Better Late Than Never! My Review Of The Avengers: Age Of Ultron...

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

Sorry, Big Guy! Why Another Standalone Hulk Film Won't Work...

So, Mark Ruffalo sent the interwebs into a tizzy earlier this week when he said that he would be interested in making another stand-alone Hulk movie. In an interview with Digital Spy (via Schmoes Know, because that's where I get all of my movie news), Ruffalo confirmed that Marvel is "entertaining the idea." He goes on to say that, prior to the Avengers, it wasn't even a consideration, but that since, it is a possibility.

Ruffalo was fantastic in his portrayal of Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the Avengers. Arguably one of the best parts of the film, his version of The Hulk was what we, as comic-book movie fans, had been waiting for. He managed to bring that perfect balance to the film, both as Bruce Banner and The Hulk. While I wouldn't necessarily be opposed to another stand-alone Hulk film, I completely understand Marvel's hesitation with the property.

So, let's see where we're at, shall we? First there was the The Incredible Hulk TV series that ran on CBS from 1978-1982. Starring Bill Bixby as Bruce Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, it told the origin story of the character and showcased his race to find a cure for his affliction. The series ended with Banner still searching for a cure and running from Jack McGee, the reporter out to unmask his secret. A number of TV movies were made after the series run, culminating in 1990's Death of the Incredible Hulk, where Banner/the Hulk, did in fact die in the end. Generally thought of as a good depiction of the characters, it remains one of the best telling's of the Hulk's story arc.

For his next outing, we have 2003's Ang Lee directed, The Hulk. Starring Eric Bana as Bruce Banner, and for some unknown reason, Ang Lee as the motion-captured Hulk, the film was a disappointment for the studio. It's world-wide box office total was about $245M on a budget of $137M, making it just barely profitable. The reviews for the film were mixed, many citing the altered origin story, depressing story arc for the characters and poor CGI as the reasons for not enjoying the film. While I generally applaud studios for thinking outside the box when it comes to their properties, The Hulk went beyond that, right into off-the-rails territory. The addition of Banner's father and his mutated DNA and the fact that the angrier he got, the bigger the Hulk got were enough to turn even the most die-hard fan off. Which is too bad, because I thought that Eric Bana was the perfect choice for the mild mannered Bruce Banner. Overall, the movie was a huge disappointment to fans everywhere.

So, now it's 2008 and Marvel has begun to plant the seeds of it's cinematic universe with the release of the first Iron Man movie. Quietly on the heels of that release came The Incredible Hulk. Starring Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, this time Marvel skipped over the origins of the character, instead choosing to show how the Hulk came to be in a series of comic-book like panels at the beginning of the film and then jumping directly into the story. Officially considered canon in the MCU, this film had a more stream-lined feel to it, sticking with the more well known origins and motivations of the character. The film was a modest success, making slightly more at the box office than it's predecessor. Overall, I think this was a way better film, and Edward Norton was a competent Bruce Banner, although definitely not my first choice for the role. The villain of the film, The Abomination, was the perfect foe for our unorthodox hero and the fight scenes were out of this world. This film still didn't blow the masses away, however.

By the time that The Avengers rolled around in 2012, Norton had been given the boot, and Ruffalo had been hired to fill Banner's shoes. Playing both Banner and the motion-captured Hulk, Ruffalo stole the show. And that's when it started. Fans rumbling about a new stand-alone Hulk film, this time with Ruffalo at the forefront. Wouldn't it be great? He did such a fantastic job, he could do it again. The Hulk needs his own film... seemingly forgetting that the last two times the studio tried this, no one seemed to care.

There are a number of reasons why a stand-alone Hulk film doesn't work, no matter how hard the studio tries to make it happen. The first, and foremost, is the Hulk himself. When people go to see a superhero, or comic book based movie, if you will, they want to see the comic book character. That's difficult to do in a Hulk stand-alone, if you want to tell any sort of story that doesn't involve the Hulk doing nothing but smashing things for 2 hours. While Tony Stark is Iron Man, Peter Parker is Spiderman and Logan is The Wolverine, Bruce Banner is not the Hulk. They are two separate characters, with extremely different motivations. While they may share the same DNA, Banner has spent every waking moment of his life, since the accident, trying to eradicate the other part of himself. Shockingly enough, the Hulk doesn't want to be eradicated, which puts the two of them at odds with one another, right from the get go. Any significant character development or story arc has to be told from Banner's point of view, leading to more screen time for the man, and less screen time for the beast. While personally this doesn't bother me, I know there are a lot of people out there who would be, and have been, disappointed with that sort of story telling. There's a fine line between too much Banner and not enough Hulk and Marvel, so far hasn't been able to balance it for a full two hour movie. Now, it is possible for the studio to go in the complete opposite direction and do something like a Planet Hulk movie... which, don't get me wrong, would be all sorts of cool and wicked and awesome... but, I also think it might get old, pretty fast. While I like the Hulk character, there isn't a whole lot that can be done with him in regards to character development. And while I know a lot of people would love to see him smash aliens in a gladiator style smack-down, I don't think it would hold water for a full two hours. There has to be a little more substance to it for it to be placed in the same regard as the other films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They've raised the bar, and now, anything less will be considered a failure.

The reason that the Hulk worked, and worked so well, in the Avengers was because he wasn't the main protagonist. When he was on screen, they made the most of it, and that's why we fell in love with him. He was used in the best possible way, but the film wasn't centred around him. He wasn't forced to carry the storyline all the way through, and that's why it was refreshing and bold when he was on the screen. While I have no doubt that eventually we will see another Hulk stand-alone film, I can't see Marvel jumping on board any time soon. I don't think that a Hulk film fits in with their plans, just yet, but I'm sure eventually Bruce Banner will grace the silver screen once again. Let's hope they are able to balance the character's two persona's and that we get the Hulk film that the character deserves.