Avengers: Age Of Ultron Review

Introduction (Warning Contains Spoilers)

With an extended version of Avengers: Endgame coming to cinemas this September, Marvel is attracting renewed attention.

Avengers: Doomsday is also scheduled to arrive in December. That makes this the perfect time for another journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

We have decided to revisit the Marvel films in chronological order. Our journey now brings us to 2015 and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

It is the sequel to 2012’s hugely successful The Avengers. Joss Whedon returns as director and writer.

Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark and Iron Man. Chris Evans returns as Steve Rogers and Captain America. Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor.

Mark Ruffalo returns as Bruce Banner and the Hulk. Scarlett Johansson returns as Natasha Romanoff and Black Widow. Jeremy Renner returns as Clint Barton and Hawkeye.

This time the Avengers face a completely new threat. Ultron is an artificial intelligence constructed via Tony Stark’s research. He is voiced by James Spader.

The primary function of Ultron is related to Earth’s safety. But Ultron interprets the task as highly dangerous.

Namely, Ultron realizes that humanity poses the biggest threat. He therefore decides that humanity must be destroyed.

The Avengers must once again unite to prevent a global catastrophe. However, the sequel is not simply another battle between heroes and villains.

The film attempts to explore the consequences of the Avengers’ previous victory. The Heroes have saved New York.

But they have also seen the damage that their fights have caused. Tony Stark is becoming more worried about future dangers.

His fears make him start thinking about Ultron. This decision forms the base of the whole story.

The movie also introduces the characters of Wanda Maximoff and Pietro Maximoff. Wanda Maximoff is portrayed by Elizabeth Olsen. Pietro Maximoff is played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

The plot makes Wanda a very important character. Her powers are also making life difficult for Avengers.

The movie moves forward the MCU in many directions.

It brings in new characters. It moves existing connections. It examines Tony’s worries. It pays more attention to Hawkeye.

It also lays the ground for many future Marvel movies. There is thus a lot going on during the entire running time of the movie.

Sometimes, this works very well indeed. But at other times, the movie appears overloaded with content.

This is, in fact, the problem with Age of Ultron. There is certainly much to appreciate.

However, there is also something about the movie which wants to do it all.

Direction

Age of Ultron was a huge challenge for Joss Whedon. The first Avengers became a phenomenon in culture.

Thus, expectations from the sequel were very high. Whedon needed to assemble the original team.

He needed to bring new characters into the plot. Another huge villain needed to be created. And the plot needed to develop the whole MCU universe.

It’s a lot of work to do for one movie. But Whedon goes to the sequel with confidence. The Avengers have already been introduced as a team.

There are no long introductions here. The movie starts off with the superheroes already in action.

This is an intelligent choice by the director. It instantly highlights how far the characters have come.

In the opening scene, we can see the chemistry of the team. Their movements are much more synchronized.

While the first movie was about cooperation. The second one demonstrates what follows the lesson.

The Avengers have become a team. Whedon also adds more personality to the team.

There is plenty of interaction between the characters. Tony and Steve continue their disagreements.

Thor is another character providing comedy. Whedon also gives Hawkeye considerably more attention.

This is one of the better decisions in the film. Jeremy Renner was given relatively little material in the first Avengers.

His character was largely controlled by Loki. The sequel corrects that problem. Clint’s family is introduced. His home becomes a temporary refuge for the team.

Bruce and Natasha have a complex relationship. Character interaction is one of Whedon’s strengths.

He knows how to make an ensemble fun. The characters do not always see eye-to-eye. Sometimes they even don’t understand each other.

But there are also some problems in the film.

Whedon tries to fit too many stories in one film.

Tony has his guilt and fear. Bruce has his relationship with Natasha. Clint has his family. Wanda has her trauma.

Steve is confused about his future. Thor is investigating strange visions. Ultron has his philosophy.

Also, there is a need to introduce new characters. It all clashes with each other. Sometimes it results in a very messy plot.

Some ideas are introduced but do not get enough development. One may see how the film becomes a bridge for MCU stories.

It happens mostly to the plot about Thor. The investigation of Infinity Stones by Thor seems like an interesting plot idea.

However, it does not get enough screen time. Humour is another aspect that is used in a mixed way.

There are moments when it works perfectly. Conversations between the Avengers seem amusing.

However, it may ruin a few important dramatic moments.

It became one of the typical Whedon’s problems while working with Marvel films.

