Avengers: Endgame Vs Game of Thrones Season 8
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VOICE OVER: Rebecca Brayton
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
In 2019, two of the biggest franchises in popular culture reached major milestones. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we pit “Avengers: Endgame” against “Game of Thrones” Season 8. Both served as climatic events in stories that have been unfolding for years, but which one was the most satisfying? Let's find out… oh, and obviously there will be spoilers!
Watch the video at http://www.WatchMojo.com
Watch the video at http://www.WatchMojo.com
Avengers: Endgame VS GoT Season 8
In 2019, two of the biggest franchises in popular culture reached major milestones. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be pitting “Avengers: Endgame” against “Game of Thrones” Season 8.
Both served as climatic events in stories that have been unfolding for years, but which one was the most satisfying? Let’s find out… oh, and obviously there will be spoilers!
Round 1: Action
While “Endgame” is laced with vibrant action throughout, the Russos save the big guns for Act 3. The final battle starts relatively modest in scale as Thanos confronts Tony Stark, Thor, and Steve Rogers. Just when you think seeing Captain America wield Mjolnir is going to be the most applause-worthy moment, a series of portals open up around the destroyed Avengers facility. Virtually every hero from the MCU emerges, including those who had vanished in the snap. Between these two armies changing into combat, Captain Marvel literally crashing in, and Iron Man’s final act of heroism, each character contributes something special to this ingeniously-choreographed showdown.
“Game of Thrones’” final season reserved its action for two of its six episodes, both under the direction of “Battle of the Bastards” director Miguel Sapochnik. The first came in Episode 3, “The Long Night” – an appropriate title since this was the longest battle in television or film history. It’s 82 minutes of epic intensity as the Army of the Dead finally clashes with the Army of the Living. While the episode received some criticism for its dark lighting, the action is among the show’s finest nonetheless. Jon and Daenerys fend off the Night King in an exhilarating dragon battle, Lyanna makes the ultimate sacrifice to defeat a wight giant, and Arya delivers a final blow that had us all in awe. In Episode 5, “The Bells,” what begins as a battle quickly turns into a massacre, and one of the most destructive episodes in the series’ history. While fan reaction to both episodes was mixed, even the harshest of critics can’t deny the incredible production achievement of these episodes.
The Battle of Winterfell is more nerve-wracking, at times even veering into horror territory, and the Battle of Kings Landing is almost a Kaiju movie in disguise. The Battle of Earth, by contrast, is brighter and more bombastic, but certainly not without its moments of sheer dread. This may be the hardest round to call, but the action in “Endgame” ultimately delivers more variety, color, and imagination. Point goes to the Avengers!
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 1 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 2: Character Development
Being the 22nd film in a cinematic universe that’s been expanding for over a decade, “Endgame” had a ton of characters to juggle. The first act is actually more character-driven than it is action-driven, as our heroes reflect on the mistakes they’ve made, the trauma they’ve endured, and the risks they must take to set everything right. Even characters who’ve been downplayed in the past, such as Clint Barton and Nebula, are given more development than ever before. Thanos, meanwhile, cements his status as the MCU’s best villain, further demonstrating that he doesn’t care about power, but bringing balance to the universe in his way.
Similar to “Endgame,” the first two episodes of “Game of Thrones” Season 8 put an emphasis on characters over action. These episodes are full of powerful character moments, particularly when Jaime knights Brienne. The walls begin to crumble after the Night King’s defeat, however, and the most controversial move was Daenerys’ impulsive decision to torch King’s Landing. We get that Dany was overcome with grief, anger, and rejection, but we simply didn’t see enough to justify her transition from the Breaker of Chains to the Mad Queen.
“Avengers: Endgame” and “Game of Thrones” both have such large casts that we can’t touch upon every character. Between the two, however, pretty much everyone in “Endgame” is given just enough screen time and each character walks away with more layers. In “Game of Thrones,” main characters are either underutilized or make frustrating choices that feel rushed and unearned. That’s another point for “Endgame!”
