Avengers: Endgame

The epic climax to a tale over a decade in the making and across 21 blockbuster films sees the surviving Avengers in turmoil following the cosmos-shattering conclusion to 2018's Infinity War. How our shellshocked heroes recover and assemble to correct the cataclysmic schemes of Thanos (Josh Brolin) offers unexpectedly dramatic and emotional twists. A spectacular and audacious time heist is devised to return founding Avengers (Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor) and their allies to key events in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to achieve redemption. The cast, headed by franchise pioneer Robert Downey Jr, do their best work here, but special mention should go to Chris Hemsworth, who gives a consummate comic performance as a thunder god who's lost his mojo in a big way. Co-directors the Russo brothers marshal the drama, humour and action perfectly, culminating in a rousing Lord of the Rings-scale battle that delivers both cheers and tears. It's a satisfying finale to the Infinity Gems saga that honours the characters and their histories while leaving the MCU fit for purpose for the future.