AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON Review


It’s here! The film that comic book fans around the world have been waiting for has finally arrived. But has it lived up to it’s hype? Upon leaving the cinema, I was filled with several different emotions, including love, hate and at the end of it all sheer joy, as the words “fine I’ll do it myself!” have become etched into my mind.

Having already established the cast in the first movie, we are thrown right into the action, as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes take on Baron von Strucker and his HYDRA goons. Though this may not be the smoothest of entry points for new fans, it’s certainly a fantastic way to grab viewers attention, as what’s better than seeing Captain America, Thor and Hulk (just to name a few) smash their way through HYDRA forces. That being said, I did feel that things progressed a little too quickly, with the way it lead into the whole Ultron situation feeling a little sudden.

Ultron

This was ultimately the thing that let the film down the most, as following that the plot was hindered by pacing issues, with certain moments feeling too short or too long. That being said, once the film found it’s feet momentum wise, we were in for a hell of a treat, with the mixture of quick paced action, intense drama and light comedy keeping a huge grin on this cinema goers face. The way that the film battles with the concepts of good and evil, and what should be done is also very interesting, as though it’s nothing new, it certainly makes us think. It also allows for some gripping tension as well.

We now enter the eleventh film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that’s not including the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Agent Carter and Daredevil TV shows. So by this time, fans are very familiar with the characters, having already made their opinions on the actors playing them. It was however a new character that stole the show in this movie, and that was Ultron (James Spader). Having been a fan of Spader since I first watched Stargate, I knew he was going to kill it in this role, and though I wasn’t entirely happy with the voice, I felt he brought a real sense of theatrical doom, helping bring the meglomaniac alive in a fun manner.

Hulkbuster

The character development within the team also more than impressed, with the way that Joss Whedon directed, and wrote the whole Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) relationship being a marvel to witness. The tension that stirs between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) also is a testament to Whedon’s creativity, as though it doesn’t go into real depth, it sets Civil War up nicely. Despite all this, I did find Whedon’s script to be once again overrun with comedy, and though I loved it from Ultron (as it reflects Tony), it felt a little forced and overbearing elsewhere.

Overall Avengers: Age of Ultron is a fantastic film, and one of the best to come out of 2015 so far. Yes it had it’s share of problems, and yes certain bits won’t be to everyone’s liking, but it’s bound to bring the comic book community together in a moment of great joy. It’s also a perfect entry point for non-comic fans, as though the fast paced start may not seem inviting, it will have you hooked to remain seated (if the prices of cinema tickets didn’t do this enough).

OUR RATING
8
  • + Ultron is menacing to say the least.
  • + Brilliant teasing.
  • + One Vision.
  • - Pacing issues.