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 2 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 3: Pacing
“Endgame” starts strong as our heroes deal with the fallout of “Infinity War.” Audiences tend to take a bathroom break in the middle where the story begins to tread on familiar territory. The film more than compensates for those slower moments in the grand finale, which proves just how far the MCU has come since the first “Avengers” movie. The film also does a great job playing with our expectations while still delivering what we want to see. Nobody expected Thanos to be killed within the first half hour, but the Mad Titan returns for the climax in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
The final season of “Game of Thrones” is more like two seasons crammed into six episodes. The first half covers the Night King’s arrival at Winterfell and – although this storyline can come off as rushed – it does offer solid buildup and a satisfying payoff. The second half, however, flips a coin at the eleventh hour, spontaneously turning Dany to madness. Considering that Daenerys had been a beacon of empowerment and hope up until this point, the showrunners needed at least another season to flesh out this twist. Instead, it’s shoehorned into the final three episodes, leaving a lot to be desired.
At just over three hours, “Avengers: Endgame” hits virtually all the notes it needs to. Even if certain scenes drag a little, there isn’t anything glaring we’d insist on changing or editing out. “Game of Thrones” Season 8 gets off to a promising start, but plays its trump card too early, drops the ball on several storylines, and leaves many questions unanswered, despite having over seven hours to wrap everything up. The winner is once again “Endgame.”
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 3 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 4: Deaths
We all figured that the snapped victims would make a comeback in “Endgame.” In order for this to feel justified, though, a couple of heroes had to pay the price. Audiences were split over Natasha’s death. Some thought it was a noble sacrifice while others believed it was a lackluster end to such a badass heroine. At least fans can agree that Tony’s final moment was equally tragic and triumphant, sending him off on just the right note. While Steve doesn’t die, it still feels like we’re saying goodbye since actor Chris Evans has been phased out of the role, completing Cap’s story arc in bittersweet fashion.
While “Game of Thrones” is no stranger to killing off characters, the abrupt way Missandei, Rhaegal, and Varys all exited left a bitter taste in our mouths. You could argue that the Night King’s death was also sudden. Considering that he was never the most complex villain, though, it makes sense that he’d perish in a fashion similar to Sauron. Alas, the same can’t be said about Cersei and Jaime, who are unceremoniously crushed by rocks. Jon’s decision to murder Dany could’ve been an emotional highpoint with better buildup, but it’s executed far too hastily and leaves no time for anyone’s actions to sink in.
It’s never easy watching a beloved character die, but we can accept the pain as long as the death is warranted. “Avengers: Endgame” gives its characters the exits they deserve while “Game of Thrones” Season 8 treats certain characters like they’re disposable. This point belongs to “Endgame.”
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 4 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 5: Ending
With so many characters and plotlines, “Avengers: Endgame” should collapse under its own ambitions. Yet, the film not only manages to tell a thoroughly involving story but also wraps up the Infinity Saga to near perfection. Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, who’ve been at the forefront of this cinematic universe since Phase 1, are given especially fitting farewells. While this is the end of an era, the MCU is far from over. The conclusion of “Endgame” sets up a few new storylines, like Thor joining the Guardians of the Galaxy and Peter Parker reintegrating into his old life, generating hype while also providing closure.
While it wasn’t always smooth sailing, “Game of Thrones” seemed to be heading towards a worthy conclusion until we got to the final hours. Dany’s attack on King’s Landing in particular opened up a can of worms that couldn’t be closed with just one episode remaining. In the finale alone, Drogon destroys the Iron Throne and disappears with Daenerys’ body, Jon is sent to the Night’s Watch for her murder, and Bran is declared king, none of which feels earned. A couple of characters like Tyrion, Arya, and Sansa are given suitable enough endings, and the idea of Jon going North of the Wall to live among the Wildlings is an interesting idea, but the finale on the whole suddenly has us less excited for that “Game of Thrones” prequel.
Only time will tell if author George R. R. Martin can do a better job at fleshing out the ideas this final season was trying to get across. In any case, this is bound to go down as one of the most disappointing endings to one of the greatest shows of all time. “Endgame,” on the other hand, will be remembered as a textbook example of how to cap off an epic saga. It’s a clean sweep for “Avengers: Endgame,” which snaps “Game of Thrones” Season 8 into oblivion with a final score of 5 to 0.
