"Dread it, run from it, destiny arrives all the same." -Thanos, Avengers: Infinity War
"We're in the endgame now." -Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War
I don't know about you guys, but I've been trying to mentally prepare for this movie for the last year... maybe the last 10 years. It's endgame week and... I'm still not ready. This is the end of a saga that began in 2008 with Iron Man and ends after 10+ years of build up. With 21 movies of backstory and rich plot lines that all intertwine, it's a bit much to binge watch before we all go to the theater this weekend to see it's climatic end. That's why I've decided to be a bit ambitious and suggest only five movies you need to see before walking into Avengers: Endgame this weekend (or whenever you plan on seeing it).
For this list, we're looking at movies that include, or introduce, the infinity stones into the cinematic universe. These movies explain the power of the stones, how they work for each respective user, and, if one person were to possess all of them, how dangerous these stones are. So without further ado, here's your top 5 movies to watch before Avengers: Endgame.
1. The Avengers (2012)
The Tesseract (Space Stone)
The first Avengers movie is a MUST on any Marvel watch list, if only because it's the first time we see the Avengers assemble and how it changed cinematic history forever. But, it's on this list for a different and arguably more important reason: the space stone and the introduction of the mind stone (We'll get to that a bit later). We are first introduced to the space stone in Captain America: First Avenger, but we don't get to really see it shine until The Avengers.
In this film, the space stone is wielded by Loki to lead an attack on Earth. We also get our first peek at the mind stone in Loki's Scepter, used to control the minds of different humans to further his plans. This mind stone gives power to it's user to control those around them, while the space stone opens portals to space. The space stone and mind stone later end up in the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D for protection and moves around a bit throughout the movies. This film is also our first real introduction into the groundwork that was being laid to lead to the events in Infinity War and the "battle of New York" is often referenced.
2. Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Aether (Reality Stone)
Okay, to be honest, this is probably no ones favorite Marvel movie and can be quite boring at times, but hear me out on this one. It introduces us to a stone that plays a pretty crucial role in Infinity War and gives even more backstory into the infinity stone background.
The Reality stone can bend the reality around it's user and in its original form, the Aether can change the actual fabrics of reality. In this film, the Dark Elves plan to use it to create an eternal darkness in the 9 realms. By the end of the film, it ends up in the hands of the "Collector" for safe keeping, who we get to meet in...
3. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Orb (Power Stone)
Seriously, do all these stones just destroy things? Well, kind of.
In my personal favorite Marvel movie, we are introduced to the band of misfits that is the Guardians of the Galaxy and the power stone. The power stone is literally used to destroy worlds with one touch to the surface.
This is the first film where the infinity stones are really explained and the viewer starts to understand the underlining plot line of the Marvel cinematic universe. We also get to see Thanos in his full glory for the first time, instead of just peaks. In this film, he plays a bigger role in setting parts of the plot in motion, while also laying the ground-work for his quest for the infinity stones.
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
Vision (Mind Stone)
This is the second time we see the mind stone, except this time it is in one of the Avengers, Vision. Vision is a created being by Ultron, who was created by Bruce Banner and Tony Stark... yeah, it's a tad complicated. This stone is especially tricky, because it is the literal brain and life-force for Vision. This stone represents knowledge and tricking the mind, kind of like the reality stone.
This film is also a must watch because we get the first name drop of endgame! Three whole years before the title is released.
ALSO also, we see the beginnings of some tension between Tony Stark and Steve Rodgers, as well as Steve basically predict the end of Avengers: Infinity War. Now that is some seriously well done foreshadowing Marvel... well played.
5. Doctor Strange (2016)
Eye of Agamotto (Time Stone)
Rounding out our list is the Eye of Agamotto that holds the time stone. This stone gives it's users the ability to control time and seems to be one of the only stones who's direct use isn't to destroy the universe.
Doctor Strange himself is the last one to use it and we see him flex that power in this film as well as in Infinity War. This is my Top 5 list, but to be honest, there's just one more movie you should watch before Endgame, and that is...
BONUS: Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Soul Stone and Thano's Infinity Gauntlet
For obvious reasons, you really should watch Infinity War before Endgame to have a refresher on what to expect out of its direct sequel. This film introduces the final infinity stone, the soul stone, and raises the stakes for the infinity stones story line. The soul stone demands a sacrifice of the thing the user loves most in order to posses it and Thanos makes the ultimate sacrifice for power.
We haven't quite seen the full capabilities of the soul stone, but we should expect to see more this Friday when Avengers: Endgame lands in theaters.
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