so that was Endgame

[sciatrix]

I have abouuut ten A5-size pages of notes--I take notes while I'm seeing movies in theaters, it helps me pay attention and I can just about barely see what I'm doing at the Drafthouse--and I will probably scan some of them when I can actually process things again and write up a longer post.

Right now I'm wandering around a little bit stunned--I need to eat and probably sleep before I have total processing power; I was actually low on both things going into the movie and I did not eat all that much while I was in there despite being in a theater that serves quite good food and actually ordering some. And then I woke up after six hours of sleep the night after, and I still haven't eaten yet.

First impression: my god, was that a movie about trauma and going on despite it. I was not expecting them to actually make the Snap count, but that they pulled off pretty effectively.

Nebula broke my heart and still breaks it, and now I'm completely heartbroken for poor baby!Gamora wandering around in the universe, too. And Peter. I don't know how Peter is going to cope, and I suspect him of snapping and trying to gnaw off Thor's head at some point.

And Cap's ending rings really hollow to me--largely, I think, because I don't know how Steve is going to pull off Not Doing Things in this brave new world where he's, what, hidden living with Peggy? In the center of SHIELD, knowing Hydra is there, and not being able to tell her about the rot in her organization? Completely cut off from changing things? I love the symbolism of him dancing with Peggy, I love him getting to Go Home--although I don't understand how he can do that without Bucky following him, I really don't--but I don't know what a life for himself without public good works looks like.

There are things I really like about this movie. There are things that ring hollow. And there are a lot of things that have me just sort of... sitting in shock, and terrified and worried about how certain people are going to go on. I think that they did a decent job of wrapping up most of the Phase 1 characters on Earth; I think there's no wrap-up at all for Team Space, and for those of us who are most invested in Team Space... yeah.

I don't know. I'm not processing on all cylinders right now, and I'm not really delving into my Nebula and Gamora feelings, because those are the ones closest to the center of my heart. I might need some distance. Hard to say.

Comments

[illariy]

You and I share a lot of opinions. I agree with the previous commenter that the film was also a lot about families, both blood-related as well as chosen ones.

I have tried to watch Guardians of the Galaxy twice but never managed to see more than 30 minutes before being too bored and switching it off. But after seeing Nebula in this film, I am actually interested in seeing more of her. Her story line was actually one of my favourites in the film. I am curious to see what they will do with her next and might try to watch GotG a third time, hehe.

You make a good point about the downsides of Steve choosing to live with Peggy. I was happy about the ending initially although somewhat surprised by his choice. Your point clarifies why I was surprised. I do not think he would be able to take it. It remains to be seen if he actually did or what. (I would be very surprised if this was it and they never showed young/present!Steve again in a MCU film...)

I am very interested in your notes and/or a longer post on your thoughts on the film!

[sciatrix]

If you really want a reason to care about Nebula, I suggest you skip GOTG1 and try GOTG2 instead. I have a very high tolerance for in media res, but I think GOTG2 is better for a lot of people because:

-Peter Quill is about 200% less obnoxious, I swear, especially re: flirting with Gamora
-Gamora actually appears to reciprocate interest in flirting, which is very unclear in GOTG1; GOTG2 is entirely why people gave a shit about Quill and Gamora in Infinity War.
-GOTG1 has far less focus on Nebula and Gamora, who are my personal bulletproof faves
-GOTG2's plot does a lot of toxic masculinity deconstruction, which also does a lot to mitigate Rocket's particular brand of asshole.
-tiny bb Groot bouncing around being a small and very angry tree toddler being coparented by a band of four assholes living in a camping trailer: infinitely better than Lorge Groot looming over everyone
-I would say GOTG2's B-plot is explicitly Nebula and Gamora negotiating their sisterhood. (The A-plot is Peter Quill and his daddy issues plus negotiating generational patterns of abuse, neglect, and the kind of toxic masculinity that leaves you isolated and unable to form meaningful connections without risking status, life, and limb. There are also themes of chosen vs. birth family woven throughout.)

To be clear, I was pretty "oh okay, cool" and not suuuper invested in the Guardians after GOTG1; GOTG2 lured me out of fandom lurking and gave me massive emotional feelings about Nebula and Gamora and their own arcs of dealing with the essential trauma of Thanos, and how Thanos stood like a shadow over their relationships with one another.

GOTG2 takes place a whole three months after GOTG1, and I think you can get a pretty good sense for who the characters are if you start there. And you get 200% more Nebula in GOTG2, plus a lot of focus on Gamora and who she is and why I'm sitting here rioting about her having had three incredibly important years of her life erased and then released into the galaxy to rediscover herself.

[illariy]

You make a compelling argument: I think I am going to look at a summary of GotG1 and then watch GotG2. I am primarily there for Nebula and Gamora, after all. (Zoe Saldana fan since she joined the Star Trek crew!) Thank you for all the good info, much appreciated. :-)