While Marvel has spanned an impressive 23 movies to date, there’s no denying that Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame are up there with the very best the franchise has to offer. The movies, released in 2018 and 2019 respectively, have changed not only the universe as we know it but also demonstrated the lengths Disney are willing to go to in order to make these adventures as thrilling and emotional as possible.
We’re now going to compare the two films and take a look at how they differ, despite effectively being two parts to one story.
The Tone
What makes Avengers: Infinity War so impressive is that Marvel manages to keep its unique tone throughout. Sure there are scenes that make you want to cry - such as Gamora’s death and the big snap at the end. But, for the most part, audiences were able to laugh along the way.
Avengers: Endgame, however, is far bleaker. It starts off dark and dreary right from the beginning and it stays gritty throughout its three-hour runtime.
The Footing
You know the Avengers are in for a rough ride from the very beginning of Infinity War when Thanos and his bloodthirsty children eliminate many who had survived Ragnarok at the end of Thor 3. It’s a cat and mouse adventure, with the Mad Titan on the front foot from the very beginning.
In Avengers: Endgame, however, the gang turns things around. It’s they who are hunting him from the very beginning, resulting in his death at the hands of Thor. The footing of the movie is different but that makes the triumph of the heroes that bit more satisfying.
The Leader
In Endgame, the floor belongs to Tony Stark. It’s he who leads the team in the final battle (albeit alongside Captain America and Thor) and it’s he who helps the gang discover how to go back in time through the Quantum Realm.
But with Stark off on his own mission in Infinity War, where he has to share the stage with Chris Pratt’s Peter Quill, it’s Captain America who leads the gang in that particular movie. He and Black Panther both lead the battle on Wakanda and it’s Cap who calls most of the shots, such as urging Vision not to sacrifice himself.
Thanos
Thanos, while evil, is rather calm about everything in Infinity War. He acts as if he’s doing humanity a favor in wiping out half of all life and he addresses the Avengers with respect throughout the blockbuster, no matter how many obstacles they attempt to put in his way.
In Endgame, though, he’s bloodthirsty. He doesn’t respect them, instead calling them ‘meddlers’ and he takes great enjoyment in trying to kill the heroes, something he didn’t do the first time around. The Mad Titan definitely lives up to his name in this adventure.
Hulk
Thanos isn’t the only character to drastically change in between the two movies. Bruce Banner is also extremely different. In Avengers: Infinity War he spends the bulk of his time being stuck as Bruce, rather than his alter ego after Thanos bests him in a fight early on in the showdown.
The next time we see him, though, he’s suddenly Smart Hulk. Banner explains how, having lost twice as each persona, he decided to blend the two into one. The CGI used on this is a sight to behold and Mark Ruffalo delivers his lines superbly, despite being stuck under a jacket of technological equipment.
Thor
Has there been a more startling and surprising change in a movie character than what happens to Thor? He’s at his absolute peak in Infinity War, wielding Stormbreaker and getting extremely close - in fact the closest out of everybody - to taking Thanos down.
When we see him in Endgame, though, it’s clear that the events of the previous movie have had a damaging effect. He’s plumper around the middle, his hair is matted and dirty and he seems to have become an alcoholic. Fortunately, he’s able to overcome these issues in order to play a key role in the final fight against Thanos at the end,
Captain Marvel Is There
Fans were unsure what to expect when Captain Marvel’s solo movie came out in between the two Avengers blockbusters. But, upon learning of how powerful she is and how she obtained her abilities, everybody was convinced she’d be a game-changer for Endgame.
And that she is. Though she’s absent for most of the movie she returns at the ends and steps up, destroying Thanos’ ship and even surviving a headbutt from the villain. We wonder if she’d have the power and strength required to survive a snap…
What Characters Can Do
When you think of Captain America, you think of his shield. When you think of Clint Barton, you think of his bow and arrow. When you think of Thanos, you think of the Infinity Gauntlet.
At least, you did up until Endgame released. It’s the movie that surprised us all, with Cap wielding the power of Mjolnir a particular highlight. Barton has evolved being Ronin, now capable of chopping down enemies with a sword - as well as a crossbow. And Thanos showed us all why he’s so feared, proving himself to be a fine wielder of a double-bladed weapon. Endgame certainly shifted the goalposts when it came to what certain individuals were capable of.
The Snaps
An obvious one - but we were never going to leave it out. The ‘snaps’ performed in both movies are completely different because, in simplistic terms, they have drastically different consequences.
When Thanos performed the act in Infinity War, it meant death and disaster for all of the characters we held dear. When Tony does it in the sequel, however, it’s a moment of triumph. Sure, Tony’s death is sad. But going out a hero, turning Thanos and his followers to dust and saving the entire universe in the process, is exactly what he’d have wanted.
The Endings
The ending of Infinity War is bleak. That movie ends with everybody silently being dusted with Captain America merely stuttering an ‘oh God’ in response to the tragedy that unfolds right in front of your eyes.
But the ending of Endgame is a triumphant one. It’s of Cap again but, this time, he’s gone back in time to get the dance with Peggy Carter that he’s always wanted. And it means that, though we’re sad to see Chris Evans go, fans leave feeling satisfied and that Steve Rogers’ journey is genuinely complete.
