How are you supposed to end an era, a legacy of blockbusters and critically ac- claimed movies that have been genre-defying and trend-setting? The “Avengers” films have been a major part of our generation’s pop-culture. They’re our “Star Wars” movies, our “Lord of the Rings.” In “Avengers: Endgame,” the Russo brothers successfully ended an iconic era of Marvel movies.

“Avengers: Endgame” successfully delivers a similar impact to last year’s home-run film, “Avengers: Infinity War.” “Endgame” picks up right where “Infinity War” leaves off, with everyone at- tempting to deal with the aftermath of the snap, which saw the death of half of the universe. After some hiccups, the team finally concocts a plan that could save everyone who disappeared in the last Avengers movie.

The movie is three hours long, and if you absolutely need to run to the bathroom, do it earlier on when things are still getting set up. Ultimately, the pacing is incredibly well done for a film of this length, and although the tone of the movie goes back and forth between serious and lighthearted, it does so well.

For what it is, “Avengers: Endgame” is a perfect installment of the Marvel-movie formula we all know and love. It takes the best characteristics of the saga and pieces them together in a fulfilling and entertaining way. There are some absolutely hilarious scenes, some mind-blowing moments and enough gut- wrenching tear-jerkers to rival “Infinity War.” There is also, touchingly, Stan Lee’s very last cameo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so make sure to keep an eye out!

I left the theater with a slight hollowness in my stomach, which I first mistook for disappointment, in fear that the movie didn’t live up to hype. However, “Avengers: Endgame” surpassed the hype—I had the most fun watching this movie out of any Marvel movie before, giddy with excitement at some very notable points in the film. The hollow feeling was attributable to the mere fact that we’re saying goodbye to an era. It’s no masterpiece, but it’s a perfect and beautiful end to the past ten years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, up there with my absolute favorites of the series. It’s an elegy that is filled with both hype and smart nostalgia, looking back to past with a twinkle in its eyes and grinning toward the future. The end was inevitable, as always, but thankfully it proved satisfying in all the right ways.

Contact Peter Hager at [email protected].