One moment the film should be serious. Suddenly it turns out to be funny. In other words, the direction is impressive but flawed.

Whedon successfully manages an enormous cast. He also creates memorable character interactions. However, he struggles to give every storyline enough breathing room.

Cinematography

Ben Davis serves as cinematographer for Age of Ultron. The visual approach builds upon the first Avengers film.

However, the sequel noticeably increases the scale. The environments are larger. The action is more elaborate.

The film travels across several countries. This gives the movie a more global feeling. The opening sequence immediately demonstrates that change.

The Avengers attack a Hydra facility in Sokovia. The sequence is designed to show the team operating efficiently.

The camera moves between different heroes. Each character receives a moment to demonstrate their abilities.

This creates a strong sense of teamwork. It also allows the audience to see the different fighting styles.

The film uses wide shots effectively during large battles. These shots establish the scale of the action. Closer shots then return attention to individual characters.

This combination generally works well. However, some sequences become extremely busy. There are numerous characters on screen.

There are also countless visual effects. The camera often moves quickly between different pieces of action.

This provides energy. It can also be a source of confusion. The Battle of Sokovia is an example. There is so much going on at once.

Buildings are crumbling down. Drones sent by Ultron attack. The Avengers fight. Civilians try to escape.

It is really impressive. On the other hand, the emotional connection may get blurred.

The cinematography is most effective when it concentrates on characters. The scenes in the farmhouse are such examples.

The quiet setting allows the movie some space. The lighting and framing grow intimate. The viewers have enough time to get acquainted with the characters.

The contrast to the action sequences is powerful. Furthermore, the movie utilizes Sokovia excellently.

The invented Eastern European location gives a certain character to the story. It helps to get away from the usual setting of New York City.

In the third act, Sokovia turns into a huge action space. It is a really amazing visual climax. But at times the movie seems too much like a common digital action film.

The sense of groundedness of some MCU movies is gone. It is quite natural, considering the scale. Yet, the visual spectacle at times becomes too much.

To sum up, the cinematography is great. It manages to cope with a huge number of action scenes.

It also creates some quiet moments where the story permits it. But the main problem is not the quality of the photography.

It is the quantity of information within some frames.

Visual Effects

The visual effects featured in Age of Ultron are an essential element of the movie.

A lot of computer-generated effects were used in the movie. It is especially clear with the character of Hulk.

The performance of Mark Ruffalo is turned into the computer-generated character. Hulk is still one of Marvel’s most visually impressive characters.

His movements have become more expressive. His facial performance is still connected with Mark Ruffalo. The battle of Hulk and Iron Man is another sequence with visual effects.

Tony Stark fights his comrade using the Hulkbuster armour. This is a very visual scene. It is also an indication of how huge the movie really is.

The Hulkbuster armour looks very realistic. The Hulk carries weight physically. The destruction around them feels real.

This makes it a visual spectacle of the movie. Ultron is another visual effect triumph. The performance of James Spader is made part of the character.

Ultron has a unique appearance. He is mechanical but does not appear entirely generic. Facial expression adds to his character representation.

Nonetheless, one might argue that he often appears too perfect. His visual design is impressive. Nonetheless, personality counts more than the design.

There are many Ultron drones featured in the film. This adds a sense of scale to the film. However, the drones tend to appear interchangeable at times.

They are just so many that they act as wallpapering decorations. CGI is extensively used even in The Battle of Sokovia.

Buildings collapse. Vehicles fly in the sky. Characters jump into the air. The machines created by Ultron litter the roads.

All those effects generate a truly spectacular image. However, it again raises the issue we have discussed throughout this essay series.

Was there an excess of CGI? In my point of view, Age of Ultron is approaching the border of the acceptable. The effects are excellent.

But this poses the very question that we have been examining all through this essay.

Is there too much CGI? In my view, Age of Ultron is almost at the borderline. The effects are usually good. It is just that there are so many of them.

There are times when the movie becomes visually exhausting.

The action scenes seem more like a computer demonstration than a physical fight. This happens mostly in the last act of the movie.

There is no denying the technical brilliance of this film. However, technical brilliance does not necessarily mean emotional impact.

Some of the best effects sequences are those which involve characters. The Hulk and Hulkbuster scenes work because there is a personal connection with the enemy.

Ultron works well as an antagonist because his presence is directly linked to Tony’s mistakes. The final battle scene fails because it is spectacle gone awry.

