By Michael Ceron in Opinion
“The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” directed by Joss Whedon, follows earth’s mightiest heroes as they battle a new artificial intelligence villain, Ultron.
Ultron, who was created by Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Bruce Banner (The Hulk), proves to be the most formidable foe the super team has faced.
All of the original Avengers have reprised their roles, and the audience is introduced to two new Avengers in Pietro (Quicksilver) and Wanda (Scarlet Witch) Maximoff.
The action sequences are spectacular, from the first action packed raid on Baron Von Strucker’s fortress, to the final confrontation with Ultron. All of the hero’s abilities are on display, and the fight sequences flow well.
A standout role in the film is Ultron. James Spader shines as he provides the voice for the villain. Spader portrays Ultron in a believable and riveting way through dry humor and moments of intense rage.
Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson provide strong performances as the tortured Maximoff twins. Playing orphaned siblings who volunteered to be experimented on, Olsen and Taylor-Johnson show a strong bond that can be felt throughout the movie.
The movie proves to be a strong sequel, however a few moments felt forced. The attempted romance between Black Widow and the Hulk seemed to only be appropriate as a break from action scenes, not so much as a genuine love story.
In that same vein, there were attempts to capture the same quotable and energetic moments from the first film. These moments seemed more forced than organic, and because of that they fell short.
Overall “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is almost exactly what you’d expect. An over-the-top, adrenaline fueled, summer blockbuster meant to show off the power of Marvel’s greatest franchises.
Thanks to Whedon’s direction and strong performances from secondary characters, the film carries itself through the less than stellar moments. Because of this, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is thoroughly enjoyable to watch, and a welcome addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