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 5 / GoT Season 8 0
In 2019, two of the biggest franchises in popular culture reached major milestones. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be pitting “Avengers: Endgame” against “Game of Thrones” Season 8.
Both served as climatic events in stories that have been unfolding for years, but which one was the most satisfying? Let’s find out… oh, and obviously there will be spoilers!
Round 1: Action
While “Endgame” is laced with vibrant action throughout, the Russos save the big guns for Act 3. The final battle starts relatively modest in scale as Thanos confronts Tony Stark, Thor, and Steve Rogers. Just when you think seeing Captain America wield Mjolnir is going to be the most applause-worthy moment, a series of portals open up around the destroyed Avengers facility. Virtually every hero from the MCU emerges, including those who had vanished in the snap. Between these two armies changing into combat, Captain Marvel literally crashing in, and Iron Man’s final act of heroism, each character contributes something special to this ingeniously-choreographed showdown.
“Game of Thrones’” final season reserved its action for two of its six episodes, both under the direction of “Battle of the Bastards” director Miguel Sapochnik. The first came in Episode 3, “The Long Night” – an appropriate title since this was the longest battle in television or film history. It’s 82 minutes of epic intensity as the Army of the Dead finally clashes with the Army of the Living. While the episode received some criticism for its dark lighting, the action is among the show’s finest nonetheless. Jon and Daenerys fend off the Night King in an exhilarating dragon battle, Lyanna makes the ultimate sacrifice to defeat a wight giant, and Arya delivers a final blow that had us all in awe. In Episode 5, “The Bells,” what begins as a battle quickly turns into a massacre, and one of the most destructive episodes in the series’ history. While fan reaction to both episodes was mixed, even the harshest of critics can’t deny the incredible production achievement of these episodes.
The Battle of Winterfell is more nerve-wracking, at times even veering into horror territory, and the Battle of Kings Landing is almost a Kaiju movie in disguise. The Battle of Earth, by contrast, is brighter and more bombastic, but certainly not without its moments of sheer dread. This may be the hardest round to call, but the action in “Endgame” ultimately delivers more variety, color, and imagination. Point goes to the Avengers!
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 1 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 2: Character Development
Being the 22nd film in a cinematic universe that’s been expanding for over a decade, “Endgame” had a ton of characters to juggle. The first act is actually more character-driven than it is action-driven, as our heroes reflect on the mistakes they’ve made, the trauma they’ve endured, and the risks they must take to set everything right. Even characters who’ve been downplayed in the past, such as Clint Barton and Nebula, are given more development than ever before. Thanos, meanwhile, cements his status as the MCU’s best villain, further demonstrating that he doesn’t care about power, but bringing balance to the universe in his way.
Similar to “Endgame,” the first two episodes of “Game of Thrones” Season 8 put an emphasis on characters over action. These episodes are full of powerful character moments, particularly when Jaime knights Brienne. The walls begin to crumble after the Night King’s defeat, however, and the most controversial move was Daenerys’ impulsive decision to torch King’s Landing. We get that Dany was overcome with grief, anger, and rejection, but we simply didn’t see enough to justify her transition from the Breaker of Chains to the Mad Queen.
“Avengers: Endgame” and “Game of Thrones” both have such large casts that we can’t touch upon every character. Between the two, however, pretty much everyone in “Endgame” is given just enough screen time and each character walks away with more layers. In “Game of Thrones,” main characters are either underutilized or make frustrating choices that feel rushed and unearned. That’s another point for “Endgame!”
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 2 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 3: Pacing
“Endgame” starts strong as our heroes deal with the fallout of “Infinity War.” Audiences tend to take a bathroom break in the middle where the story begins to tread on familiar territory. The film more than compensates for those slower moments in the grand finale, which proves just how far the MCU has come since the first “Avengers” movie. The film also does a great job playing with our expectations while still delivering what we want to see. Nobody expected Thanos to be killed within the first half hour, but the Mad Titan returns for the climax in a way that doesn’t feel forced.
