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The culmination of a decade of film, Infinity War has spent years shrouded in mystery; the movie has been highly anticipated since we were first introduced to the Infinity Stones, and the Mad Titan Thanos, six years ago.
Fans of Marvel Comics will have known, from the get-go, of the power that the Infinity Stones (or, Infinity Gems, as they’re referred to in the comics) hold, and of the indescribably immense power that Thanos possesses when he has collected all six.
For those who haven’t indulged in the comics, however, the point has been made painstakingly clear over the last fourteen – yep, fourteen – Marvel movies; it’s safe to say that everyone walked into that cinema with an understanding of the scale of the threat that our favourite superheroes would be dealing with.
What no one knew until a few days ago, though, was just how the events would unfold. No one knew how the storylines of characters from across the Marvel universe would be sewn together for Infinity War.
No one knew whether our heroes would indeed come out on top.
Crazy measures were taken by the movie’s production team to ensure that the story retained its secrecy until its premiere – everything from writing fake scripts to telling the cast members nothing more than what they absolutely needed to know.
That’s why it came as a shock to fans when, alongside the directors’ #ThanosDemandsYourSilence announcement, came the news that the cast would be heading to locations around the world to screen a specially-selected 30 minutes of footage.
I was one of the lucky fans to be invited to the London fan event on April 8th (hosted at the London Television Centre) and I couldn’t have been happier. It was a wonderful experience, to get to see a part of the movie I’d spent years theorising about, alongside some of the talented people who have done an incredible job of bringing to life some of my favourite characters. The 30 minutes of footage didn’t ease my excitement in the slightest, but, rather, left me – and the rest of the audience – in a constant state of overwhelming anticipation during the weeks that followed.
As well as directors Anthony and Joseph Russo, at the event were Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Tom Holland (Spider-Man), Letitia Wright (Shuri), Paul Bettany (Vision), and Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch).
The cast were interviewed, and engaged in some superhero-themed games with the event attendees.
At the end of the event, the fans, myself included, were given tickets to the movie’s early UK screening, in Leicester Square on the 24th. Also in attendance of the screening were celebs and influencers such as Seán McLoughlin, Conor Maynard, Mikey Pearce, and Connie Glynn.
At the entrance we were made to seal our phones in shiny bags, and were supplied with #ThanosDemandsYourSilence badges. The message, along with Thanos’ violently purple face, was also displayed on the screen as we filtered into the cinema to take our seats, and waited for Infinity War to begin.
The movie elicited periods of laughter, tears, audible shock, and a few “I knew it!”s from the audience, and I think it’s safe to say that it lived up to all of our expectations.
Viewers left the room buzzing with excitement, or in a state of silent shock, or typing vehemently into their phones so they'd be ready to post their review as soon as the press embargo lifted about an hour later.
The movie provided familiarity, but also a sense of uncertainty, for the viewers.
The familiar themes were there, yes; this did feel like an Avengers movie. But it also provided growth – for our characters, for their relationships, and for the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a whole.
We were left with a dark cliff-hanger, but the post-credits scene left us with hope – hope, and a renewed eagerness to watch Captain Marvel (Kevin Feige, you clever boy).
In terms of quality, Infinity War delivered. In terms of quantity? Perhaps not. But it’s the movie we all wanted it to be, and that’s why it’s currently topped Star Wars: The Force Awakens for highest grossing Box Office weekend.
Well – it’s that as well as their clever marketing (of which the London fan event was a prime example).
Having Tom Holland ‘accidentally’ leak spoilers? We see you, Marvel Studios.
#ThanosDemandsYourSilence? More like ‘watch this movie as soon as it’s released or it’ll be spoiled for you!’
In August, the next instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will hit cinemas: Ant Man and the Wasp, and fans - myself included - anxiously anticipate its arrival.