**Warning Spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War Below**
It’s about time for spoilers. If you haven’t seen the movie this weekend (and why not? It’s been out for a couple of days now!) and don’t want to be spoiled with a major plot detail, turn back now. See the movie, come back and hit us up and we’ll have a discussion.
For everyone else, let’s get into it.
Ever since the dawn of time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there has been a tradition. Audience members stay until after the credits end. We’re treated with scenes that tease us for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and sometimes we get trolled with disappointment and mocked for it (Spider-Man: Homecoming, I’m talking to you).
And just as it began with Nick Fury at the end of Iron Man back in 2008- this film ends with Fury showing up again. At the end of the first MCU film, Fury is shrouded by the shadows, staring at the night sky. This post credit scene has him driving through traffic in the light of day. A perfect bookend to a 10-year run for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, to open up the post-credit scene with the guy that started it all. But in this scene, he is not alone, he is driving around with Maria Hill, talking about some top secret stuff.
Suddenly, a random vehicle starts skidding in front of them and crashes. Fury and Hill get out and try to assess the situation.
The Snap
Thanos wins. He eliminates half of life in all the universe. Let’s just consider all the “life” on Earth. Does this include plants? Livestock? Insects? Ocean life? From all of this, we can say there will be unintended ramifications to Thanos’ actions. We can also safely say it’ll cause more than just half of life being eliminated.
We’re realizing that the effects of the snap are more than just half the population of the earth disappearing. We also have to think about surgical procedures happening and the doctor just vanishing, hospital staff disappearing, traffic controllers, emergency responders, etc. Folks responsible for safeguarding the population suddenly get whisked away. This would have some devastating effects on our infrastructure. Then think about mothers giving birth, watching their babies falling to dust in their arms. Or parents are out with their kids, and a father watches his wife and all his children fade away. Mental anguish is also a factor, and there’d probably be a lot of suicides.
There is a tidbit of this unfolding on the streets with Nick Fury. Cars are losing drivers and causing massive pileups. Helicopters are losing pilots and spiraling out of control into crowds and exploding. Realizing it’s an emergency situation, he sees Maria Hill disappearing. He pulls something out from his jacket and begins to realize that he too is falling into ashes. Fury manages to get a small bit of “Mother f—” before his face de-materializes.
The camera pans to his arm slowly fading away, and the device drops to the street. We see the device is actually a highly modified 90’s era pager, and it’s sending a message. A little logo appears with an LED display in blue, red and yellow appears, confirming the page was sent.
The symbol of Captain Marvel is on full display, in traditional colors.
The Other Captain
Comic book nerds were treated earlier in the year to Brie Larson in a green version of the Captain Marvel suit. The nerd community was vocal in their disapproval to the costume design. Yet, at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, the entire audience seems to know what’s coming around the corner with that pager scene. With more than half of the roster of superheroes now dead, a B-Team of heroes now has to step up against the Mad Titan.
Kevin Feige spoke in interviews about Carol Danvers, a.k.a. Captain Marvel, being the most powerful being in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. How appropriate that Danvers comes to the aide of Earth to face off against another powerful creature, Thanos. Having said that, we see the stones melt the Infinity Gauntlet, and whatever power it has left Thanos uses to teleport away from Wakanda. Perhaps he isn’t as powerful now with the Infinity Gauntlet fried.
Setting up for the Next Film
Along with waiting for the post-credit scene, audience members were waiting for the title of the next Avengers film. Traditionally, the text that appears shows the audience “The Avengers Will Return in …”, insert the title for whatever other film is slated for release later this year or next. Alas, it is not the case this time.
This time, we get no title for the next film. We don’t even get any mention of the Avengers. The only text we see is
“Thanos will Return.”
After putting an audience in tears, Marvel decides to let us wallow in it. Well done, Marvel. Well done.
Did we miss anything? Is there anything to talk about in depth that we need to dive into? Sound off in the comments below! Avengers: Infinity War is out in theaters now, and I’ll definitely be seeing it again to spot anything I’ve missed.