The Avengers: Age of Ultron. 2015. Rated PG13. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Scarlet Johannson, Elizabeth Olsen, James Spader, Paul Bellamy. Directed by Joss Whedon.
When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program called Ultron, things go horribly wrong and it's up to Earth's Mightiest Heroes to stop the villainous Ultron from enacting his terrible plans. [IMDb]
Nicole: It's been three years since the first Avengers and in that time Marvel has completely altered the workings of their own universes to keep us fanboys and fangirls on their toes. No complaints. We're totally enjoying the ride. This sequel to the epic blockbuster runs right out of the gate with a breakneck action sequence that involves all principal characters: Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye. Don't blink. It's a mind bender.
elizabeth: Can I straighten my mind bender with a good flat iron? I don’t even know what I mean, but has it been three years? I ain’t a fangirl of this genre but you keep seeing these dumb movies so I have to try yet another intervention on you.
Nicole: I'm intervention-proof. This time around, The Avengers unite to save the world from Ultron one of Stark Enterprises' "programs" gone very, very wrong, very very fast. Ultron wants to destroy the planet and everything on it to start from scratch which, in his mind, is the only way to gain peace. He enlists the help of two "enhanced", who soon become known as Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver (no mention here of their paternity being that of Magneto's, as this is not a Sony franchise; instead their origin is tied to the plot, giving them both reason to side with Ultron's mission).
elizabeth: I have no idea what you just wrote.
Nicole: It's OK. I speak geek. But, what's fabulous about this film is less about the special effects (although stellar, as usual) but the character development. We learn an awful lot this go around about The Avengers...from the budding romance between Hulk and Black Widow to the secretive family life of Hawkeye. Not to mention, the little project Stark's been working on that manages to, oh, completely screw everything up. This film is also pretty heavy on the comedy angle. It's full of one liners you'll be quoting left and right. Particularly adept at the jibs and jabs is Ultron, this movie's mechanical baddie voiced by James Spader. He gives Stark a run for his money in the sarcasm department. But, a good deal of the character development is also a little dark and is provided courtesy of Scarlet Witch. Her powers enable her to access people's fears and turn them into a dreamlike reality. Each of our heroes is treated to one of these trips, and they aren't pretty. Are they glimpses of the future? Are they just insecurities? Only time will tell.
elizabeth: Only time will tell when this review will be over. I am thinking now.
Nicole: Not quite yet. Truth be told, I enjoyed the first crack at the Avengers much more than this sequel. But, that being said, this is a terrific movie. Lots of fun, lots of laughs, great special effects and interesting character development. So-so ending, but I trust Whedon so whatever happens next, I'm on board.
elizabeth: Is it too late to go back to the Age of Aquarius?
The Film Fatales gives THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
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