Is 'Avengers: Infinity War' worth the hype?

[dahoa]

You keep using the word "realistic" but I'm not sure in what context. Superhero movies are far from realistic in the fact they're straight fantasy. If you mean that the character motivations and reactions are realistic then yes in many cases they are and that level of good acting/writing makes for an engaging film. It's not unique to the genre, though you could make an argument that Marvel has done very well in developing its characters compared to past and rival superhro franchises.
The term you're looking for is Jungian archetype. People have drawn a parallel between pantheon myths and superheros before (often within the genre). Despite that there have been many bad and unpopular superhero films so if it is a factor it is not a dominant one in Marvel's success.

The context is this. Before there was even Marvel or any ideas about superheroes. Those topic about "powers" were already there more than a hundred years ago. For example, the occult literature quoted:

"By an unconscious recollection of methods and formulas known and used in Atlantean days,
when the magical formulas were public property, and men produced results through the pronouncement
of certain sounds. They did not achieve their ends through mental ability, but principally through a
parrot-like capacity to repeat mantrams. These are, at times, hidden in the subconscious nature, and are
used unwittingly by the man who is feeling strongly enough.

Second. Through the thoughts and ideas of the man fitting in with the plans and purposes of those who
do know, either on the path of white or black magic. Then they utilise the form with its inherent force
and galvanise it into activity, and a temporary separate identity, thus sending it forth to accomplish its
purpose. This accounts for many of the apparently phenomenal results achieved by selfish or by
incompetent (though good) thinkers.
The magical words are only communicated under the seal of secrecy, to men working under the
Brotherhood of Light, to initiates, and to pledged chelas, owing to the great danger involved.
Occasionally, too, they are ascertained by men and women who have brought about a condition of
alignment with the Ego, and are, therefore, in touch with the inner centre of all knowledge within
themselves. When this is so, the knowledge is safe, for the Ego ever works on the side of law and
righteousness, and the words being emanated by the Ego are "lost in His sound" (as it is occultly
termed) and will not be remembered by the physical brain when not under the influence of the solar
Angel."

You see. These were written long before any powers of superheroes became popular. And what is happening is those Marvel superheroes stories were simply recounting the tales of the occult literature! Not the other way around. Therefore when you see Marvel movies.. you can remember the occult literature which precisely mentions those powers and beings that wield them long in the distant past.

Now I'm not saying I believe in the account of the occult literature.. but I want to know the source of this is which precedes the Marvel universe.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

I don't think anyone has ever suggested that Marvel invented the concept of supernatural powers. Myths, legends and religions have featured these things since the dawn of time.

 

[dahoa]

I don't think anyone has ever suggested that Marvel invented the concept of supernatural powers. Myths, legends and religions have featured these things since the dawn of time.

So perhaps our avid interests in Marvel is because we are somehow subconsciously tapping into the myths, legends, religion etc as some expression or manifestation of the Jungian archetypes?

 

[Ryan_m_b]

So perhaps our avid interests in Marvel is because we are somehow subconsciously tapping into the myths, legends, religion etc as some expression or manifestation of the Jungian archetypes?

We started by talking about a specific film franchise (the MCU) but now you seem to be asking a more general question. The Marvel films are successful for many reasons, simply because they share similarities with mythical stories that humans have told for millennia is not enough to make a successful franchise. Look at the DCEU, the mythical allegory is way more on the nose (frequent references to superman as a god) and they are less successful in terms of critical/audience reviews and revenue.

 

[dahoa]

We started by talking about a specific film franchise (the MCU) but now you seem to be asking a more general question. The Marvel films are successful for many reasons, simply because they share similarities with mythical stories that humans have told for millennia is not enough to make a successful franchise. Look at the DCEU, the mythical allegory is way more on the nose (frequent references to superman as a god) and they are less successful in terms of critical/audience reviews and revenue.

I think the next X-Men movie is about horror stories (of chilldren with awakening powers).. After Avenger Infinity Wars II where Thanos was defeated (at least we know he would be subdued).. i wonder what are next phase... I hope it would be horror stories too... at least to get in touch with deeper reality... Have you read any of John Keel books? We need Marvel stories with enemies that are more powerful and fearsome that we can relate in our lives.

 

[Grinkle]

So perhaps our avid interests in Marvel is because we are somehow subconsciously tapping into the myths, legends, religion etc as some expression or manifestation of the Jungian archetypes?

Goodness how complicated. There is nothing subconscious about it. It is no mystery to me that I enjoy an engaging / immersive portrayal of a world where mythical / legendary / god-like events happen on a regular basis and which events drive well written / well acted human-scale drama that I can relate directly to.