On the whole, however, the visual effects are good. The visual effects are also quite appropriate for the story being told.

There could have been more restraint in certain sequences.

The balance is not as successful as it was in the earlier MCU films.

Themes and Storylines

One of the most interesting themes is responsibility. Tony Stark makes Ultron out of fear. He thinks that there will come a time when the Avengers will be unable to overcome their enemy.

The answer he finds is the development of artificial intelligence. Paradoxically, the idea of protecting people turns into a danger for them.

This is a great follow-up of the hero’s personality. Tony is very intelligent. He is also impulsive. This can make him come up with dangerous decisions.

This movie shows how these decisions can affect the main characters. There is another theme that Ultron represents. He is a robot that wants to comprehend what humanity is like.

He gets to the wrong conclusions. Humanity is seen as destructive. This gives a philosophical side to the character of a villain.

Unfortunately, the movie does not use this concept in full. Ultron tends to be quite a sarcastic villain. This makes him very entertaining.

This also takes away some complexity from him. Another important theme in the movie is fear. Wanda uses her powers to make the Avengers afraid.

This makes for some really interesting scenes. Thor starts having visions about the future. Steve sees how his old life looks like. Natasha has to face her past. Tony is shown a vision about the Avengers dying.

Bruce faces his own fear of losing control. These moments reveal important characteristics about the characters.

These also make the team seem more vulnerable. The plot involving Hawkeye gives us another important theme.

His family symbolizes the normal world that the Avengers fight for. It adds more humanity to the character.

Though the love story of Bruce and Natasha fails to impress. The relationship comes off a bit too fast.

It does not have enough substance to be credible. It is one of the weak character choices of the movie.

The plot itself is ambitious. There are many things going on. The Avengers start by fighting against Hydra.

They find the scepter of Loki. Tony and Bruce try using it. Ultron rebels against humans.

The Avengers are beaten. They flee. They come together. They confront Ultron again. Sokovia becomes the battleground.

There is much plot in this movie. The movie makes sure that most of it is comprehensible. However, it does not always do justice to each part.

Its length is about two hours and twenty minutes. This is quite lengthy. Yet, the movie feels very crowded.

Some scenes could have been made shorter. Other stories could have had more time. This means that the movie has an interesting problem.

It seems too long and too rushed at the same time. This is hard to accomplish. The problem is the amount of material that is crammed in.

There is enough plot here for many movies. Some of which only get cursory treatment. The film is therefore ambitious. However, its ambition sometimes works against it.

Ultron rebels against humans. The Avengers are beaten. They flee. They come together. They confront Ultron again.

Sokovia becomes the battleground. There is much plot in this movie. The movie makes sure that most of it is comprehensible.

However, it does not always do justice to each part. Its length is about two hours and twenty minutes. This is quite lengthy.

Yet, the movie feels very crowded. Some scenes could have been made shorter. Other stories could have had more time.

This means that the movie has an interesting problem. It seems too long and too rushed at the same time.

This is hard to accomplish. The problem is the amount of material that is crammed in. There is enough plot here for many movies. Some of which only get cursory treatment.

Performances

Robert Downey Jr. continues to be one of the best actors in the movie. Tony Stark continues to be intelligent and arrogant.

Yet, Downey also displays Tony’s fear. Tony realizes that Avengers cannot save the world forever. Fear drives Tony Stark in his actions.

Downey’s portrayal of Tony making this decision feels realistic. Moreover, Downey also shows Tony’s guilt for this action.

Chris Evans continues to give Steve Rogers strong moral authority. Steve represents the more cautious side of the team.

His disagreements with Tony create some of the film’s best conversations. Evans also shows Steve’s uncertainty about his future.

However, Thor’s storyline is less successful. The character spends much of the film investigating mysterious visions.

Hemsworth performs well. The material simply does not give him enough emotional development.

Mark Ruffalo continues to give Bruce Banner considerable depth. His relationship with Natasha adds another dimension.

The Hulkbuster battle also provides Ruffalo with strong dramatic material. Scarlett Johansson remains excellent as Natasha Romanoff. The film gives her more emotional material.

However, some of the writing surrounding her past is controversial. The character deserves more than her relationship with Bruce.

Jeremy Renner benefits enormously from the expanded Hawkeye storyline. Clint’s family gives Renner an opportunity to show a different side. He becomes more than simply another superhero.

