Guest Blog: Top 10 Female Empowerment Moments in Avengers: Endgame

Avengers: Endgame is far from your typical chick-flick but it still drew women and little girls to the box office nonetheless. As of this writing, it's earned a whopping $2.76 billion worldwide, including the recent re-release with extra footage. But beyond the numbers, I've always seen this film as not only one of the most culturally-relevant movies of our time but also the most empowering. More so because in this film, compared to previous MCU movies, the women reigned supreme. And I'm not just talking about that goosebumps-inducing A-force scene during the battle.

Here, Marvel's female characters showed strength, power, and love in the most complex of ways. So much so that I listed down their top ten moments. Warning, this post has spoilers.

Black Widow Taking Charge

The earlier scenes in the film, wherein the universe was reeling from Thanos' snap, were admittedly sad. But every time Scarlett Johanson's Black Widow, a.k.a. Natasha Romanoff was onscreen, I couldn't help but feel proud of her. Here she was, the first female Avenger, taking charge of protecting a damaged world almost all on her own. Whereas the other Avengers were having their own dramatic episodes, she was taking her job seriously. And they say that women are too emotional to take on powerful positions! This scene perfectly displays that they're more than capable. And take note, even when she did tear up a few times, she was still calm, composed, and badass!

The Ancient One Handling The Hulk

Speaking of calm and composed, Tilda Swinton's 'The Ancient One' was probably the best manifestation of that in the whole film. In her short but impactful cameo, she puts the Hulk in his place while she protects the Time Stone. Here was this overgrown, green-skinned humanoid and 'The Ancient One' thought nothing of him. She's probably faced worse than him anyways. But even as she interrogates the Hulk, she remains serene and serious. She's not taking any bull, even if it's coming from perhaps one of the mightier Avengers in the lot.

Frigga Comforting Thor

There's really nothing like a mother's love when it comes to powerful women, both in real life and in cinemas, mothers sure do take the cake. This time, it's Frigga, Thor's mother. Rene Russo's portrayal as the Queen of Asgard is as elegant as ever, especially when she comforts her depressed son at his worst state. "Everyone fails at who they're supposed to be, Thor. The measure of a person, of a hero, is how well they succeed at being who they are." she so beautifully said. And with those kind words, one of the most powerful Avengers got his groove back. "I'm still worthy!" Thor excitedly exclaimed. So was Queen Frigga!

Black Widow Sacrificing Herself for the Soul Stone

While fans are divided about which death scene was sadder, Iron Man's or Black Widow's, no one can convince me that the latter's ultimate sacrifice was not impactful. It was one of the most pivotal points in the film, and how she did it was so sophisticated and true to her story arch. As Romanoff battled Barton for the chance to get the Soul Stone, it was so clear to me how devoted the female Avenger was to getting everyone back. And Johansson was also incredible in that scene it'd be a crime not to give her some sort of recognition. She made me want her signature even more, be it on a movie poster or just on my notebook!

Peggy Carter Being a Boss in the 70s

Perhaps what I like most about the MCU in terms of female characters is that there's virtually no such thing as a damsel in distress. Case in point: Peggy Carter. I would have thought losing a guy like Captain America would have emotionally destroyed her, but Agent Carter proved me wrong. The first time Steve Rogers sees her after joining the Avengers, she's become a powerful agent at a government facility. And it's important to note that this was in the 1970s, a time when it was almost impossible to see female employees at such places at all. Yet seeing her there in her office, talking to her subordinates, Captain America (and the audience) knew that his true love ended up alright after all.

Gamora and Nebula’s Sisterhood Onscreen

The bond of sisterhood was just as highlighted in this film as was the fellowship among heroes. Gomorra and Nebula manifested this down to a tee. Here, present-day Nebula convinced 2014 Gomorra that she was on the wrong side of the battle and even though they've been rivals as Thanos's daughters at that point, the latter still trusted her. That kind of "lean on me" relationship was simply heart-warming, especially knowing the tumultuous background between the two characters. Their best scene? I'd say it was when Gomorra saw Starlord again but doesn’t recognize him. "Really? this guy?" she asked. "It was either him or a tree!" replied Nebula.

Valkyrie's War Entrance

The flight of the Valkyrie! I can't deny that every single Avenger that made an entrance in the climax had their own moments, most of which had the audience cheering loudly. But there was something about Valkyrie riding her Pegasus that got my attention. Maybe it reminded me of that opera with the braid-haired Vikings? Or maybe because throughout the MCU, Valkyrie was one of the more underrated characters. Just seeing her charging, practically standing on her pegasus with her spear on hand was just breathtaking. And for her to get that glimpse of a moment, to me, highlighted her vitality to the team.

Scarlett Witch Introducing Herself to Thanos

When Scarlett Witch tells you something, you better listen! Apart from Captain Marvel's scenes (which I'll get to in a bit!), Wanda's reunion with Thanos was perhaps the most powerful female scene in the entire film. She channeled all the anger and resentment onto the villainous titan that she almost destroyed him right then and there. In fact, the pain she brought on to Thanos was so severe that it led him to use his massive spaceship against the Avengers. That's the true power of the Scarlett Witch. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!

Pepper Potts Becoming Iron Woman

Pepper Potts's ultimate power has always been her influence over Tony Stark. But in the battle scene of Avengers: Endgame, she unleashed a hidden might that made her an even better female Avenger. Yes, I think from that moment on, we can refer to Mrs. Stark as an official Avenger. The best part about it was that no one saw it coming. We all figured that, had Stark survived the battle, the ending scene would show him returning to Potts and their daughter for a much-deserved happy ending. But no, as powerful as Iron Man's sacrifice was that his wife was fighting alongside him during his final battle.

Captain Marvel Destroying Thanos’ Ship

Whatever you think of Brie Larson as a person, you can't deny that her Captain Marvel is a true-blue badass. Furthermore, whether you think she's the most powerful avenger or not, you can't deny that she's right up there. This is especially after she single-handedly destroyed Thanos' ship and all his henchmen in it. I'm sure all of us in the theater shared the Titan's expression of awe when that scene happened. It wasn't that pivotal a scene, but it perfectly proved just how powerful Captain Marvel is and the importance to the team. So take that, War Machine!

Did you think these scenes were as stellar as I did? Which for you were the best female empowerment scenes in the movie?

Reviewed by Daniel James from PosterMemorablia.com

Instagram: @postermemorablia

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