Explaining The Ending Of Avengers: Endgame

We need to talk about Avengers: Endgame.

The Marvel event film is about to make its mark on the global box office (spoilers: it’s already off to a flyer), with analysts predicting a total cume in excess of $2 billion. Suffice it to say, Endgame will reign over the box office charts for weeks to come, as wide-eyed fans pore over each and every frame of Marvel’s three-hour juggernaut.

Because let’s face it, there’s a lot to unpack. Directors Joe and Anthony Russo have crammed so much into that three-hour runtime that it’s a wonder Avengers: Endgame doesn’t buckle under its own weight. And yet, the movie stands tall, drawing the curtain in a way that is both satisfying and wildly entertaining.

There is, however, much to discuss when it comes to the film’s final act. So without further ado, let’s recap the biggest moments from Endgame‘s third act. And fair warning: here lie spoilers.

Still with us? We begin at a decimated Avengers HQ. The Mad Titan and his goons have hijacked the Quantum tunnel and successfully traveled from 2014 into the present day, where Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have built a fully-functioning Infinity Gauntlet of their own.

And so begins a war like no other. Led by Captain America, the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe – Captain Marvel included – lets loose on Thanos and his army, and while Josh Brolin’s über-villain manages to withstand most, if not all of the attacks, he’s one-upped by Tony Stark, who catches eyes with Doctor Strange (1 in 14,000,605, remember) and delivers what is perhaps the perfect line – “And I… am Iron Man” – as he wields the Gauntlet and snaps his fingers.

The Infinity Gauntlet almost killed Thanos when he performed his own snap back in Infinity War, while Professor Hulk was unable to channel the ancient power of those six concentrated ingots. Previous MCU movies have informed us that only a being of extraordinary power can wield the Gauntlet, and we all know that Stark has a history of laying his life on the line.

So with Tony’s arc now complete (not that one), he’s finally able to rest, safe in the knowledge that Peter Parker and Co. have returned from the brink of death. This scene gives way to Stark’s funeral, which features just about every major character from the Marvel universe, including a surprise callback to Iron Man 3.

This being Tony Stark, the entire funeral features a voiceover from the man himself, who’s managed to record a digital message to Pepper and his daughter Morgan (“I love you three thousand”). It’s perhaps the perfect bookend to the Infinity Saga, which all began with RDJ in that cave back in 2008.

From this point, we then begin to see the ramifications of Endgame‘s time travel. Essentially, those who survived the Snap are five years older, while those affected by Marvel’s Decimation are still the same age. So Cassie Lang is now a teenager, even though Hope and Scott are the same age.

Thor, on the other hand, hands over control of Asgard to Valkyrie, before enrolling in the Guardians of the Galaxy – much to the chagrin of Star-Lord. And Steve Rogers? Oh boy, that’s where things get really emotional.

Soon after he returns all six Infinity Stones to their respective locations in the MCU timeline – doing so ensures that the current timeline remains the same, even after the events of Endgame – he swings by Peggy’s and finally keeps his promise. The two dance, and seemingly enjoy a lifetime of happiness, given Old Man Cap emerges from the other end of the portal. He then passes over the famous shield to Sam, the newfound Captain America. And that, as they say, is that.

Avengers: Endgame is playing in theaters right now. So what are you waiting for?