you are." I've never seen a better defense of well-made genre material.

Like how you illustrated your perspective

The live aid factor. Brilliant.

This is a very fair review. I grew up reading comics and watching these movies and to me, understanding the background and the context in which this was set, I felt like I got a LOT out of it. At least way more than a casual or average movie-goer. I'd say if you're not that invested in the universe or have only seen 1 or 2 marvel movies then you will have no idea what is happening and who people are and why marvel fans are invested in these characters. It's truly a movie for the fans.

Got to say real props to Mark for delivering this review the way he did. He's got his opinions, but he understands this is different for fans of the MCU (like myself). I saw it in the IMAX and I loved every moment. I laughed, I cheered, I got pretty upset and maybe shed a tear, and by the time the credits rolled my heart was racing and my mouth was agape. Oh, and I adored Blade Runner 2049 too.

Very well spoken and fair critique.

That Live Aid analogy was really good.

I adored the experience, it was possibly the most fun i've ever had at a blockbuster 'event' film - but then i've been checking in with the Marvel movies for years now and I guess I'm part of the 'core' audience. Are these movies made for anyone BUT the core audience? There's not much concession in Infinity War for those that aren't up to speed with Cap, Tony et al - perhaps that's a flaw but i'd argue it's also one of its greatest strengths, an unprecedented emotional investment and finally a real sense of jeopardy after ten years and twenty-odd movies. I guess the words of Jarvis Cocker apply to this particular flick - if you didn't come to party, then why did you come here ;-P

Mark made the best point regarding his review at the end of this video: He is not the right person to look for an opinion of the movie if you're an invested fan of the MCU. The great thing about this review is that he is aware of that so he is angling it in different was as well as his own. I thought the movie was phenomenal because I'm invested into the story of each movie and the lore behind it. Kermode gave his own perspective as a casual viewer of the film and gives that angle of it. He acknowledges that this is most likely not the viewpoint of those who are so invested and to those who will watch the movie, which I applaud

Such a fair and reasonable review. Well done.

Blade Runner 2049 was my favourite film of last year. I was raised in the 70's & 80's and it resonated with me just like the original did. I loved Avengers: Infinity War, I guess I'm an audience member who feels emotionally invested in some of the characters and I feel the film delivered its emotional punch to me that was intended for it's fans.

I have lost interest in super hero movies for a few years but Thor Ragnarok and this movie made me a fan again. Love most things about this movie and can't wait to see the second part next year.

I have now seen this and I liked it a although it highlights why Iron Man is probably still my favourite MCU film . The plot and storytelling is compromised by the necessity of going to set up the plot with so many heroes in such a comparatively short space of time with Iron Man all that was needed was focus on one character and his story and his problems. Good but flawed. Josh Brolin as Thanos in particular I thought was superb and there is clear chemistry between Spiderman and Iron Man.

Isn't it less to do with being a fan of a films but more being a long time Marvel fan in general. This is the first time that many of these characters that people grew up with reading the comics have been on screen that is going to cause quite an emotional response from some people.

This is why I like Mark's reviews. While he may not personally enjoy the films, he doesn't act as though everyone should share his view. He is fully aware of the target audience and the film's appeal to that audience. I agree with Mark that if your outside of that audience or have not watched the other Marvel films, you will probably be lost. I quite enjoyed the movie and it subverted my expectations at just about every turn and I loved it for that. I have no idea where the MCU is heading next or what to expect going forward. Infinity War has set the table yet again for other fresh movies set in this universe.

I was emotionally engaged in the mcu because I've been growing up with these movies (I'm 15). But in August I was sick of waiting for Thor ragnarok so I watched Star Wars for the first time in a year and next thing I know I'm a fully fledged Star Wars fan and I was so emotionally engaged with the last Jedi that it did for me what Infinity war did for everyone else and now that infinity war is out I know that if I'd seen that with that same engagement it'd probably have blown my mind but instead I was still a fan of certain films from the franchise like spiderman homecoming and both of the gaudians of the galaxy. I still greatly enjoyed it though and the more I think about it the more I Love it. I can't wait to see it again for the full experience.

Excellent review as usual Mark. Other reviewers should take note on how to speak about a movie without spoiling it. I was one of the fans who this movie was for and I was blown away but I would not recommend it at all to someone who hadn't willingly seen all or most of the other MCU movies. One thing I couldn't quite figure out is if you feel that it is acceptable or not for a movie to preach to the choir so to speak. Should the makers have tried harder to make something that worked for everybody? ( in my opinion..no!)

This is what any critic should say about any film. Balance. Measure. A perspective on audience. Thank you!

Anyone else sort of see the resemblance between mark kermode and thanos?