For those concerned about spoilers, relax, this is my spoiler free review. For those who have already seen the movie, I am writing an in-depth Age of Ultron discussion. Please come back and read the discussion after you have seen the movie.
When Tony Stark and Bruce Banner try to jump-start 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.
Wow, what a film. I would have to watch it several times to process it thoroughly, but I can tell you, it is well worth the money you spend going to see it in theaters. I can guarantee you that my family will be purchasing this movie once it comes out on DVD.
Like with any Marvel movie, this movie fits into a master plan, a magnificent vision that connects every character and storyline. Somehow every single plot thread has a purpose that weaves it into the grand tapestry. The minds behind Marvel movies are absolutely brilliant, and I applaud their genius. I can just see them all now, in some underground base with Stark-level tech, a whole array of cool outfits to "spur their creative genius", and an entire shrine of nerdy film memorabilia. Most likely the actors in these movies have visited this lair, but only after being blindfolded and driven by an unmarked, black car to an undisclosed location. Or maybe I have just seen too many of their movies, and in reality they all work in an office with florescent lighting with a decent coffee pot and a mini-fridge. Regardless, they are brilliant.
There are many aspects of this movie that I did not entirely grasp, hence my reading of several INCREDIBLY geeky articles today that enabled me to put the puzzle pieces together. I suggest if you don't understand something from the movie that you hit the Internet.
What I Loved
I promised no spoilers, so I can't really give any specifics. Again, read my in-depth discussion once you have seen the movie, then we can freak out together. However, I will say a few generalized things.
The writers of this movie did a fantastic job with character development. I often feel like the writers of television shows and movies drop the ball when it come to believable character development. I think that they grow lazy, and rather than observing how people actually develop and evolve as human beings, the writers just make something up that is ridiculous and over-dramatized. Not so with this movie. The writers did a fantastic job showing character development that was believable and sweet. For example, I was concerned that they would do a poor job showing the closer friendship between Cap and Widow that had been developed in
Captain America: The Winter Soldier. I was wrong to doubt them, they did a very nice job with that relationship along with all of the others.
Hawkeye was a very little used Avenger in the first Avengers movie. He actually only had a little over twelve minutes of screen time, and most of that he spent as a puppet to the premier Asgardian diva of our age, Loki. In truth, Hawkeye actually seems to have a decently sized fan base, and I think that the writers of AofU wanted to reward those fans with more of their favorite Marvel archer. Hawkeye fans, this movie should delight and thrill you. Hawkeye in many ways was the anchor that this movie, and his fellow Avengers, needed. We got to see so much more of who he is....and he is awesome.
The global scale of this movie was an excellent way to show just how much this universe has expanded. We saw so many characters that we already know and love, and heard references to many others, some of them new. I know Marvel is working on tying a lot more separate storylines together in future movies, and I love it.
Humor, as always, Marvel does a lovely job of weaving humor throughout their very intense movies. How many times have you laughed over lines like,
"I'm not kissing you!" (Captain America: The First Avenger), "Shakespeare in the park? Doth mother knoweth you weareth her drapes?" (Avengers), and,
"Well done, you just decapitated your grandfather." (Thor: The Dark World) I always look forward to the high class humor that Marvel provides.
Captain America is my sweetheart and a doll, enough said.
I would say so much more, but I promised no spoilers in this review, and I try to keep my word.
What I Didn't Like
It's very hard to say what I didn't like without giving away spoilers. So this will be a short section.
I was not a fan of some of the plot choices, but I cannot say anything about them. Some of the directions taken by the story did not fit my personal preference, and I think I am not alone, but no one can be 100% pleased all of the time.
There was only one end scene!!! Really? I have come to expect at least two end scenes in all of your movies Marvel, how dare you let me down!
My personal movie experience was lessened by the fact that our screen was jerky, and there was a gentleman in our theater who kept coughing whenever a quiet line was said. Really? I do believe sir that a true gentleman would have stayed home if he knew that he was going to be so loud. Oh, and Mr. Shake-My-Candy-Box, you do realize how rude that is right? What, are you afraid to go in after the stray Skittles or Milk Duds with your hand? Are you being prissy about sticky fingers? Bring a hand wipe next time and hush up! But in truth, none of these things are Marvel's fault.
Typically here I would write a section on the characters, but I am going to save that section for my in-depth discussion so that I can truly express all of my feelings.
Overall I would give this movie a 4 1/2 star review. If you are wondering the reason for the half star, well, you will just have to see the movie for yourself.
