A Conversation With Elaine & Aaron Vail

Proceed with caution: SPOILERS!

The last 10 years of Marvel movies have been building up to this moment. Avengers: Infinity War began almost precisely where the Marvel Universe left us in Thor: Ragnarok. We were merely spared the horror of the Asgardian refugees’ annihilation and promptly entered the scene as Thor and Loki hopelessly fought with Thanos and his Black Order.

Elaine: I’m not a comic book fan, but I truly love the Marvel movies. So, it would have taken some really serious issues to disappoint me in this movie. I love every character and really enjoy the onscreen chemistry each of the actors has with the others, so I’ve been really excited to see everyone together in one movie (although I can’t wrap my head around what that payroll budget must have been).

Aaron: Having read Marvel comics most of my life, I know the stories well. But I agree, this movie had me way too excited to see it. As challenging as it probably was to have more than 25 main characters in a movie of this scope and make sure all were represented, this story did a fantastic job of giving each star their share of screen time and dialogue.

E: I’m usually pretty easy going with the story lines, but there was one scene early on where the bad guys were permitted to leave and continue their evil bidding while our heroes just watched them walk away, and that was the one time I threw my hands up in the air in disbelief. With that exception, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, taking in every special effect, one-liner and fight scene I possibly could at once.

A: Yeah, I didn’t care for that part, either. I get tired of the same tropes being overused. Like, when good guys give up for no reason.

E: One of my favorite parts was watching Black Widow, Scarlet Witch and Okoye fight one of Thanos’ female assassins. Those three have amazing onscreen chemistry, and I was in awe of their ability to fight so well together despite (or maybe because of) their unique skills sets. By the way, where’s my Black Widow standalone movie?!

A: It’s in the works. I loved how the Hulk was too scared to come out and fight Thanos after the first fight.

E: I think Thanos could arguably be one of the most emotionally complex of the Marvel villains. While I still don’t grasp what’s in it for him to eliminate half the universe besides satisfying his God-complex, there really seemed to be more to this character than we have been privy to see in most of the other villains.

A: YES! Not your typical “kill everyone just because I’m a jerk” character arc. While I might not agree with his mission or methods, I certainly felt his emotions as he struggled with the decisions he felt he had to make. Watching him struggle with choice and consequence brought “the bad guy” to a level we can almost relate to. Having the antagonist’s drive be more than the typical “I just want power over others” was a smart move, providing depth that allowed this movie to rise above the rest.

E: Almost as if to mirror Thanos’ mission to bring balance to the universe, the Russo Brothers (the directors) accomplished the perfect balance of humor with some serious fighting and intense conflict with the characters. I found myself laughing hysterically just as often as I was gasping and jumping in my seat.

Everyone needs to know beforehand that this movie is one of two parts, and it ends rather abruptly. And the final scenes were a lot to take in. I am one of those weird people who has to know before going in who dies so that I don’t have a breakdown in the theater. I easily found a list online of which heroes die in the movie. I do believe a full-blown breakdown was averted, but Tom Holland still brought me to my knees in tears. The theater was nearly silent as the movie ended. All that could be heard was the soft sobbing of a few of the children in the theater who had just witnessed their favorite heroes being wiped out. And THAT (not the movie) is what made Aaron cry.

A: Yes, I cried, and thank you for not sharing the list with me. I love to watch the story unfold without any foreknowledge. I was not disappointed with the ending. But those poor little kids crying really hit me.

E: Given the already scheduled movie sequels starring some of our recently deceased characters plus the fact that we’re dealing with a soul stone and a stone that can turn back time, clearly at least a few of the heroes we now grieve will somehow return to save the universe in Avengers 4.

A: Yeah, Disney isn’t going to let this profit machine die out. And the fans will want to see most of them again. I know I will.

We’re always surprised how many people leave the theatre at the end of the Marvel movies.  Doesn’t everyone know that there is ALWAYS at least one extra scene after the credits giving us clues for the next movie? This one hints to a new character joining the cast. But we will have to wait until May 3, 2019, to see the resolution of this heart-wrenching story.

**Avengers: Infinity War has crushed all box office records. The film opened with an estimated $630 million worldwide.**