By Dru Barcelo and Daylin Delgado

After months of theories, and growing tensions, Avengers: Infinity War’s premiere delivered what it promised: the greatest crossover, the worst heartbreaks, and a clean—if uncertain—slate for the future of Marvel.

The prospect of a crossover as big as Marvel did with this film is daunting to any writer, any director, and any producer. In the handling of multiple, parallel storylines that somehow connect, the main plot can become convoluted, and abstract to the viewers. However, the Russo brothers—Anthony and Joseph, the directors—executed their vision for Infinity War, and the merging storylines beautifully.

From the jump, the film recalls Thor-Hulk duo from Thor: Ragnarok, and the Stark-Parker father-son relationship from Spider-Man: Homecoming. Soon after Thanos’s reveal, Tony Stark was introduced to Doctor Strange for a subtly humorous relationship of snarky, mutual respect, and Thor hurtles through space where he meets the Guardians, initiating a rivalry with a jealous Peter Quill, and a bromance with Rocket.

Speaking of Thor, he was arguably the greatest hero of the story. Despite facing heartbreaking loss, the Asgardian god retained his strength, and channeled his anger and resentment into his abilities, displaying solid character development. He was one of the only heros to get a real hit on Thanos—though it was ultimately futile—and his knowledge of the universe led him to the resources he needed to help in the final battle.

Thor’s story arc also delivers a new dynamic between Rocket, Groot and himself, the trio venturing on a side journey in the midst of the chaos. The humorous playful nature of Rocket meshes well with Thor’s cocky humor. This factor, alongside the serious nature of their journey to obtain a weapon that is allegedly the strongest in the universe, makes for what is one of the most entertaining arcs in the movie.

Doctor Strange, master of the Time Stone, also presented a strong case for being one of the best characters in the film. Strong-willed and gifted, he holds onto the Time Stone until the very end, and only relinquishes it to save his new hero acquaintances. Throughout the film, he shows expert use of his powers without being too flashy, or becoming directly involved in the action. Even better, he does it all while showing Tony Stark that not everyone needs to submit to his authority, and wearing the Cloak of Levitation—the supremely adorable, and actual best character in the film.

Thanos’s insanity is borderline genius. His goal, achieving world peace, is noble; His methods are not. He is a villain with intentions that require “the strongest will,” the epitome of a villian that has experienced loss and, instead of fighting in a fairytale manner, he is willing to do what no one else will so that the universe will be at what he calls “peace.” He gave up the only thing that he loved for the fulfillment of this dream, that dream not being self-serving, mirroring the archetypical hero that sacrifices everything for the sake of peace.

Though it was marvelous, Marvel’s newest blockbuster isn’t perfect. For one, Vision’s, and Wanda’s relationship continues to be the greatest of all messes. Hard to follow, or to dedicate any focus on, the relationship is mildly toxic, uncomfortably obsessive, and the center of several of the Avengers’ problems, including the issue of how easy it was for Thanos to get the Mind Stone. As is always the case, had it not been for Wanda’s emotional attachment to Vision, the Avengers and the Guardians could’ve had a little more of a fighting chance.

On the opposite end of the spectrum of emotions, the humor—one of Marvel’s trademarks—was occasionally misplaced. Some jokes were delivered by the wrong characters, or in the wrong tone, and some of the humor was better left unseen as it disrupted the flow of the plot. This was prevalent in scenes with characters like Vision and Loki, especially in their scenes of dire circumstances.

However, it wasn’t all bad. The most memorable scenes include when the Cloak of Levitation smacks Tony for leaning on one of the important urns in Doctor Strange’s home, and Tony, who is not used to being bossed around, indignantly says he will allow it. Towards the end of the film, Captain America and Thor’s reunion is also a light scene as Cap compliments Thor’s haircut, and Thor teases Cap for “copying [his] beard.”

Not necessarily a flaw, but also not one of the greatest situations in the world for the newly opened area, the use of Wakanda as a battleground was an interesting choice. It parallels the 2013 Infinity comic book event series in which the final battle between the Avengers and Thanos’s army also takes place in Wakanda; both stories show how Thanos’s army breached the borders, and overwhelmed the heroes. However, it’s a sore spot for Blank Panther fans who, like Okoye, just want Wakanda to continue to prosper in peace, and possibly have a Starbucks for the tribes’ enjoyment.

Who was once perceived as the strongest being in the MCU, Hulk is presented only at the very beginning of the movie, and not in a flattering fashion. Once the exposition concluded, the audience is left with a non-green Bruce Banner. Throughout the rest of the film there is a constant conflict between Banner and Hulk, almost as though they are two separate entities in the same body. Banner, left without his indestructible body, is forced to resort to the Hulkbuster, an Iron Man suit meant to resemble the Hulk. The conflict is left unresolved, left to be hopefully continued in the next installment.

Marvel brilliantly, and sadistically, set their viewers up for heartbreak with the emphasis on Tony’s and Peter’s relationship. Moments before the ending, when moviegoers think the film just can’t get any more emotionally damaging, maskless Peter collapses into Tony’s beat up body. He utters “Mr. Stark, I don’t feel so good…I don’t want to go, I don’t want to go,” as a little boy would tell his dad about a minor ailment on a school morning, before effectively ruining every person in the audience as he apologizes as if it were all his fault.

Also, it’s no secret that Captain America and Thor are among the most popular superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the reactions to Infinity War are true testaments to the extent of their popularity, and power. Before Captain America’s face was revealed in the film, his silhouette alone was enough to get the audience screaming. Later, executing one of the greatest entrances in the entire MCU, Thor received equally as loud cheering by merely standing on the battlefield.

In what feels like the desolate remains of the universe after the snap of a finger, the hopeless and heart wrenched audience is left with nothing but the bitter and utter defeat of the heroes with tears streaming down everyone’s faces. The unfamiliar scene of the antagonist smiling, watching the sunrise, brings a heaviness to heart.

However, the slightest glimmer of hope shines with the reassurance that “Thanos will return.” Until then, audiences, and ourselves are left with nothing but the soft whimpers of our misery, and the slow beat of our wounded hearts.