By Nicole Fernandez | Staff Writer

The fate of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has finally been revealed with the release of “Avengers: Endgame” and it threw audiences into a frenzy. Directed by Anthony and Joseph Russo (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”), known collectively as the Russo brothers, the conclusion to the Avengers franchise was released to shock and acclaim by critics and fan alike.

The latest installment in the MCU had been kept under tight lock and key since filming began mid-last year which meant that the final product on the big screen was a three-hour whirlwind of never knowing what was going to happen next. Nearly every theory buzzing on the internet about the film was crumpled, stomped on, and thrown into the fire.

After the cliff-hanger ending in 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” where half the population of every planet in the universe was killed by the big baddie Thanos, “Endgame” picked up right where it left off. Like its predecessor, it is an epic that flies by, but this time the adventure was increased by a thousand.

“Endgame” focuses on the surviving heroes who band together once again to reverse the infamous Snap that destroyed their lives. Despite the daunting goal, the film manages to be light and even hilarious at times, easily blending humor and fun with the nerve-wracking fear of failure and dizzying action sequences. The comedy was perfection, lending to the surprisingly lighthearted tone that is a far cry from the dark and gritty “Infinity War.” Plus, the abundance of heartwarming moments contrasted nicely with the multiple WTF twists.

With most of the characters gone, there was room to delve into the original Avengers, providing character development and history that was previously unknown. Each arc follows characters into maturity, and “Endgame” is the perfect culmination to see those arcs through. One of the biggest standouts was Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff, a.k.a. the Black Widow. Her character was always shrouded by her wit and jaw-dropping acrobatics, but the tragedy she faces from Thanos allowed an insight into her mind and emotions. One of the bloodiest female fighters in the MCU showed a side to her she had never revealed before, a vulnerability that showcased how much she’s grown from her days as just a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.

The action alone deserves to be watched over and over. The Russo brothers once again proved their abilities to shift between Earth and space, human and superpowered. Each melee is a dynamic mosaic of heroes besieged by enemies, but every individual hero gets their due focus.

This film was made to please the fans. Every aspect was precisely created to give viewers the MCU movie of a lifetime. Full of gratuitous fan service, it ranged from overt and bombastic to subtle nods that only die-hard comic buffs would understand. Though this usually turns out to be groan-inducing in movies, the Russo brothers pulled it off tastefully, creating a love letter clearly made for the people.