By Susan JAMES

Nineteen times the heroes of the cinematic Marvel Universe have saved that universe from villains weird and terrible, twisted titans seeking revenge, power and chaos. Loki, Ultron, Hela, Erik Killmonger and the Winter Soldier among others have gone up against the redoubtable and lost. The heroes have battled the bad guys, fought each other, made mayhem, made love, broken apart, come together and flourished. But now, boys and girls, the ultimate baddie, Thanos, a villain so evil that he obsesses over population control, is ready to wipe the universe of heroes if only population numbers can be brought into the harmony.

“Avengers: Infinity Wars,” directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, with a script by Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely and untold others, is a pyramid standing on its point. On the one hand, it is a movie of gloriously inventive CGI, witty inter-character banter and captivating performances. On the other hand, Thanos sees the problems of the universe as overpopulation. In order to solve this dilemma and bring all into balance, his solution is simple. Simply wipe out half of the citizens of the universe so the other half can prosper. In an alternate universe this problem could be addressed in two words: birth control, but in Marvel’s universe things just aren’t that simple.

Thanos’ plan is to collect the six Infinity Stones that were created at the beginning of Creation with the Big Bang and when assembled will give him complete control over time and space. Only a creature of immense power can use them (Thanos has the Infinity Gauntlet) and having them makes the user master of all. One problem for Thanos is that the stones have protectors sworn to prevent them from being used for evil purposes, like, for instance, wiping out half of the existing population of the universe. Another problem is the readiness with which said protectors are into self-sacrifice for the greater good. Various groups of protectors face off against Thanos and his minions and battles – many, many battles – are fought on strikingly different planets spread out across the galaxies.

Working on the premise that more is more, this first part of a two-part film sequence tying up the Avengers’ adventures (part two comes out next year) brings the fractured clan of superheroes back together and joins them with the roustabout crew from the “Guardians of the Galaxy.” It would take this entire review to give you a cast of characters and their satellite stories, so Google it. But know that if you are a particular fan of Iron Man (as I am) or Dr. Strange (ditto), they get their moments in the sun and the snarky badinage between them is a high point of the movie. Captain America has plenty of grim and determined time and T’Challa, aka the Black Panther, has a higher profile (surprise, surprise) than in previous Avenger adventures.

If your faves are the Guardians, there is plenty of screen time for them, particularly for Thanos’ favorite adopted daughter, Gamora, played with gritty conviction by sci fi stalwart Zoe Saldana. Nebula is there with her death glare to support her sister in the fight against a guy who has been a pretty bad dad.

For devotees of Marvel for whom every twist and turn is magic, this film is for you. For those who enjoy a battle brawl of superheroes fighting the good fight against ultimate evil, this film is for you. For everyone else, Amy Schumer is out there trying to look pretty.

See you at the movies!

  susan james