The final season of “Game of Thrones” is more like two seasons crammed into six episodes. The first half covers the Night King’s arrival at Winterfell and – although this storyline can come off as rushed – it does offer solid buildup and a satisfying payoff. The second half, however, flips a coin at the eleventh hour, spontaneously turning Dany to madness. Considering that Daenerys had been a beacon of empowerment and hope up until this point, the showrunners needed at least another season to flesh out this twist. Instead, it’s shoehorned into the final three episodes, leaving a lot to be desired.
At just over three hours, “Avengers: Endgame” hits virtually all the notes it needs to. Even if certain scenes drag a little, there isn’t anything glaring we’d insist on changing or editing out. “Game of Thrones” Season 8 gets off to a promising start, but plays its trump card too early, drops the ball on several storylines, and leaves many questions unanswered, despite having over seven hours to wrap everything up. The winner is once again “Endgame.”
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 3 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 4: Deaths
We all figured that the snapped victims would make a comeback in “Endgame.” In order for this to feel justified, though, a couple of heroes had to pay the price. Audiences were split over Natasha’s death. Some thought it was a noble sacrifice while others believed it was a lackluster end to such a badass heroine. At least fans can agree that Tony’s final moment was equally tragic and triumphant, sending him off on just the right note. While Steve doesn’t die, it still feels like we’re saying goodbye since actor Chris Evans has been phased out of the role, completing Cap’s story arc in bittersweet fashion.
While “Game of Thrones” is no stranger to killing off characters, the abrupt way Missandei, Rhaegal, and Varys all exited left a bitter taste in our mouths. You could argue that the Night King’s death was also sudden. Considering that he was never the most complex villain, though, it makes sense that he’d perish in a fashion similar to Sauron. Alas, the same can’t be said about Cersei and Jaime, who are unceremoniously crushed by rocks. Jon’s decision to murder Dany could’ve been an emotional highpoint with better buildup, but it’s executed far too hastily and leaves no time for anyone’s actions to sink in.
It’s never easy watching a beloved character die, but we can accept the pain as long as the death is warranted. “Avengers: Endgame” gives its characters the exits they deserve while “Game of Thrones” Season 8 treats certain characters like they’re disposable. This point belongs to “Endgame.”
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 4 / GoT Season 8 0
Round 5: Ending
With so many characters and plotlines, “Avengers: Endgame” should collapse under its own ambitions. Yet, the film not only manages to tell a thoroughly involving story but also wraps up the Infinity Saga to near perfection. Tony Stark and Steve Rogers, who’ve been at the forefront of this cinematic universe since Phase 1, are given especially fitting farewells. While this is the end of an era, the MCU is far from over. The conclusion of “Endgame” sets up a few new storylines, like Thor joining the Guardians of the Galaxy and Peter Parker reintegrating into his old life, generating hype while also providing closure.
While it wasn’t always smooth sailing, “Game of Thrones” seemed to be heading towards a worthy conclusion until we got to the final hours. Dany’s attack on King’s Landing in particular opened up a can of worms that couldn’t be closed with just one episode remaining. In the finale alone, Drogon destroys the Iron Throne and disappears with Daenerys’ body, Jon is sent to the Night’s Watch for her murder, and Bran is declared king, none of which feels earned. A couple of characters like Tyrion, Arya, and Sansa are given suitable enough endings, and the idea of Jon going North of the Wall to live among the Wildlings is an interesting idea, but the finale on the whole suddenly has us less excited for that “Game of Thrones” prequel.
Only time will tell if author George R. R. Martin can do a better job at fleshing out the ideas this final season was trying to get across. In any case, this is bound to go down as one of the most disappointing endings to one of the greatest shows of all time. “Endgame,” on the other hand, will be remembered as a textbook example of how to cap off an epic saga. It’s a clean sweep for “Avengers: Endgame,” which snaps “Game of Thrones” Season 8 into oblivion with a final score of 5 to 0.
WINNER: Avengers: Endgame 5 / GoT Season 8 0
