So, this review is going to contain spoilers for Age Of
Ultron. I figure, if you haven't seen the film by now, you probably aren't
going to, and if you're still reading, then you don’t care if you're spoiled.
Either way, you have been warned…
I think that, going in, everyone’s expectations for The
Avengers: Age Of Ultron were sky-high. The first film was amazing in both its
scope and execution. The result of careful planning and a making sure all of
the pieces were exactly where they needed to be. Sure, the idea looked great on
paper, but how would it work in the real world? Just getting it to the screen
was a feat in and of itself. The fact that the movie was great was just icing
on the cake. But how was the studio going to top it?
According to a lot of people, they couldn't and frankly, didn’t.
But I really do think that’s an unfair assessment. I get the idea that you need
to compare it to something, especially since it’s the second film in a
franchise, but I don't think it’s fair to compare it to the original. As I
stated, the original was special, for many reasons, the main one being that it
was the first of its kind. Never before had a franchise brought together and
used its various characters in such a way. Ultimately, it was a fan boy’s wet
dream. The Avengers, together, on the screen, at the same time. The problem is,
by the time that AoU was released, it had become old hat. There was no shock
and awe at seeing Thor and Captain America working together to defeat evil. No deep
seated need to watch Tony Stark and Bruce Banner brainstorm. Been there, done
that, got the t-shirt.
Ultimately, I think that a lot of folks got caught up in the
comparisons, and found AoU lacking. Is it because it’s not as good? Possibly,
although I would beg to differ. I think that most of it stems from the fact
that people have placed the first Avengers film on a pedestal and are using its
heightened esteem as an excuse. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love The
Avengers. I just don't think it’s the perfect movie that others are making it
out to be, all in an attempt to pull down the Age Of Ultron. I also think that
many people are looking for any excuse to bring the juggernaut down, so they
latched on to the ‘flaws’ of the film and ran with it, head first.
While I don't think that the film is perfect, I will
absolutely admit to loving it. I have seen it twice now and actually found I
enjoyed even more the second time. One of the more vocal issues that folks had
with the film was the pacing. I didn't have a problem with it, with the
exception of the whole Thor storyline. I thought that his part of the story,
which was necessary in order to move the overall story arcs for Ragnarok and
The Infinity War forward, was rushed and choppy and really didn’t make a whole
lot of sense. I think that even five more minutes and a little exposition would
have gone a long way in making it fit into the story a little more seamlessly.
(Rumor has it that originally it was supposed to be Tom Hiddleston’s Loki in
Thor’s dreamlike sequence, which I think would have had a lot more impact,
especially since Thor thinks his brother is dead). Let’s hope that the rumors
of an extended cut on Blu-Ray come to fruition and these scene makes more sense
within the scope of the film.
The other issue that folks seemed to have with the film was
Ultron himself. Many have complained that he wasn't menacing enough, or that he
was too comical. And I get that. (Marvel has always struggled with their
villains and I've even wrote an article at my other ‘job’ about it, which you
can check out here!) Ultimately, he wasn't what I expected either, but I'm okay
with that, because he was still amazing, as was James Spader’s portrayal of
him. I think one of the things that people failed to understand is that he is
nothing more than a petulant child. Out to prove that he is better than and at
the same time, nothing like his ‘father,’ Tony Stark. They also didn't seem to
get his motivations. (Really, she asked, incredulously? Why wouldn't a trip
through the interwebz lead to the decision that we all need to be exterminated?
Have you seen some of the stuff that’s out there?) Again, we're not dealing
with a fully formed being here. Add to that the fact that he’s immature,
volatile and extremely powerful and the Ultron we saw on the screen is the perfect
interpretation of the character. Although Vision actually uses the phrase he was born
yesterday in the film, most people seem to forget that Ultron really isn't that much
older.
What I did love about the film was the character development
of characters that, until now, haven't had the opportunity to shine. I thought the
whole Hawkeye story was lovely. I loved the fact that he had this secret life,
including a pregnant wife and kids, which no one, with the exception of
Natasha, was privy to. The idea brought the character to life for me and I
couldn't be happier that Marvel decided to go this way. One of the things that
fascinated me in the first film was the dynamic between Natasha and Clint. One
of my favorite scenes is the one after Natasha performs her 'cognitive recalibration' on him and they briefly hint at their pasts and relationship. It always made
me curious, and itching for an origin story for the two of them. Now, more
than ever, I would love to see that happen.
Of course, I can't discuss the film without discussing the
newcomers. I think that Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson did a
fantastic job of bringing The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver to life. (Yes, I do
think that Quicksilver in DOFP was amazing, but again, I don't think it’s fair
to compare as the character was used in two completely different ways in each
of the films!) Unfortunately, I had Quicksilver’s death spoiled for me (that’s
what I get for reading comments!) so it was slightly less shocking, but
nonetheless impactful. In a world where we were all convinced Hawkeye was going
to die, it was surprising to see someone else sacrifice themselves for him,
especially given everything that was at stake. While there have been rumblings
that Marvel doesn't have to keep him dead, I think they will, if only
because his death makes The Scarlet Witch a more interesting character. And
then, there was Vision… What can I say other than what an amazing introduction of
such an iconic character. Paul Bettany’s portrayal was spot on and I cannot
wait to see more from him. My big fear, however, is that Thanos is going to be
forced to rip the mind gem out of his head in order to complete his matching
set, which would absolutely not be good! Of course, the Mad Titan with a full
set of gems in the Infinity Gauntlet isn't good either… and I can't wait to see
how it all plays out on screen.
A lot of folks really didn't like the Bruce Banner-Natasha Romanoff relationship and found it forced. Personally, it didn't feel forced to me and I understand Natasha's reasons for find Bruce attractive. Everything in her life has been aggressive and violent, so why wouldn't she seek out the one man who wants nothing more than calm and serene in his life? And no, I have no issue with Betty, because it was pretty obvious at the end of The Incredible Hulk that their relationship was over. And don't get me started on the whole 'monster' controversy! She called herself a monster because she's a trained assassin with red in her ledger, people, not because she couldn't have children. Get your heads out of your asses and think, please!
Also on first viewing, I didn't think there was enough conflict
between Tony and Steve leading up to next year's Civil War, something that I was
really looking forward to, but I've changed my mind. The fight they have just
before Vision is brought to life is pretty knock-down-drag-out. There is
definitely something there, no matter how chummy they seemed at the end and I
can't wait to see how it all plays out. Yes, I get how some people think it’s
hard to care about the stakes, when you know what the plan is for the next 5
years. To them I say, does the end game really matter? Isn't it the journey
that’s the exciting part? Just sit back and enjoy the ride. Marvel has now
proved, with the death of Quicksilver, that they have no problem changing the
game when they need to and I have no doubt they will, provided that it serves the overall story.
Overall, I really liked this film. I think that, with the
exception of a few minor issues, it accomplished what it set out to do. It was
bigger and bolder than the first, while still telling its own story. Mission accomplished. It moved the MCU forward without compromising (for the
most part, anyway) the plot, but still managed to hint at enough to keep even the
most casual fan interested. While I don't think that comic book movies need to
be dumbed down or should just be considered popcorn flicks, I also don't think
they need to explain all the mysteries of the universe, either. As long as a
good time is had, that’s all that counts. And I definitely had a good time. (I
am also counting down the days to the Blu-Ray release so that I can own it and
watch it anytime I want!)
The Avengers: Age Of Ultron 4.5/5
