10 Ways ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Aged Poorly (& 10 Ways It Aged Masterfully)

‘Avengers: Endgame’ hit theaters with a bang, wrapping up over a decade of Marvel storytelling with epic battles and emotional farewells. It was a cultural juggernaut, breaking box office records and uniting fans in theaters worldwide. 

But five years on, some elements that thrilled audiences in 2019 now feel off or haven’t held up as well as expected. On the other hand, years after its release, “Avengers: Endgame” is still a topic of praise. The film’s ability to provide a satisfying conclusion to such a long-running series is a rare achievement. Its emotional depth, character development, and grand scale continue to be praised.

Here are ten ways ‘Avengers: Endgame’ has aged poorly, and 10 ways it aged masterfully.

Bad: Time Travel Plot Holes

The time heist in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ was a bold way to bring back lost heroes, but the rules of time travel feel messy. The film’s explanation of branching timelines clashes with moments like Captain America’s ending, where he lives in the past without clear consequences.

This inconsistency bugs me more now, as tighter sci-fi stories like ‘Loki’ have clarified Marvel’s multiverse rules. What felt clever in 2019 now seems like a convenient plot device that raises more questions than it answers.

Bad: Overreliance on CGI Spectacle

The massive final battle against Thanos is visually stunning, but the heavy CGI feels dated compared to newer blockbusters. Films like ‘Dune: Part Two’ blend practical effects with digital polish, making ‘Endgame’s’ all-digital armies look less grounded.

Rewatching the film, the CGI feels more like a video game cutscene than a lived-in world. The spectacle still wows, but it lacks the tactile grit that modern audiences crave.

Bad: Thor’s Character Shift

Thor’s arc in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ sees him grappling with failure, but his portrayal as a slovenly, comedic figure feels off now. The humor undercuts his emotional weight, especially when compared to the nuanced grief in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’.

I wanted more depth for Thor’s struggle, but the constant jokes about his weight and drinking make it hard to take his journey seriously. It’s a tonal misstep that feels jarring today.

Bad: Black Widow’s Sacrifice

Natasha Romanoff’s death on Vormir is meant to be a noble sacrifice, but it feels hollow in hindsight. Her arc in ‘Black Widow’ gave her more depth, making her abrupt end in ‘Endgame’ seem like a rushed way to tie up loose ends.

I think her death deserved more buildup or impact, especially since the film barely pauses to mourn her. It’s a choice that feels less justified as her character’s legacy grows.

Bad: Captain America’s Ending

Steve Rogers passing the shield to Sam Wilson is a great moment, but his choice to stay in the past with Peggy Carter feels off now. It sidelines his growth as a man out of time and raises questions about his inaction during historical crises.

With ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ exploring Sam’s role, Steve’s exit seems like a step back from his arc. I wish the film had leaned into his present-day legacy instead.

Bad: Dated Pop Culture References

‘Endgame’ leans heavily on pop culture, with references to ‘Back to the Future’ and Fortnite. These felt fresh in 2019 but already seem like relics of a specific moment, pulling me out of the story.

Newer Marvel projects like ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ use timeless humor that ages better. The dated quips make ‘Endgame’ feel more like a time capsule than a timeless epic.

Bad: Pacing Issues in the First Half

The first hour of ‘Endgame’ drags as the team processes their loss and plans the time heist. While the emotional beats hit hard, the slow pace feels clunky compared to tighter blockbusters like ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’.

I find myself wanting to skip to the action, as the setup lacks the energy of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018). It’s a structural flaw that’s more noticeable on rewatch.

Bad: Female Hero Moment Feels Forced

The scene where the female heroes rally around Captain Marvel is a crowd-pleaser, but it feels contrived now. It’s a brief, isolated moment that doesn’t reflect deeper character integration, especially when compared to ‘The Marvels’.

I appreciate the intent, but the execution feels like a checkbox rather than a natural beat. A more organic team-up would have had more lasting impact.

Bad: Thanos’ Reduced Presence

Thanos was a towering villain in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, but in ‘Endgame’, his younger self feels like a generic warlord. His motivations are less compelling, and his defeat lacks the emotional weight of the first film.

Looking back, I wanted more of the complex Thanos from ‘Infinity War’. The shift to a simpler antagonist makes the stakes feel lower, even in the grand finale.

Bad: Fan Service Over Story

‘Endgame’ thrives on fan-pleasing moments like portals opening or Tony’s final snap, but the heavy focus on callbacks overshadows the story. Newer Marvel projects like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’ balance fan service with fresh narratives better.

I love the big moments, but they sometimes feel like pandering at the expense of depth. The film’s reliance on nostalgia makes it less rewatchable as time passes.

