Why 'Avengers: Endgame' may be the end of Pre-Woke Era

Avengers: Endgame hits theaters on Friday, and the fourth film in the franchise will likely shatter a few records before the weekend wraps. The film already earned more than $300 million in just two days of international release, and there's a chance Endgame could do the same stateside before Sunday ends.

Avengers: Endgame is the unofficial end of the series' first wave of films. We've seen a few disappointments so far (think Iron Man 3 and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), but the level of excellence has been breathtaking.

What's missing? Hollywood's progressive groupthink. These films focused on storytelling, great characters and themes that resonate across the culture. Heroes. Villains. The power of sacrifice. The nobility of fighting for a common good.

The stories didn't stop cold to send a message or dabble in virtue signaling. That's what we often see across the pop culture landscape. TV shows routinely slip pro-gun control messages into their narratives, for example. And boy, does it show.