The long-awaited and highly anticipated “Avengers: Infinity War” made its premiere on Friday as Marvel’s longest movie to date, clocking in at 160 minutes. With the cumulation of 18 Marvel films throughout the past decade and 76 characters, directors Joe and Anthony Russo had a huge weight on their shoulders in successfully integrating multiple storylines to create the most epic war in Marvel movie history. The film continues where earlier movies left off  with Thanos, who in the comics is a member of the Eternals, a race of genetically engineered superhumans, continuing his quest for the Infinity Stones. Thanos is incredibly intelligent, extremely powerful and obsessed with the genocide of half of every living being. With the help of his evil sidekicks, The Black Order, his goal is to reach all six Stones that come with their own powers.

`The first stone, as seen in “Captain America: The First Avenger,” can open up portals throughout the universe. The next stone is the Mind Stone, that powers Loki’s staff in “The Avengers.” It has the ability to hypnotize and manipulate its victims. The Power Stone appeared in “Guardians of the Galaxy” and can waste entire planets. The Time Stone showed up in Dr. Strange, and it gives the ability to reverse time and create time loops. Then there is the Reality Stone, which can be used to alter the nature of reality itself. The Soul Stone can give Thanos the ability to control all living souls and resurrect the deceased, in the comics, at least.

With the Avengers splitting up after the events of “Civil War,” they must put personal differences aside to prevent Thanos from attaining these powerful stones. The Guardians of the Galaxy, who have the same goal, unite with the Avengers. Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow, Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson and War Machine join forces with Gamora, Drax the Destroyer, Okoye, Mantis, Star Lord, Thor, Rocket Raccoon, Dr. Strange, Groot, Star Lord, Vision, Spider-Man, Black Panther and Thor in their efforts to destroy the powerful Thanos.

With so many heroes in this movie, the Russo brothers separated characters into groups where they were able to maximize the humor of the interactions, giving the movie the punches of humor Marvel is known for. The action sequences in “Infinity War” are outstanding, staying true to the panels of the comic books and creating inspiration for the filmmakers. The special effects were impressive with little to no flaws, and the Russo brother packed every scene with action and dialogue leaving the viewer at the edge of their seat.

Some critiques are some characters acting unexpectedly, due to so few writers and so many dynamics between characters. The movie brings together all the individual plots that previous movies built, leading up to this cinematic epic journey to save the universe. The film will shock and satisfy Marvel fans with each action-packed scene leading into the next, until the grand not-so-finale, leaving fans ready for the next part in the journey of the superheroes and villains.