Filled with intense fight-scenes, shocking plot-twists, and emotional moments, Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War captivates the audience for the majority of its two and a half hour run time. This superhero film, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, begins right where Thor: Ragnarok left off: aboard the spaceship carrying the survivors of Asgard’s destruction. But as suspected by many Marvel fans, the Asgardians never reach their new home. Instead, they are intercepted by Thanos (Josh Brolin), a member of the Eternals who is obsessed with gaining control of the Infinity Stones. These stones are able to control different aspects of existence and are a critical part of Thanos’ dark plan to eradicate half of the universe’s population. This ominous opening scene ends with Thanos gaining control of the Space Stone in spite of the efforts made by Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) to stop him.

Naturally, Thanos’ actions draw the attention of the Avengers, most of whom are now scattered across the globe, following events from previous movies. The audience is reintroduced to Steven Strange/Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), as well as Tony Stark/Ironman (Robert Downey Jr.), Peter Parker/Spiderman (Tom Holland), and Wong (Benedict Wong). These heroes must work with Bruce Banner/the Hulk to defend themselves from two of Thanos’ lieutenants, Maw and Obsidian, as they try to capture the Time Stone from Dr. Strange.

Meanwhile, Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany) face a similar threat. Being the current owners of the Mind Stone, Vision and the Scarlet Witch are attacked while in Scotland, later to be saved by Natasha Romanova/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle), and Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie).

Arguably one of the highlights of Infinity War is not the presence of these Avengers, but the arrival of the Guardians of the Galaxy. This crossover perfectly intertwines the many narratives, with Gamora (Zoe Saldana), a member of the Guardians, also being the adoptive daughter of Thanos. With the Guardians is Thor, who miraculously survived the opening attack on the Asgardian spaceship. Together, the Guardians fight alongside many of the Avengers to stop Thanos from achieving his goal.

The juggling of narratives can be confusing at times, but they all eventually culminate in a battle scene including many more Marvel fan favorites: T’Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans), and Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan). The fight is intense, and the results are truly astonishing. Infinity War manages to excite the audience and also produce an emotional reaction, something that is few and far between in a superhero movie.

The movie is dramatic, to say the least, but still maintains the classic banter and action scenes that Marvel moviegoers have grown to love. Freshman Hayden Masia described it as “mind-blowing experience,” filled with “character development that [carries over] from other Marvel movies.” Infinity War is not necessarily life-changing, but it does entertain the audience and certainly leaves each viewer astonished and anxiously awaiting the next Avengers installment.