The Marvel Cinematic Universe is extensive, to say the least, and there is a lot of ground to cover in Avengers: Endgame. Most MCU fans will tell any average viewer to watch all prior films before the final installment in order to comprehend all of the context, but understandably so, that is a lot of time and preparation, and some are hesitant to commit to such a big task.
When Endgame's cinematic release was approaching, viewers everywhere were wondering about a shortcut, or even a cheat sheet of knowledge, in order for them to fully understand the context of the film as a Marvel newcomer. While it would be more beneficial to watch all of the MCU movies, it isn't entirely necessary to binge-watch all of the films beforehand. However, there are a few major plot points and characters viewers should know about before watching the most anticipated film of 2019.
Intro To Avengers And Civil War
A lot of backstories are presented between the first few Marvel movies and Captain America: Civil War, but here is a quick breakdown of the beginning of it all. Before viewers were introduced to any new members, a core group of six made up the Avengers: Iron Man (Tony Stark), Captain America (Steve Rogers), Thor (God of Thunder), Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff), Hulk (Bruce Banner), and Hawkeye (Clint Barton).
What is most important to know is these original Avengers were a part of the life-altering event that is The Battle of New York. This infamous battle is where viewers are first introduced to a galactic force, the Chitauri, that would soon wreak havoc on the universe in later movies, under the leadership of Thanos. However, by the time Civil War rolls around, it's worth noting that new heroes are included in the action: Spider-Man (Peter Parker), War Machine (James Rhodes), Winter Soldier (Bucky Barnes), Vision, Ant-Man (Scott Lang), Black Panther (T'Challa), and Falcon (Sam Wilson.) These characters are important to keep in mind, as viewers will see a lot more of them in the coming Marvel films.
History Of Thanos And Infinity Stones
Thanos is by far one of the most important characters to know the ins and outs of. He was teased at the end of the first Avengers movie, but viewers learn more about him throughout the Marvel franchise. The powerful Titan native has a massive mission from the start: to obtain all of the infinity stones to wipe out half of existence. What's most important to remember is that in Infinity War, he, unfortunately, achieves his goal. However, this does not for sure communicate "the end of the world" as the Avengers know it.
The infinity stones are held in all different parts of the universe and they all serve a different purpose. Used in conjunction, they are a deadly force of power. They include the mind, power, reality, soul, space, and time stones. It is worth noting, however, that the mind stone is one of the most important, as it lives in the head of Vision, a living android and ally to the Avengers, and provided powers to Scarlet Witch, a force of evil turned good named Wanda Maximoff, who falls in love with Vision.
SHIELD And Hydra
SHIELD (which stands for Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division) is essentially a worldwide agency that coordinates with the Avengers and the United Nations of Earth. The organization serves as the foundation for most of the prominent characters in the Avengers movies, such Nick Fury, director of SHIELD, and fellow SHIELD agents, Steve Rogers, and Natasha Romanoff.
On the flip side, Hydra serves as somewhat of a terrorist organization opposing the forces of SHIELD and even infiltrated them at one point. Additionally, "hail hydra" is an important phrase and motto associated with the group, serving as a sort of celebration at the expense of the lives taken by the organization, and is even said as a salute. Both opposing associations stand as important parts of Marvel history, and they remain prevalent throughout the cinematic universe.
Hulk vs. Bruce Banner
Since Hulk appears in times of defensiveness and anger, it is only natural to understand that he represents the most negative sides of Bruce. In the later installments, fans start to see this conflict between Bruce and Hulk escalate, and it's frustrating to watch Hulk's inability to appear in times of need.
Before viewing Endgame, it is vital to understand that the active conflict between both sides of Banner isn't easing up anytime soon, as Banner isn't able to control Hulk as easily as he used to. After losing a fight against Thanos, Hulk refuses to come out. That means that after Infinity War, Banner and Hulk both failed.
Thor's New Weapon
Thor has suffered many great losses. Along with the death of his mother and father, he had also experienced a loss in the form of a brother who has opposed him and deprived him of a relationship his whole life, Loki. Adding to the list of hateful siblings is Hela, the goddess of death.
In Thor: Ragnarok, Hela goes on to destroy Thor's hammer, also known as Mjölnir. Thor's new weapon, Stormbreaker, is forged in Infinity War, using the power of a dying star, pieced together by Groot's arm as the handle. Though Thor's new, highly-powerful weapon works quite well as his replacement, Mjölnir might not be gone forever. Also, be sure to stay on the lookout for Thor's new partner in crime in the coming movies, Asgardian heroine Valkyrie.
Hawkeye, Dr. Strange, And Captain Marvel
Though Hawkeye was a prominent, loveable character and member of the Avengers at the beginning of the franchise, his last appearance for a while was in Civil War, due to his house arrest sentence for his involvement in assisting Team Cap in the war. Hawkeye decided to return to retirement in order to remain with his family. He didn't even participate in the fight against Thanos in Infinity War.
Other characters that are important to note are Dr. Strange and Captain Marvel. Both heroes had their own movies that focused on their backstories, but for the sake of summarizing, knowing their strengths and powers is especially crucial. Dr. Stephen Strange has incredible abilities, ranging from time travel, to teleportation, to even telepathy. As far as Captain Marvel, or Carol Danvers, goes, she is one of the most powerful forces among the group, given her unique powers of reality-altering and a seventh sense. She was not present for the battle in Infinity War, but she was warned to make a return in the end credit scene of the film.
Ant-Man And The Quantum Realm
Though Ant-Man provides many monumental scenes in the MCU, the major thing to take into account from Ant-Man and The Wasp is that time travel and teleportation are possible via the Quantum Realm. Ant-Man uses sub-atomic particles in order to shrink to an extremely small size and travel through time and space.
Although, at the end of Ant-Man and The Wasp, Ant-Man gets stuck in the Quantum Realm in the midst of Thanos' snap from the Infinity War timeline, as no one was there to bring him out of the portal. Endgame, however, answers the question of what happens after he gets stranded in this realm and if there is any chance of him getting out.
Guardians Of The Galaxy
Both Guardians of the Galaxy movies serve an essential purpose by unifying the Earth's heroes with the galaxy's utmost villains. Though films introduce characters such as Star-Lord (Peter Quill), Rocket, Groot, Drax, and Mantis, it is pivotal to know Thanos's "daughters" Gamora and Nebula.
While the two serve as deathly opponents for the majority of their relationship, it's worth highlighting that both resort to teaming up, bonded by the resentment of their father for the grief he has caused the universe due to his evil motives. It is interesting, to say the least, to watch the relationships between the three unfold throughout the MCU films, and the chaos definitely didn't stop at Infinity War.
Watch Infinity War
While it is not necessary to watch all previous MCU films beforehand, it is recommended to at least watch Infinity War first, as it is an important precursor to the chaos that unravels in Endgame. A series of important events unfold in Infinity War that will have a continuation in the next movie and will provide necessary context, so think of Infinity War as part one and Endgame as part two.
If it's not possible to watch Infinity War first, the Avengers take on Thanos to stop his plan to destroy half of the universe, in his own twisted efforts to restore balance. In the process, the Avengers team up to protect the stones until Thanos gains access to the gems in a twist of events. He begins using the stones against the Avengers by inevitably snapping his fingers and wiping out half of the universe including many heroes. The movie concludes with Thanos sitting, pleased with his actions, and living in pure bliss.