Upon its release in April 2018, *Avengers: Infinity War* was received as a massive cinematic event, earning generally positive reviews from critics and near-universal acclaim from audiences. While critics praised its ambition and its "best-in-class" villain, some were more tepid regarding its overstuffed narrative and "cliffhanger" nature.
### **1. Critical Reception and Scores**
At the time of release, the film was "Certified Fresh" on **Rotten Tomatoes** with an initial score of approximately **86–90%** (eventually settling at 85%). On **Metacritic**, the film received a score of **68/100**, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
* **The "Thanos" Factor:** Almost every review singled out Josh Brolin’s performance as Thanos. Critics who had previously complained about Marvel’s "villain problem" argued that Thanos was the most fully realized and menacing antagonist in the franchise. *The Washington Post* called him Marvel’s most impressive villain, while *CNET* dubbed him the "MVP" of the film.
* **The Ending:** The film’s "Snap" ending—where half the universe's population is erased—was a major point of discussion. Many critics compared the film to *The Empire Strikes Back*, praising the "ballsy" choice to end on a somber, shocking loss.
* **Directorial Balance:** The Russo Brothers were widely praised for their ability to balance dozens of major characters. *IGN* noted that the most satisfying aspect was that "no one is relegated to stock player," despite the massive ensemble.
### **2. Common Criticisms**
While the film was a hit, "Top Critics" from major publications were often more reserved:
* **"Half a Movie":** A recurring complaint was that *Infinity War* felt like "Part 1" of a story rather than a standalone film. *The New York Times* (A.O. Scott) described it as a "noisy, bloated spectacle" where the money felt like a "substitute for genuine imagination."
* **Emotional Stakes:** Some critics, such as those at *The Los Angeles Times* (Justin Chang), argued that the shocking ending lacked true weight because audiences knew the deaths would likely be reversed in the sequel, *Avengers: Endgame*.
* **Logistical Complexity:** Several reviews noted the film felt like a "logistical puzzle" rather than an organic narrative, with characters hopping between planets purely to advance the plot.
### **3. Audience Reception**
Audiences were significantly more enthusiastic than critics:
* **CinemaScore:** The film earned an **"A" grade** from opening-night audiences, a high mark that signaled strong word-of-mouth.
* **Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score:** It maintained a **91% audience approval rating**, significantly higher than the critical average.
* **Fan Culture:** The marketing campaign (#ThanosDemandsYourSilence) successfully turned the film into a "spoiler-proof" cultural moment, leading to repeat viewings.
### **4. Commercial Impact at Release**
The film’s reception translated into historic box office numbers:
* **Opening Weekend:** It set the record for the highest global opening weekend of all time ($630 million) and the highest domestic opening ($257.6 million).
* **Speed to Milestones:** It became the fastest film to reach $1 billion (11 days) and eventually became the fourth film in history to gross over **$2 billion worldwide**.
### **Summary of Key Critic Quotes**
* **Forbes (Mark Hughes):** "The most ambitious, most audacious, most mind-blowing superhero film ever produced... the perfect fulfillment of a promise Marvel made 10 years ago."
* **The Guardian (Peter Bradshaw):** A "colossal, cataclysmic, delirious" showdown that managed to be "surreally entertaining."
* **Chicago Tribune (Michael Phillips):** One of the few negative voices, stating that after 10 years of MCU films, the spectacle felt "enervating" and over-extended.