Avengers: Age of Ultron
Director: Joss Whedon
Cast Headliners: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlet Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo
Original Release Date: May 1st, 2015
When
reviewing the Marvel Cinematic universe, where can one possibly begin? There’s been so many years and installments
in this meta-tale that to even judge its value is a colossal task that only
grows with each new entry in this epic of epics. Avengers: Age of Ultron has some of the
highest stakes in blockbuster history by having to be number two to the amazing
reality breaking crossover excellence that was 2012’s film. Joss Whedon and the
folks at Marvel Studios give it their best, and oh my what a crazy ride that
turns out to be.
One knows that said crazy ride is coming by the
sheer amount of spectacle that occurs before even the title name pops up on
screen. In a perfect breakneck lead-in from Captain America 2, the intro finds
the core Avengers team of Steve Rogers/“Captain America” (Chris Evans), Thor
(Chris Hemsworth), Tony Stark/”Iron Man” (Robert Downey Jr), Bruce Banner/”Hulk”
(Mark Ruffalo), Clint Barton/ “Hawkeye” (Jeremy Renner), and Natasha Romanoff “Black
Widow” (Scarlet Johansson) on a mission to take down Hydra once and for all
(?!?) at mountain fortress of Baron Von Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann in a role
that is basically a spec of a blip on
the massive radar that is this film). Explosions pop off the screen and there’s
superheroic team up moves that will blow one’s mind. There’s hilarious quips
intense stakes, and deep mysteries. This is an event that sort of rivals the
finale of the last film in scale and it’s merely just the appetizer round.
There’s
several aspects that give this film a slightly different identity to the first
film and that great aspect can be found in its additional characters. Fringe-morality
siblings Wanda Maximoff/”Scarlet Witch” (Elizabeth Olsen) and Pietro Maximoff/”Quicksilver
(Aaron-Taylor Johnson) are dually interesting whether they are henchmen or
conflicted rookie heroes. Their powers are quite a fresh sight to behold as
well; with SW’s magic and illusions and QS’s faster-than-visible superspeed
giving a whole new angle to action scenes.
To get into his specifics would be a major spoiler, but mention has to
be made of Vision (Paul Bettany) as
well who steals the scenes he’s in whether it is through minor action, deep
words, or mind-blowingly great powers….
The
Avengers wouldn’t have to come together without a ultimate threat and this time
there’s something incredibly chilling. Tony’s usual experimentation shenanigans
with Loki’s old scepter and his drone suits lead to Ultron (James Spader), a
fast learning and utterly evil robotic overlord. Spader
performed the voice and motion capture for Ultron and it’s excellent from
visual to performance. No matter what “stage of sentience” he’s in there’s
always a deep nuance to how this robot
is characterized. Even though he’s a vicious killer who has a plan that makes
Loki seem tame; he’s far from cold. Spader delivers lines that make one laugh,
make one afraid, and even at times make one feel a slight bit of empathetic
understanding. He’s a thrilling villain who is more than a worthy match for the
Avengers totally deserving of the title. It makes sense he’s a dark spawn of
Iron Man; the heroic charismatic dynamo driving these films.
While
these and other (Andy Serkis as other, other humorous villain Ulysses Klaue in
a small bit foreshadowing 2018’s Black Panther!!!!) additions get large chunks
of the spotlight there is great improvements to the veterans as well. Captain America and Iron Man have some of the
best dramatic moments as their relationship is tenuously tested which may have
future ramifications in addition to the chaos seen here. Black Widow has more
insight into her past shown, and a surprisingly natural romance with Hulk.
Chilling hallucinations courtesy of the Scarlet Witch are some of the best
scenes for those and aid to the film’s darker tone than most in the MCU. Of course, Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson),
Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders), and James
Rhodes/”War Machine” (Don Cheadle) all show up and do their usual support
actions. Yes, it’s a a bit of a lot to handle as all the appearances mentioned
so far isn’t even absolutely everything!
The
one veteran who has been given his big shot in this is Hawkeye. This was an
amazing choice to have been made for prior to this he existed only as a cameo
or a brainwashed villain for the majority of its predecessors. Renner has a lot of hidden talent that is
shown in this movie. He’s funny, he’s got moral lessons to rival Captain
America’s, he’s got mindblowing awesome archery skills. Between his much
larger( near main-protagonist reaching) levels of focus, some of the best jokes
in a movie filled with millions of them, and insights into his past Clint
Barton is a wonderfully memorable part of the experience.
A
good effort is made to differentiate this film from its previous incarnation through
its focus on new characters and dramatic elements. However, it is still a
Avengers film through and through.
Asides from the intricate tone the main directorial response from Joss
Whedon comes through as “more.” Instead
of basically one extended epic action chunk of the film, there’s over three or
four. Things tend to be “extremely crazy” instead of “really crazy.” The humor comes nearly every line but luckily
the writing and pace of it makes it blend seamlessly into the action as is to
be expected. Despite it’s insane ride
of awesome, it loses some slight points because there’s the occasional feeling
of “been there.” Hulk gets angry again and has to fight his teammates. Nick
Fury defends the SHIELD helicarrier control room again. Team members get into fights that involve more
than just words again. There’s scenes of them arguing in a small room
again. While the word “formulaic” is
inappropriate considering the excellent blockbuster spectacle that is most of
the film it can be said that this is “more of the same.”
And
that trait will end up deciding its spot on the overarching tier of Marvel film
quality in the long run. That’s a totally fine thing, as how could one complain
about the comics-to-life masterpieces that are this and Whedon’s otherwork. But
while it raises the stakes, scale, roster count, and visual quality it just 1%
shys from perfection because it isn’t that first time again. Overall, thank you Whedon for making Marvel
dreams come true, and I think new hands will give a fresh perspective as the
scales go further on even higher levels. We’re looking at a world beyond just a
bickering adventuring family, and I’m so ready. Make it even fresher. 9.4 out of 10
No comments:
Post a Comment