Review - Avengers: Age of Ultron

Joss Whedon created a nimble, balanced film with the first Avengers. That film took on his signature formula of creating a compelling, funny family dynamic in the midst of some incredible circumstances. One scene was action packed but then quickly followed by a less hurried scene in which characters chatted and got to know one another. It is a shame then that this sequel feels overwrought with narrative requirements that don't allow for the same balance.

Now that isn't to say Age of Ultron isn't full of fun moments or witty dialogue. The plot just is so packed with characters, side stories and action that the film only once feels like it takes a break to let the characters hang. Now I must come clean that I strongly feel this is where Whedon's writing and directing is at its best, when he explores the dynamics between these teammates. This is true of Buffy as it is of The Avengers for me.

The plot is too much to fully explain here, plus where is the fun in that. In a nutshell the film opens with a rousing action scene as the Avengers take control over Hydra's last hold-out. Iron Man has a nightmarish vision, thanks to newcomer Scarlet Witch (a very game Elizabeth Olsen), where he sees the entire team die. He vows to take some secret technology Hydra was exploring as use it to create a shield around the world. This backfires however and Ultron is created, voiced by James Spader. Ultron is a mix of Joker style crazy tempered by Monty Python style humor. It's a very tonally confusing character that never seems to gel with the rest of the film.

From there we get several great action sequences. These action scenes are perhaps the most comic-booky action scenes ever filmed. They really feel poured over, every framing matching that of a comic book panel. There is one shot of all the Avengers fighting that feels like a panel perfectly come to life.

While these action scenes are great and peppered with witty dialogue, Whedon never solves a central problem plaguing many superhero films. While everything seems to be at stake, the entire world here, we never get the sense that anything is a stake for our heroes. The Avengers have far too easy of a time, accentuated by Whedon's one-liners. When things actually do go south for our heroes, the film quickly moves on to show all will be okay. Without any genuine suspense, the film feels duller than it should. The first film has the added benefit of seeing how these characters would unite. Now united there isn't the same kind of drama to play out. Age of Ultron never fills this void so while fun the film feels forgettable.


3/5