Photo credit: Marvel Studios.
It's been several years since Avengers: Endgame graced our presence and concluded the decade-long Infinity Saga. As the audience explores the next phase, the Multiverse Saga, they have continued to anticipate a fifth Avengers installment despite the mixed quality of the MCU. As the Avengers draw nearer to Doomsday, the focus has shifted to Fantastic Four for Dr. Doom. With Doomsday set for December, Marvel Studios decided to send the audience back to a time when Endgame ruled with the release of Avengers: Endgame: Encore. The Taylor Swiftification of the film had been designed to set up the newest Avengers film!
In terms of the new footage in Avengers Endgame: Encore, it's not much to write home about, let alone worth the price of admission. One scene picks up immediately after the original end of Endgame, and the difference in the actors is so jarring as to be laughable. The mid-credits scene is more substantive, and operates as a direct connection between the MCU's latest entry and Doomsday, while the post-credits scene included on standard format showings is miniscule and barely worth waiting until the end of the film. If you’re reading this and trying to avoid more specific spoilers, this is your warning to exit the tab.
For those who need a refresh, Avengers: Endgame concludes with Tony Stark’s funeral and Steve Rogers’ decision to go back in time to be with the woman he loved, Peggy Carter. The encore extends beyond what audiences will remember.
There's a glimpse of Rogers and Peggy Carter, dancing in their living room, then the sound of knocks falling on the door interrupts the tranquil moment. As Carter opens the door, a familiar voice is heard, Loki then steps into the frame. The scene was very jarring and very out of place due to them being filmed several years apart and eagle-eyed members of the audience can tell it was slightly off because of de-aging technology used on all the characters involved.
We also see Bruce Banner in the aftermath of the events of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, through video footage he took in confinement. Banner speaks briefly before a shadowy figure appears off-screen, scaring him, and before taking him away, leaving only a glowing green sigil.
Another scene that appeared in the IMAX exclusive screenings took place inside the headquarters of the Time Variance Authority from the Loki series, showing the multiverse collapsing. Excluding the TVA scene from standard formats was not a good move from Disney because most theaters do not have a PLF screen. All screenings, regardless of format, should be treated fair for the audience invested and interested in the franchise and the film.
The film concludes with a post-credit scene featuring the familiar sound of clanking metal, teased at the end of the 2019 original film, calling back to Iron Man. This time, it is revealed that the sound is Doctor Doom creating his own mask. A very cool visual!
Despite the minor controversy, it was fun seeing Avengers: Endgame. While it may have been more adding to the growing hype for Avengers: Doomsday, it was still a great time watching the original team consisting of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye in theatres again and the film holds up well! A great time at the movies.