I wasn't exposed to the written human history of myths / legends etc subliminally or in my sleep. I was taught about them explicitly - sometimes I was even tested on my knowledge of them after. A Marvel film doesn't leave me with some vague sense of being reminded about something but I can't remember what. Rather, I am reminded directly of pantheon's of gods or collections of folk hero's that I went into the film with full knowledge of.

To me, you are looking for a deep explanation of something that is obvious on its face.

 

[dahoa]

It's actually easy to defeat Thanos. Just teleport your hands inside his chest and grab his heart or squeeze it.

Has anyone watched the movie "Mothman Prophecy"? It is based on true story. If you will go to Point Pleasant and read any of John Keel books. The details are even deeper (the movie just touch the surface). Hence a more challenging opponent for the Avengers would be the Mothman who can go inside their heads and appear in front (or back) of them while they are bathing and unprotected. When we watch Marvel movies. We were secretly hoping or longing we would have superheroes that can defeat the Mothman and other creatures who were victimizing thousands of helpless victims. This is not disinformation. Just read even one of the books or watch the movie for introduction if you haven't.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

It's actually easy to defeat Thanos. Just teleport your hands inside his chest and grab his heart or squeeze it.

As trite as the teleport meme is (I saw it countless times in the weeks following the films that Dr Strange should have used his portals to cut off the gloves) it goes against the fact that the film very quickly and effectively showed us that Thanos is more powerful and capable of more punishment than anything we’ve seen before. Him fighting the hulk in the first scene and winning isn’t just to look cool. It narratively establishes that an entity we’ve spent several films demonstrating to be nigh-on invulnerable and super strong was quickly and roundly defeated. For the rest of the film everyone that fought Thanos used what made them powerful in other films and, at best, they could only slow him down.

If you’ve taken from the film that there is an easy way to defeat him you haven’t realized what the fights we saw revealed. It’s a credit to the MCU that the pay off from this was so good because we have had ten years off films demonstrating how powerful the good guys are.

Has anyone watched the movie "Mothman Prophecy"? It is based on true story. If you will go to Point Pleasant and read any of John Keel books. The details are even deeper (the movie just touch the surface). Hence a more challenging opponent for the Avengers would be the Mothman who can go inside their heads and appear in front (or back) of them while they are bathing and unprotected. When we watch Marvel movies. We were secretly hoping or longing we would have superheroes that can defeat the Mothman and other creatures who were victimizing thousands of helpless victims. This is not disinformation. Just read even one of the books or watch the movie for introduction if you haven't.

No one is secretly longing for that because all of those things are not real. There were no UFOs, no ghosts or monsters. What people long for watching these movies is the sense of justice and protection they give in a world where injustice is rife.

 

[dahoa]

As trite as the teleport meme is (I saw it countless times in the weeks following the films that Dr Strange should have used his portals to cut off the gloves) it goes against the fact that the film very quickly and effectively showed us that Thanos is more powerful and capable of more punishment than anything we’ve seen before. Him fighting the hulk in the first scene and winning isn’t just to look cool. It narratively establishes that an entity we’ve spent several films demonstrating to be nigh-on invulnerable and super strong was quickly and roundly defeated. For the rest of the film everyone that fought Thanos used what made them powerful in other films and, at best, they could only slow him down.

I haven't thought of this idea about Dr. Strange using portal to cut off the gloves or Thanos heart. Yes. What defense Thanos use against this? How does Marvel explain it? Maybe powerful beings can create spacetime shielding or blockade such that teleporting end of white hole can't form near their bodies?

If you’ve taken from the film that there is an easy way to defeat him you haven’t realized what the fights we saw revealed. It’s a credit to the MCU that the pay off from this was so good because we have had ten years off films demonstrating how powerful the good guys are.
No one is secretly longing for that because all of those things are not real. There were no UFOs, no ghosts or monsters. What people long for watching these movies is the sense of justice and protection they give in a world where injustice is rife.

 

[YoungPhysicist]

The directors have also directly said that Adam Warlock will not feature in the Avengers movie next year but will be reserved for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Warlock in Vol.3?Can't wait when it come out!

 

[Borg]

I really didn't like the end of Infinity War.

 

[YoungPhysicist]

I really didn't like the end of Infinity War.

Please be spoiler free.

 

[Borg]

Please be spoiler free.

I would wrap it in a spoiler if I wrote anything specific about the movie. However, there is at least one unwrapped spoiler in the thread already so be careful what you read.