Things I appreciate more about Endgame the second time watching it
Steve and Tony’s reconciliation really plays out over the course of three main conversations, the first one resentful and bitter, the second frustrated and distant, and the third accepting and forgiving. They choose to move forward and trust each other again, and that coming together happens organically and slowly enough that it feels earned.
At first I was shocked by Thor’s turn in the story and thought the movie treated him too much like a joke. But during the second watch, I actually didn’t mind what they did with his character (until the end I still don’t like his ending in this movie). Even though his weight gain is still framed humorously often, I do like that the narrative gives attention to the very real trauma he experienced and Chris clearly approaches the performance with those layers. He always seems on the precipice of tears, and you realize the humor is a shield for the pain he’s still feeling and that he truly hasn’t been able to process his sense of loss and failure well. I love that he gets to reconnect with his mom, I adore how compassionate the rest of the Avengers are towards him—like they get frustrated sure, but they’re also really understanding of the fact that he’s not in a good place right now. I love especially how gentle Bruce is with him, and it brings their dynamic in Ragnarok full circle. The ending still bothers me because it undoes a lot of his growth in Ragnarok, but I appreciate that Thor really had a significant character arc over two movies.
I love Natasha in this movie, her vulnerability, her desire to protect her family and make the world better—whatever it takes. She’s the last one to speak the last time all the Avengers are together, and she locks eyes with Steve a final time, and in hindsight that’s just so heartbreakingly beautiful like…
Natasha’s friendships in this movie. I adore her friendship with Steve and how their camaraderie and trust has deepened ever since Winter Soldier. They ground each other and understand each other, a parallel to how Nat and Clint, with all their history and the faith they put in each other, also get each other. There are some wonderful interactions between these characters that reflect the strength of those friendships. It also reinforces that Nat’s sacrifice was not in vain, nor was it fridging—it was for her family.
I love Scott Lang and his earnestness in which he approaches everyone and everything.
I love Nebula’s character arc and how it pays off in this beautiful solidarity with the other Gamora as they take down the man who abused both of them.
I love that Brody and Nebula bond over their disabilities and become friends.
I love Rocket taking getting his family back so seriously.
I love Tony as a dad with juice pops and swear words and “love you three thousand”
I love the freakin’ Hydra elevator scene and the SMIRK Steve walks off with—wow what a change from Avengers 1
I love Rocket and Hulk’s indie road trip to New Asgard
I love how soft and sweet Scott is with grown up Cassie
I love that Thor doesn’t magically lose the weight but gets to be badass at the end and knows he’s still worthy
I love that Tony gets to find healing in talking to his dad one more time
I love how Scott watches the birds outside and knows then that the snap worked.
I love how Clint grieves what he’s become but Nat makes a different call—just like what he did for her long ago.
I love that Cap fought with Mjolner and Thor always knew he could.
I love the Big Three marching up to Thanos ready to fight till the end
I love that Steve hears Sam’s voice and just knows the armada is on the way
I love that the Infinity Gauntlet is passed from Clint, a member of the original Avenger team, to T’Challa, a new member, to Peter Parker, their youngest member
I love that Carol kicks Thanos’ ass but also isn’t the one to finish him because…
It’s Tony with the perfect bookend line who finishes it and is allowed to rest and I cried again in the theater
I love that we saw Nick Fury right in the back of Tony’s funeral, the very person who first told Tony about the Avengers initiative
I love that Sam and Steve have become like brothers and it’s Sam who Steve entrusts his shield and legacy to
I love that one prominent theme is Steve learning to move on but on his terms. He gets to love. He gets to live. He gets to rest—at last.
I love the credits and how they serve as a perfect swan song for our original Avengers
I love that Tony making his Iron Man suit is the last sound we hear