19 Marvel films over the past 10 years have led us to Avengers: Infinity War. Marvel comic books were a big part of my life growing up, and similarly, movies from the Marvel Universe are a part of my children’s lives. We bonded over Iron Man’s personal growth and humor, Captain America’s strength in doing the right thing, Black Widow’s martial arts ability, and Black Panther’s technological brilliance and breaking down barriers. I could go on and on.
Many of those 19 movies were watched at home. My oldest is 13 and the first Marvel film he watched in the theater was the first Avenger’s movie. He was 8 when he saw that movie, and he was fine throughout the film. The first Avenger’s movie had some difficult moments and deaths but lacked a certain level of intensity and darkness that accompanied later Marvel movies. As the years passed, the movies got bigger, more intense, more violent, and darker. Avenger’s Infinity War is Marvel’s most violent (not counting Deadpool) and darkest movie to date.
There is a lot going on in Avenger’s Infinity War and the movie takes place throughout space. One scene happens on earth, then the next jumps to heroes battling it out somewhere in deep space. Because there are so many heroes, each one gets their moment. That means there are a lot of violent moments. As you can expect with a Marvel superhero movie, there’s a lot of fighting, explosions, and deaths. There’s probably a Marvel Universe record here regarding fights and deaths.
The fighting isn’t what will keep me from letting my 6-year-old watch. From the beginning of the movie to the end credits, this movie is intense. Yes, there is the usual humor that accompanies Marvel films, but I don’t want my youngest son wrapped up in knots for 2 hours. For those that get pulled into movies and are attached to characters, you will be on an emotional rollercoaster. That’s not a ride I want my little one to be on.
Another reason I will not let my youngest one watch is because of two torture scenes I know he will have trouble watching. He’s a sensitive kid and seeing someone tortured is not something I want on his mind before he goes to sleep.
There are more curse words and crude language in this film, but what can you expect when Peter Quill and Tony Stark are in the same movie. There wasn’t anything that I thought was over the top, but the language was there and mostly used in comedic ways. I don’t want my 6-year-old to hear people laughing at swear words and thinking they are acceptable to use.
In a nutshell:
Language: More than the other Marvel movies. If you were fine with both Guardians of the Galaxy movies, you’ll probably be fine with this one.
Scary images: There are scary looking aliens doing horrible things. They kill, torture, and look menacing. There are also dog-like creatures that could scare sensitive viewers.
Violence: I mentioned this is the most violent Marvel film, right? There’s no comparison here. In the first 5 minutes, people fight, die, and you come face to face with scary characters and the movie doesn’t let up.
Sex: None.
As I have said in previous reviews, parents know their kids better than anyone. If your kid has watched all the Marvel films with no issues, then they’ll probably be okay with this movie. Did Dormammu in Doctor Strange scare them? Did Agent Coulson’s death in The Avenger’s bother them? Was the fight scene between T’Challa and Killmonger in Black Panther too intense? If yes to those questions, then sit this one out.
Because we are fans of the superhero genre, I would have taken my kids to see this movie at 10 years-old, but not before that age. I’m not even going to let my 6-year-old watch Avengers: Infinity War when it comes out on video. We’ll wait a few years on this one.
Final Thoughts:
I loved Avengers: Infinity War. When it was announced these great characters would be in one movie, I was excited, but also afraid it would be a mess. Since the movie takes place on earth and throughout space, each character gets their own moment in the sun. Infinity War isn’t my favorite Marvel movie, but it’s in the top 5.
My 13-year-old accompanied me for the first viewing, and I’m going back with my 11-year-old. Enjoy the film, applaud with your fellow moviegoers, but you might want to see the movie before your kids.
Avengers: Infinity War is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references.