Elizabeth Olsen makes Wanda Maximoff immediately interesting. Wanda is powerful. She is also vulnerable. Olsen gives the character an emotional intensity.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has less opportunity to develop Pietro. His role is important to Wanda. However, his character is less developed than the main Avengers

James Spader is an interesting choice for Ultron. His voice gives the villain personality. Ultron is sarcastic and unpredictable.

Spader makes him entertaining. However, the character’s writing limits the performance. Ultron could have been much more frightening.

He also could have been more philosophically interesting.

Paul Bettany impresses as Vision. Having been the voice of JARVIS for several years already, Bettany finally got a physical appearance in the MCU.

Vision is cool, introspective, and totally opposite to Ultron. Besides, his talks with Ultron provide some of the film’s most interesting contrasts.

They are both artificial intelligences but have completely different attitudes towards humanity. Vision thinks it needs protection, whereas Ultron considers it the troublemaker.

Furthermore, Bettany imbues him with enough humanity to avoid making him look purely digital. The character’s introduction is one of the film’s best additions.

It will prove itself even more valuable in subsequent MCU films.

Overall, the performances are strong. The biggest issue is the amount of material available. Some actors receive excellent character development. Others are left with less satisfying storylines.

What Worked and What Did Not

There are things about Age of Ultron that work well. The Avengers still make up a fantastic group. Their dynamic remains among Marvel’s best qualities.

It is evident from the opening scene that they have come a long way. They appear as seasoned heroes. The movie also takes a bold approach when it comes to the action.

The fight between the Avengers and the Hulkbuster stands out. The film also brings in new characters Wanda and Pietro.

Wanda becomes an integral part of the MCU. She has lots of potential. Clint’s increased presence is yet another success factor of the movie.

Creating a family for Hawkeye was a good choice. This way the audience gets an element that is close to them.

Another successful element of the movie is its exploration of Tony’s fears. His decision to create Ultron seems believable and in character.

Moreover, these consequences lead to further events. Silent scenes at the farm are the best parts of the movie.

They provide the chance for interaction between the characters. The visuals are very impressive. Ultron looks believable.

As well as the Hulk. The Hulkbuster scene is very spectacular. But the movie has a number of important flaws. The biggest of them is its crowded plot.

There are too many characters. There are too many subplots. There are too many future developments for the MCU in the movie.

It may feel like there are several movies being setup through this one movie. This may distract from the main plotline.

Ultron is also a letdown in terms of a villain. The idea behind him is perfect. The delivery is not so convincing. He should be really scary.

Rather, he seems to be sarcastic comic. James Spader makes dialogues interesting. However, the humor makes the villain less dangerous.

The Bruce and Natasha romance is yet another problem. It lacks development. The viewer is expected to believe in a relationship that does not have enough buildup.

Thor’s storyline is also frustrating. The story of Thor is similarly frustrating.

The visions are integral to the greater MCU universe. But the visions take away from the main story.

The final battle is impressive visually. It is also very repetitive. The Avengers fight one wave after another of Ultron drones.

The spectacle only gets bigger. The emotional intensity diminishes as the spectacle builds.

The emotional emphasis becomes weaker as the spectacle becomes bigger. This movie also suffers from the problem of pacing.

Some scenes go quite fast. Other scenes appear to be too long. This results in uneven viewing experience.

There are times when Age of Ultron is great. There are also times when it seems like a film struggling with its own goals.

This makes it hard to evaluate. This is not a bad movie. This movie is just less cohesive than it should have been.

Overall Verdict

Avengers: Age of Ultron is a big Marvel sequel with great concepts. The movie brings the Avengers forward and brings in new characters who play vital roles.

Joss Whedon does an admirable job with his large cast. The connection between the original Avengers remains great.

Robert Downey Jr. gives Tony Stark more vulnerability. Jeremy Renner gets a much better plot than before.

Elizabeth Olsen introduces a unique character in Wanda. James Spader brings a lot of personality to Ultron.

Age of Ultron is a Marvel sequel that contains many good elements. It expands the Avengers by adding significant new characters.

Whedon is able to handle an enormous cast well. The dynamics between the Avengers remain good.

Robert Downey Jr. adds more vulnerability to Tony Stark. Jeremy Renner receives a far better plotline. Elizabeth Olsen adds interest as a new character.

Ultron gets plenty of personality through James Spader. The visual effects are also top-notch.

However, it is also not as successful as the first Avengers film. There is a very good movie inside Age of Ultron.

Unfortunately, that movie is surrounded by too many other ideas.