Summer at the movies is about big-budget blockbusters and things that go boom at the box office. It’s about sequels and prequels and the biggest stars in the business. It’s also been about superheroes and this year is no exception as Avengers: Age of Ultron rolls into a multiplex near you.
The current state of the Avengers finds Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow and Hawkeye hard at work running down Loki’s sword. Upon securing the sword, Tony Stark realizes that the project HYDRA was working on was much more advanced than they had thought. Now Stark wants to use what they found to try to enhance a peacekeeping program that he had worked on. But in his efforts to protect the world, he may have just opened up the door to a battle with a most formidable opponent, Ultron.
As a scientist, Tony Stark has always tried to innovate. He wants to be on the leading edge of every trend. He’s tried to create a safety net for the Earth, to no avail. With this new find, he has discovered an artificial intelligence like nothing he has ever seen. Without the agreement of most of the other Avengers, Bruce Banner excluded, he proceeds to try to create an unprecedented defense system. The result of this could very well backfire and be the undoing of the Avengers themselves, who are driven into hiding by two new arrivals.
Who are these mysterious and very powerful individuals? We know they volunteered to work with HYDRA. We know the man moves so fast that it is virtually impossible to see him coming, while the woman is able to enter the minds of even the strongest individuals. There is a history, and they are out to even the score with Tony Stark and the rest of the superheroes, but can they see past their internal rage to the real mission of Ultron?
The Avengers must regroup, refocus and reengage with this new threat if they are going to save the world from extinction.
The kickoff film of summer 2015 tends to set the tone for what might be ahead, and if that is the case with Avengers: Age of Ultron, we are in for a spectacular ride this year. Everything you want in a summer blockbuster is here for your enjoyment.
This film does not need any backstory, and so we just get right to it. From the moment the film rolls, it’s easy to see this will be an action thrill ride for two hours and that is the way we like it; seatbelts should be provided.
There is witty banter, things blow up and, well, things blow up. Hulk smashes, Stark snarks, Hawkeye fires and, well, you get the drift. Everything you have come to love about these superheroes is present, alongside a story that is just serviceable enough.
The addition of Elizabeth Olsen to this film is a sight to see in the role of Scarlet Witch. She brings with her a freshness and talent that emanates throughout her time onscreen. But let’s face it — the Avengers are why we’ve come to the party.
Robert Downey Jr.’s snark in the role of the affable billionaire Tony Stark is spot on. He delivers the jokes on cue, all while taking over some of the leadership qualities that we only hope to see for this group.
Chris Evans is the stable one of the bunch. From Captain America’s gentle reminder about language in the opening sequence, you know he is there to keep this wild group intact. Evans is able to do something special with the role.
Mark Ruffalo delivers the tortured yet naive soul that is Bruce Banner. Banner’s interactions with Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff demonstrate he’s just a normal guy behind the genius doctor and aggressive Hulk.
Am I gushing about this enough yet?
I haven’t even talked about Jeremy Renner’s quiet and solid performance as Hawkeye or the still-learning strong performance of Thor by Chris Hemsworth. That’s saying something.
With iconic characters like Iron Man, Captain America and the rest of the crew, it would have been easy to take a shortcut with the acting talent and just put anyone in the roles (let’s face it, we still would have watched). But what elevates all of the films within the Avengers franchise is the fact that we bring amazingly talented people to the table to portray iconic characters. It’s those actors who take this film from the level of fun summer action blockbuster to larger-than-life memorable film event.
While I feel the film ran a little long, the action never bored and the story didn’t allow for wandering.
Director Joss Whedon is able to keep multiple subplots moving and integrate them in such a way that I found myself interested in the outcome of all of the different pieces that developed.
When these Avengers assemble again, I will be first in line. And the Avengers WILL return.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Robert Downey Jr.,
Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo
Director: Joss Whedon