The Forgotten Cataclysm: Why Humanity's Fate Was Critical in Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War

One of the most significant narrative omissions from Avengers: Infinity War was the lauded establishment of humanity's fate from the 2012 Avengers. This missing element profoundly impacted the audience's emotional connection to the source material and significantly diminished the film's potential to fully realize its narrative potential.

An Omission Revisited

The 2012 Avengers introduced a crucial montage of how common people worldwide welcomed heroes who had saved them. This event was a catalyst for cultural and generational change, solidifying the Avengers as defenders against cosmic threats. The narrative choice in Avengers: Infinity War to sideline this theme missed a grand opportunity to deepen the audience's emotional investment in the story and the characters' stakes.

The Cultural Pivot Point

Remembering the significance of humanity's reaction to the Avengers' actions is vital in understanding the depth of the threat posed by Thanos. The montage from 2012 served as a teasing foreshadowing of the scale of the coming catastrophe. Audiences would have felt a profound sense of dread when the Guardians of the Galaxy's mission turned out to be impossible.

Reflecting on Nick Fury’s efforts to introduce the world to the Avengers, it's clear he wanted to ensure that humanity wouldn't be left in the dark. Every hero’s face was a beacon of hope to ordinary people. Without this context, the deaths of thousands in the climax of Infinity War would be an afterthought rather than a heartbreaking tragedy.

The Impact on Spider-Man: Homecoming and Beyond

The establishment of humanity's reaction in Avengers was crucial for the success of Spider-Man: Homecoming. Peter Parker’s knowledge of the Avengers and their iconic battles was directly tied to the world’s heightened awareness. This tie-in was a masterstroke that strengthened the relationship between the MCU movies.

Similarly, Age of Ultron and Civil War showcased the world's continued faith in the Avengers. In these films, we saw the heroes leading the charge against threats far beyond Earth. The narrative arc in Infinity War, which saw the Avengers fail the world they were meant to protect, would have been more poignant had it built on this foundation.

A Chance Missed

Marvel's decision to have humanity view the fight from the sidelines was a missed opportunity. Iron Man could have asked Howard Stark about the alien invasion instead of rushing off to protect the city. This moment could have been a subtle nod to the 2012 montage, reminding us that humanity was watching and feeling the weight of the conflict.

Moreover, the cliché of Ross appearing as a war-mongering, formerly disgraced general was an insult to the established themes. A more nuanced approach, where Ross could have been seen as a reluctant ally or a conflicted character, would have added depth to the narrative.

Conclusion

Moved by the prospect of Thanos's actions and seeing the stakes as humanity did in 2012, the audience would have felt the horror of the deaths on an even more profound level. The opportunity to grapple with humanity's failing as much as the heroes' failings was lost. Without this, Avengers: Infinity War missed the mark of greatness, leaving potential for a truly groundbreaking film on the table.

The story of humanity's fate in Avengers should not be forgotten. It is a critical component of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and a pivotal moment in its storytelling. Future narratives should ensure to revisit and build upon these themes to achieve a full and emotional arc.