'AVENGERS: ENDGAME' SHOWS US THE MEANING OF SACRIFICE.

After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.

Release date: April 26, 2019
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios
Directors: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language
Screenwriters: Stephen McFeely, Christopher Markus
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scalett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Chadwick Boseman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sebastian Stan, Katherine Langford
Genre: action, adventure

“I watch the sun set on a grateful universe.”

This is what Thanos speculates when he reveals his ultimate plan in Avengers: Infinity War. His steadfast belief that his efforts are for the greater good makes him completely close minded to the devastation left in his wake. Even his “favorite daughter” despises him for the grief and pain he causes in her life. Instead, what he sees is a thriving world and a fierce warrior. All he can see is the supposed good he can bring an over-populated universe. In his mind, the only to fix that is to commit mass genocide: half of all living creatures in the universe.

That kind of bloodshed is nearly impossible to comprehend, except for the survivors. Five years after the Snap, Earth is left in ruin. Trash and cars litter the streets, buildings and homes are left unattended, and crime runs rampant. It is a scene out of an apocalypse film. However, none of it compares to the spiritual and emotional devastation that Thanos leaves behind. Plagued with grief, the survivors lose their momentum in life. They lose struggle to carry on in their lives, while others want revenge. Others cling to the hope that the snap can be undone.

That last thing they feel is gratitude.

Avengers: Endgame addresses this in a beautiful way. It is the beating heart of the film.

Simply put: Thanos, the Mad Titan, is WRONG.

Yet the impossible happens. Not only do the remaining Avengers have the chance to undo the damage caused by the Snap, but also Thanos is granted the opportunity to see the true results of his work. He sees that humanity (and the rest of the universe) has no interest in physically thriving, and they would rather perish than lose their people.

Does he see reason? Does he repent? Does he lay down his arms? No. He instead doubles down and resolves to murder ALL life. Thus, the stakes become higher than ever. This is the most revealing difference between good and evil. Heroes and villains. Light and dark.

Evil seeks to destroy while good seeks to save. At any and all costs. Good would lay down and die to save. The Avengers would lay down their lives to save everyone else. This is their most valuable weapon against evil. Thanos could never go that far. He would throw his “favorite daughter” off of a cliff, but would he jump? He would suffer severe injuries, destroy his weapons and hide of a farm. Would he die? This is how good wins. Through love. Sacrificial love.

Our reality does not afford us the Avengers. We do not have Captain Marvel, Iron Man, wizards, or the god of thunder. We have instead Jesus Christ who died to save our souls. The son of God and the son of man just as willing laid down his precious, miraculous life for us, the people he loves. ALL of us.

Avenger’s Endgame is the most powerful film I’ve seen in my ten-year reviewing career, because of how well it illustrates love, loss, and hope. Praise God.