KUALA LUMPUR: Avengers fever is hotting up and will soon explode like a supernova, if conversations and media reports on the web are a reliable measure.
Malaysians, too, are caught up in the excitement. From cafes to restaurants, and from offices to colleges, the subject is as much-talked about as the fortunes of a former prime minister and the current government.
Zaidi Ahmad, a teacher in his early 40s, says students at his school can’t wait to watch the superhero flick.
“I’m quite neutral on Endgame. But my students are talking a lot about it. About who else will die, and whether that Thanos character will still be a threat after this movie.
“I guess this chatter will continue for quite a while, at least until the movie completes its run here.”
Is superhero fatigue not setting in?
A few think the absence of other types of blockbuster movies means the reign of the superhumans will continue.
“Avengers is exciting. There’s some good dialogue too. But I think we are lacking in mass-appeal movies that provoke thought,” says lawyer C.Y. Chan. Maybe it’s a reflection of people’s appetite for intelligent movies.
Muniandy R. agrees, and points to “fantastic” films of the past.
“What happened? We had Gandhi and Ben Hur. Their dialogue is superior. Now we get this action stuff dressed up with some forgettable lines.” He is well-read, but no prizes will be given for guessing his age.
The past aside, some people expressed concern about the fate of their favoured heroes.
“I really hope Iron Man does not die too. And Thor. I know it’s only a movie, but I really like those characters,” says 20-year-old Austin Yap.
He, and the others may have good reason to worry.
Ahead of the worldwide release of the movie, ‘leaks’ of its storyline have appeared on the web. In particular, a five-minute clip, recorded secretly, is making many fans anxious.
The directors of the movie, the Russo bothers, have appealed to fans to stay silent. “Because so many of you have invested your time, your hearts and your souls into these stories, we’re once again asking for your help.”
Leak or no leak, Avengers: Endgame, which hits the screens next week, is showing all the signs of becoming a mega-blockbuster at the box office. Even in Malaysia. A cinematic supernova. Brace yourself.