*Spoiler free review*

At the end of “Infinity War,” the evil Thanos had wreaked havoc on Earth, by collecting all the Infinity Stones and summoning their power to make much of the globe simply disappear.

When we meet what’s left of the Avengers at the start of “Endgame,” they are a sad bunch, driven by regret, recrimination and survivor’s guilt. Iron Man and Captain America are at odds while Thor has let himself go off with a beer belly.

The first hour or so of “Endgame” is surprisingly and wonderfully downcast. But, of course, this being a superhero movie, things can’t stay that way. Thanks to an idea hatched by Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), the Avengers manage to come up with one more trick up their sleeves.

Of course, this ultimately leads to the big battle scene between our heroes and Thor with his minions where directors Anthony and Joe Russo — working from a script by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely — pull out all of the special-effects but ruin the film’s momentum in the process. The film seriously sags in the middle.

But just when it seems that “Endgame” is going to overdose on effects, the film’s last half-hour reminds us that the core of any movie revolves around characters that people care about.

Though the finale of “Endgame” isn’t as shocking as that of “Infinity War,” its heartfelt grace is equally impressive. And, unlike most other Marvel movies, there are no scenes tucked inside the credits at the end of the film.

Of course, “Endgame” isn’t really an end to everything. After all, “Spider-Man: Far from Home” is due this summer. But if the story arcs that follow this closing chapter can tap more into the emotions that “Endgame” inspires, then all of the CGI firepowers might have been worth it.

Endgame is a better than serviceable finish to the Avenger series, as well as that rare thing — a three-hour movie that deserves three hours.

It feels odd to be talking about this movie at all in terms of quality. “Endgame” becomes just a pretext for gathering, a location for the mass observance.

In that way, it’s almost like it’s not a movie at all, or at least not a movie primarily, but an extension of some other, outside thing. And if you love that thing, then great. But the movie’s quality is almost beside the point. In this context, if you partake of the Marvel universe, this movie is for you no matter what. And if you don’t, seeing it would be like going to a Temple if you’re an atheist — an experience defied of any purpose or definition. In the case of “Endgame,” it’s a fine spectacle, to be sure, the best that money can buy.

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