Initial Reactions to Avengers: Infinity War: Understanding the Puzzlements

After watching Avengers: Infinity War (2018) without spoilers, one's first reaction is often a mix of confusion and an overwhelming sense of emotion. This article explores the initial confusions and emotional responses many viewers experienced, particularly those who were unfamiliar with the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Confusion and Puzzlements

For newcomers to the MCU, many aspects of the movie seemed incomprehensible. Here are some of the most common reactions:

Alien with Gems: The Infinity Gems holders were unrecognizable. For instance, the alien character who held the gems was incomprehensible, raising questions about their origin and role. Hulk and Thor: The appearance of Hulk alongside Thor confused many. They didn't initially seem like the same species, making their alliance somewhat baffling at first. Otherworldly Heroes: The sudden appearance of a clothed hero and his potential abilities seemed out of place and strange. Time Travel Questions: Several viewers wondered if the hero in the suit could reverse time, adding to the overall confusion. Tech Mivia: Tony Stark not having his arc reactor and his odd interactions with a robotic lady were also puzzling. Harry Potter Implications: Some fans wondered about Harry Potter’s involvement, given the mention of a known enemy. Phase-4 Unexplained Elements: The identities of Vision, Wanda, Sam, Rhodey, and the mysterious man in the mask with a cat mask or advanced country added to the mystery. Robot-Human Transformations: A sudden transformation into a human and robot was unexpected and intriguing. Thanos vs. Earth’s Best Defender: The character who tried to snap and kill people further complicated the narrative, making the hero with the craft and star symbol seem underappreciated. Technological Limb Replacements: The technological replacement of a character’s leg was both fascinating and disconcerting. Mass Dusting: The sudden mass extinction of a large portion of the universe was another aspect that caught everyone off guard.

Emotions and Expectations

While some expected a few character deaths, the sudden and significant casualties were deeply shocking. Avengers: Infinity War marked a departure from the typically sparing nature of character deaths in the MCU, leading to profound emotional responses:

Affection for Characters: Viewers were deeply attached to the characters they had followed for nearly a decade, making their departure all the more emotionally challenging. Daily Heartbreak: Each death involved intense mourning, while the reappearances of some characters were met with cheers. Brilliant Villainry: Thanos was widely considered a perfect villain. His complexity and the threat he posed to the heroes made him stand out among previous MCU villains.

Personal Reflection

Like many viewers, the author had limited exposure to the MCU prior to Infinity War. This had both advantages and challenges. While the initial experience was enjoyable, the lack of context made the film harder to follow. The author's immediate reaction was to binge-watch as many pre-Disney movies as possible. However, the emotional impact was profound, leading to devastating and numb feelings even after the theater experience.

Overall, Avengers: Infinity War brought a new era of confusion and emotion to the MCU, leaving viewers with a mix of questions and deep emotional responses.