Avengers: Age of Ultron - Film Review

Avengers: Age of Ultron - Film Review

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Posted 2015-04-23 by Brian Sherlockfollow


Nothing but brilliance attached.

In 2012 the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought together its greatest heroes for the first time in The Avengers, becoming the most successful superhero film of all history. Writer/director Joss Whedon (whose brain children include Buffy and Firefly) made heads turn and thus chose to do it all over again with the sequel of 2015, Avengers: Age of Ultron. Speaking as a devout 'Whedonite', I went to my cheapo cinemas for an early viewing with the highest of expectations... and I wasn't disappointed. Think The Avengers but times it by ten.

Having reunited to take down the ever resilient HYDRA, Ironman (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johanson), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) are victorious, but beginning to feel the wear and tear of 'superhero war'. Thinking it's time to hang up the capes, Ironman and the Hulk opt to come up with a solution.

Said solution is Ultron (James Spader who definitely brings the voice), a peacekeeping program that Ironman believes is the earth's best defence against all things falling from the sky with green skin. The plan is fool proof. However, a little glitch arises when Ultron reasons that the only best solution is to put an end to humanity itself. Teaming up with Pietro and Wanda Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen), two recently empowered orphans with a grudge against Ironman, things only turn from bad to worse.

As it's been written above, Avengers: Age of Ultron is Whedon taking a familiar formular but maximising it in his own special way. Directing, writing, visuals and the cast (other newcomers include Claudia Kim, Linda Cardellini and Andy Serkis) are all great but one element that impresses most is its tone. A darkness has appeared, not like to have been seen in any other MCU flick, and it does not but draw you in; the Avengers all display a side kept dormant until now. Their vulnerability also raises eyebrows.

On the casting side of things, a few standouts need to be acknowledged. These include Hawkeye who, as promised, was utilised more and more as the show went on. The audience really gets a clear picture of who the man with the bow really is and the one liners he can come up with, especially under fire. Jeremy Renner, I believe, gives this film its heart.

Next to him are the twins, each bringing their own flavour and bright colours to the mix. Just got to say that Aaron Taylor-Johnson puts Evan Peters' performance (from X-Men: Days of Future Past) to shame and I'm not but thankful. They gave him a grittiness which made the image more realistic.

With every graceful step she takes, Elizabeth Olsen is also a standout; of all the fearsome women that the MCU has given us, I'm gonna add that she's standing somewhere in the lead. Her performance should be enough to tie fans over until Captain Marvel is released.

With everything said, this is just another accomplishment for the MCU and fans will be laughing and sobbing and getting pissed off at all the right moments. I can't argue with anything 'Whedonesque', even when the man himself is arguing with it (I'm still going to appreciate Alien Resurrection even if he won't), so I'm just gonna give a 5 out of 5 and be done with it. This was Whedon's final contribution as director (for now) and there's nothing but style all around.

Final note, there's only one post credit scene so once you've seen it, you can leave.



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199246 - 2023-06-16 04:48:21

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