What’s your take on ‘Avengers: Endgame’ today, and which moments do you think hold up or fall flat? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

Good: A Satisfying Conclusion to a Decade of Storytelling

“Avengers: Endgame” succeeded in bringing together story threads from 21 previous films. The moviemakers carefully crafted a narrative that honored what came before it. This long-term planning resulted in a finale that felt earned and complete. For those who had followed the journey from the beginning, the film was a rewarding experience.

The film serves as a masterclass in serialized storytelling. It showed the power of building a connected universe over many years. Each previous movie contributed to the weight and impact of “Endgame,” making the final chapter feel like a true culmination. This achievement set a new standard for blockbuster filmmaking.

Good: Character Arcs Reach Their Full Potential

The original six Avengers experience significant growth in this film. Tony Stark, once a selfish billionaire, makes the ultimate sacrifice for the universe. Captain America, a man always willing to fight for others, finally chooses a life for himself. These character journeys come to a satisfying and logical end.

Thor and Hulk also have transformative arcs. Thor confronts his failures and finds a new purpose, while Bruce Banner finally finds balance between his two identities. The film gives these characters the space to evolve, making their stories more meaningful. Black Widow and Hawkeye also have poignant moments that complete their journeys.

Good: The Emotional Weight Still Resonates

The film doesn’t shy away from the emotional toll of the events of “Avengers: Infinity War.” The first act is dedicated to exploring the grief and loss felt by the surviving heroes. This focus on emotion grounds the high-stakes plot in something real and relatable.

The quiet, character-driven moments are just as powerful as the big action sequences. Seeing the heroes cope with their defeat makes their eventual triumph all the more impactful. The film’s ability to balance heartbreak with hope is one of its greatest strengths.

Good: A Well-Structured Three-Hour Epic

Despite its three-hour runtime, “Avengers: Endgame” maintains a steady pace. The story is clearly divided into three distinct acts, which helps to keep the narrative focused. This structure prevents the film from feeling bloated or slow.

The first act deals with the aftermath of the snap, the second act is a thrilling “time heist,” and the third act is the final, epic battle. Each part of the film has a clear purpose and moves the story forward effectively. This tight plotting makes the long runtime feel justified.

Good: The “Time Heist” Was a Stroke of Genius

The concept of the “time heist” allowed the film to revisit key moments from past MCU movies. This was not just a fun trip down memory lane; it also added new layers to those earlier films. It was a clever way to celebrate the history of the franchise.

Seeing familiar scenes from a new perspective was a treat for long-time fans. It also allowed for moments of closure and reflection for the characters. For example, Tony Stark gets to have a final conversation with his father, and Thor gets advice from his mother.

Good: The Final Battle Is Still a Spectacle

The climactic battle in “Avengers: Endgame” is one of the most ambitious and memorable action sequences in cinema history. The moment when all the fallen heroes return to join the fight is a powerful and cheer-worthy scene. It’s a visual representation of everything the franchise had been building towards.

The scale of the battle is immense, but it never loses sight of the individual characters. Every hero gets a moment to shine, from Captain America finally wielding Mjolnir to the all-female hero team-up. The action is both visually stunning and emotionally resonant.

Good: A Cultural Phenomenon That Brought People Together

The release of “Avengers: Endgame” was a global cinematic event. Audiences flocked to theaters to be part of the experience, sharing in the cheers, gasps, and tears. This sense of community was a huge part of what made the film so special.

It was a shared experience that transcended cultural boundaries. People from all over the world came together to celebrate the end of an era. This communal aspect is something that will be remembered for years to come.

Good: The Visual Effects Hold Up

The visual effects in “Avengers: Endgame” were groundbreaking for their time and still look impressive today. From the detailed character animations of Thanos and the Hulk to the epic-scale battles, the CGI is seamless. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, a testament to its technical achievement.

The creation of “Fat Thor” and the de-aging of characters for the time travel sequences were particularly noteworthy. The high quality of the visual effects helps to immerse the audience in the world of the film and makes the fantasy elements feel real.

Good: Alan Silvestri’s Iconic Score

The musical score by Alan Silvestri plays a crucial role in the film’s emotional impact. The main Avengers theme is used to great effect, swelling at key moments to create a sense of heroism and triumph. The score also introduces new themes that are both beautiful and heartbreaking.

Silvestri’s music helps to tie the entire Infinity Saga together, as he also scored “The Avengers” and “Avengers: Infinity War.” The score of “Endgame” is an essential part of its identity and a major reason why so many moments are so memorable.

Good: A Lasting Impact on the Superhero Genre

“Avengers: Endgame” raised the bar for what a superhero movie could be. It showed that these films could be both massive blockbusters and emotionally complex stories. The film’s success has had a lasting influence on the genre and the film industry as a whole.

It demonstrated the potential of long-form, serialized storytelling in cinema. The careful planning and interconnected narrative of the MCU culminated in a film that was both a satisfying conclusion and a new beginning. Its legacy continues to shape the future of superhero films.