You've probably heard of Avengers: Infinity War. The latest under the hugely successful Marvel brand (Cinematic Universe to the fans), the film brings together most of the heroes cultivated in the last ten years to take on a threat of cosmic proportions: Thanos. Teased at the end of the very first Avengers, and a presence felt in several films since, the film revolves around the heroes trying to stop Thanos from collecting the Infinity Stones, which if brought together will give the villain phenomenal cosmic power.

The film in traditional terms is a mess. There are approximately 15 plot strands, with the film lacking a beginning or a middle (there's an end in there, which is a deliciously dark one - no spoilers here). There are too many characters for there to be any major development, and instead the film settles for the occasional satisfying character beat. It is exhaustingly busy, and yet much of the middle feels like business (go to A to retrieve B to take to C to insert into D to turn E on). A braver film would have cut a third of this film out and made it a tighter, more propulsive experience.

And yet the film understands its audience. For the fans there is rich brio here, moments and interactions that have been craved since the cinematic brand launched ten years ago with Iron Man. The Russo Brothers, their third time directing a Marvel film, should be commended for even managing to marshal this epic into something approaching an enjoyable viewing experience. Infinity War is at its best when it surprises: an early dread-filled scene sets the stakes, which are amplified by a curiously satisfying villain in Thanos (commendable work by Josh Brolin). His journey is the constant through the movie, with only Chris Hemsworth's Thor coming close to a second narrative arc. And who knew that we would need a Thor and Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper's Guardians of the Galaxy character) spin-off? They make a great pair and I plan to start a petition for this film to become a reality.

Fair warning. If you're only an occasional Marvel viewer, do not watch Infinity War. You'll spend much of the film baffled as to what is going on. And if you are a particular fan of Thor: Ragnarok or Black Panther, you will probably feel short-changed with how this film follows those two. But for those who have been dedicated and true to the brand, this is the film they've been waiting for. By the time Infinity War reaches its climax I'd found myself won over and curious as to just how Marvel will follow up this film without short-changing proceedings.

I came into this movie having thoroughly enjoyed Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok last year and being a fan of many of the offerings from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the ‘MCU’) since Iron Man first introduced this franchise in its current guise back in 2008. It has been heralded for some time that there was a wider story arc in the MCU working away in the background, which has inexorably led to this culmination.

I don’t think it’s a terrible spoiler to say that this is part 1 of a two-part saga. The follow-up movie is scheduled for release in May 2019, and is at present untitled to avoid a spoilers being revealed through its title. The ambition of this project is amazing, and for this viewer I think it is on the way to being realised. Such is the scale of the saga that its running time of 146 minutes can only get us part way along.

Various strands are already out there. From watching the various Captain America and Iron Man interactions we know all is not well among the Avengers. In the mythology of Asgaard, Thor, Loki and Hulk have been off Earth following their own adventures; the incredible success of Black Panther is still resonating in cinemas, and the magical Dr Strange has been set up with the abilities to manipulate time and space. In true comic book style, the Guardians of the Galaxy seemed wholly disconnected to the wider MCU being set in another part of the universe but it served to introduce us to the character of Thanos who becomes the ultimate nemesis at the heart of this adventure.

As with any good saga, these diverse stories are pulled together on the back of an origin story of long, long ago leading up to the present and a quest to find 6 infinity stones that were scattered at the formation of the universe. Bringing all together would mean ultimate power and control of life and death for whomever holds all the stones. Using an Infinity Gauntlet with 6 settings, we encounter Thanos hunting across the cosmos to get hold of this treasure.

This sets up the challenge for our heroes to set aside petty disagreements in order to come together, search and find other heroes, fight evil, encounter and escape from peril, until we come together for a final battle and... well, that’d be telling. Let’s just say there is an epic conclusion. If you are a fan of the Battle for Helms Deep in the Lord of the Rings trilogy then you won’t be disappointed here.

With over 60 speaking parts and 22 superheroes in play, it would be easy for the story to lack any cohesion. However, the writers have focused around key characters of Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man, Benedict Cumberbatch’s Dr Strange, Tom Holland’s Spider Man and Chris Pratt’s Star Lord. Their interactions still show that essential humour which characterising the MCU heroes/heroines, even in the face of homicidal and sometimes genocidal peril.

After ten years of Marvel films, the available screen time for smaller character stories is limited. We get diversions with Thor’s search for a hammer; Bruce Banner struggles to control his alter-ego, Hulk; but Black Widow, Captain America and Black Panther feature but don’t really get much of a look in.

There will be time for reflection over the next year as we get trailers and teasers for Avengers 4; directors Joe and Anthony Russo will have their faithful followers straining to work out what happens next.

All we are told, 'Thanos will return'. I’ll be waiting!