Even as a casual Marvel fan, it’s clear from a million miles away just how ambitious Avengers: Doomsday is. When Marvel announced the cast using chairs with the actors’ names on them, you knew this project was going to be huge. Potentially one of the biggest cinematic events we’ve ever seen.
You’ve got so many different factions. The Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, the original X-Men, former members of the Avengers, newer characters like Shang-Chi, and so much more. The film is shaping up to be so big that watching it just once almost doesn’t feel like enough. In fact, I’ve already booked myself two screenings on the same day.
I’ll be seeing it in the morning with my wife, followed by another screening in the evening with my brother. I remember walking out of the cinema after films like Infinity War, Endgame and No Way Home, thinking to myself that I could quite happily walk straight back in and watch them all over again.
This time, I’ve planned ahead.
You can already see from the trailers just how much we’re going to need to absorb in a single sitting. From the original X-Men and the destruction surrounding them, to Thor reuniting with Steve Rogers and even going one-on-one against Doctor Doom. There’s so much happening that I genuinely wonder how much we’ll miss during that first viewing. Sometimes, you’re so caught up in the excitement of what’s happening on screen that you don’t fully appreciate everything until you watch it again.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that Doomsday turns out to be terrible, and I’ll spend the afternoon dreading the fact that I’ve still got another screening booked with my brother. Although, I’m fairly confident that won’t be the case. Early rumours surrounding test screenings have reportedly been positive, and while that doesn’t guarantee anything, it’s certainly encouraging.
Think about those cinematic moments that practically pull us out of our seats. Captain America lifting Mjolnir, Thor arriving in Wakanda during Infinity War, the portals opening in Endgame, or Andrew Garfield and Tobey Maguire returning in No Way Home. Some could argue that the magic disappears after the first viewing, but I don’t think that’s the case. If anything, I think a second viewing makes those moments even better because you’ve already had time to take everything in.
There’s also something special about being surrounded by Marvel fans who are just as excited as you are, all being completely blown away and entertained by what’s happening on screen. I desperately wanted to experience that atmosphere at a midnight screening of Doomsday, but unfortunately, none of the cinemas around me had a 12:01am showing on the 16th. Strangely enough, plenty had screenings at 12:01am on the 17th instead, which was a shame.
Ultimately, Avengers: Doomsday has the potential to be one of the biggest cinematic events we’ve ever experienced. With so many characters, storylines and potentially unforgettable moments coming together, it’s difficult to imagine taking everything in during a single viewing.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that Doomsday will deliver the same magic as Infinity War, Endgame or No Way Home. However, that’s part of the excitement. We don’t know which moments will leave us speechless, which characters will steal the show or what surprises Marvel has waiting for us.
All I know is that I’ve walked out of the cinema far too many times wishing I could turn around and experience it all over again. This time, I’m making sure I have that opportunity. And if Doomsday delivers even half of what I’m hoping for, I have a feeling that two screenings might not be enough either.
