*AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR SPOILERS AHEAD*

Millions of people lined up at movie theatres on March 27 to see the new Marvel movie, Avengers: Infinity War. However, none of those people had any idea what they were in store for.

The definition of an emotional rollercoaster, this was the third installment of the Avengers series, following a plethora of characters including the original team of six, the intergalactic Guardians of the Galaxy, newcomers like Scarlett Witch and Vision, and fan-favorites Doctor Strange and Spider-Man. All thirty-something of these heroes teamed up against the menacing Thanos, a superbeing from the planet Titan with a plan for destruction in the name of peace. Going into the movie, many wondered how on Earth – or any other planet – a crew of the most powerful creatures in the universe could be defeated by one Titan. The answer to this curiosity is this: the Infinity Stones. Representing the Soul, the Mind, Space, Time, Power, and Reality, these six gems collectively hold all the powerful elements of the universe. Combined, they can be vitally restorative – or completely lethal. Thanos, seeing the desolation that most planets live in, knows the world’s resources can’t provide for the massive universal population anymore. His answer? Wipe out half the population. He travels from planet to planet, massacring 50% of all the inhabitants by brute force and violence. He regrets this lack of order, and he plans to get hold of all six Infinity Stones. When he does, he will have the power to painlessly get rid of half the universe’s population with a simple snap of his fingers. What Marvel fanatics weren’t expecting was the ending of the movie: Thanos wins. Twenty-five of Marvel’s most beloved characters dissipate at the hand of Thanos, leaving only Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov, Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, and Thor, alone and more helpless than ever.

From incredible graphics to astonishingly realistic special effects makeup, the production value of this movie was wholly impressive. Thanos, Mantis, the Hulk, Gamora, and Drax are just a few of the non-human characters in this film, each of them with otherworldly characteristics, and the movie weaves makeup effects with digital remastering to create a seamless blend of human and alien. Another notable point to the galactic visuals is the humanity that the actors bring to each character. To be able to act past green skin, antennae, or eccentric facial prosthetics and successfully connect the audience to even the strangest looking character is an impressive feat and one that this cast pulls off. Many praised this movie for presenting what they believed to be Marvel’s most believable and human villain. Thanos experiences sacrifice, love, loss, pain, and joy, and throughout his most manipulative and cruel schemes, the audience can still feel an emotional connection to his motives and story. To be able to develop every character, even the antagonist, so fully was a happy surprise, and especially with such an extensive cast.

The movie makers tied the movie together with the unforgettable Marvel style, quick wit, heart-wrenching scenes, and a shocking twist. Though you may leave the theatre dazed and emotionally exhausted with your jaw on the floor, it’s worth it for the humanity, moral, impressive effects, and stunning visuals.