Age of the first true "Avengers" villain

Rating: 9/10 (26 April 2015)

The first thought that popped into my head when I left the theater was: "I've got to watch this movie again". This film, much like its predecessor, serves as a junction for the paths paved in all previous Marvel films- therefore, the great detail and simultaneous procedures on screen reach a "Game of Thrones" -esc crumminess but, it works! The amazing thing in my opinion, is each character's presence felt just prominent enough in this feature. Iron Man- Tony Stark is back big time with his endless sense of humor, as friction between him and his fellow Avengers reach a critical point in "Age of Ultron". Although his most interesting relationship by far in this film is with the titular main villain. Captain America- feels like the WWII super soldier has outgrown his cardboard superhero roots and delves further into his interesting and reflective sides, already seen in "Captain America: the winter soldier". Thor- Personably, I love him! but it is notable that alongside his friends he looks like a last minute reinforcement, both action and story-wise. Yet he does manage to give this film its strongest emphasis of being a part of a well developed universe with to come. Hulk- As a hero who got just one solo film portrayal in the shared universe so far, Age of Ultron gives Bruce Banner and his monstrous alter ego, a well deserved emphasis over his more well established buddies. His Character also corresponds well with the movie's main theme of losing control over one's creations. Black widow- Super-spy Natasha Romanoff, Despite lacking any solo film yet (and maybe because) seems to own this film a little more. It explores her dark origins as the team's "other monster", hence creating an intriguing and promising bond between her and The Hulk, with The good old Hulk's 90's animated show feel to it. Hawkeye- Also in lack of a solo feature, fills the role of the only "normal" Avenger, but rather as a fact that makes him both interesting and unique among his monstrous and neurotic teammates. A few more familiar faces come back from past films such as Agent Maria Hill, War Machine, Falcon, Baron Von Strucker and Nick Fury- most of them get just enough good screen performance to leave you wanting more. Also, "The Vision", a newcomer, gets a small but significant role and it is undoubtedly a pleasure to see Paul Bettany displaying his full acting abilities for once in the Marvel films. The twins Wanda and Pietro Maximoff- the new dominant super powered pair, I take care not to call them "Heroes" since during much of the film they are loyal only to themselves rather than side with good or evil. It is quite intriguing to witness characters which go against the common super hero genre dichotomy. Wanda and her mysteriously unpredictable powers, is more interesting than her super fast brother Pietro, who is a pale version compared to his wonderful portrayal in last year's "X-men: Days of Future Past". And the best is saved for last, Ultron- in a single sentence "He's like a classic James Bond villain who watched all the previous Bond films" ("I'd like to take this time to elaborate my evil plan" *stops speaking, starts blasting*) that rogue A.I. is masterfully portrayed by James Spader. Ultron is a villain that fits the Avengers like a puzzle piece, Challenging each one of them at their own fields of play. I always liked how he tries to constantly display his differentiation and superiority over human beings in the comics, only to prove how strongly the human DNA of his creators stuck in him. That theme is up-played in the film, for the first time Ultron is portrayed with fully expression able face, his voice, despite a light metallic echo, his voice is humanly warm and emotional and his black sense of humor serves as a (rightful) competitor to Iron Man's. The filmmakers set themselves a goal with Ultron, to engage Marvel's cinematic universe's lack of charismatic and memorable villains. Ultron faithfully reaches that goal and I personally hope his villainous successors down the line would manage to fill the very large shoes left by the dreaded droid (Lookin' at you Thanos!). My sole complaint of Ultron is that Spader didn't manage to give him enough separate identity from his famous portrayal of the smart and slick crook Red Reddington from "The Blacklist".
The film is filled with quality action, the special effects department has truly outdone itself, despite working on smaller, more personal combat in comparison with the all out war in the first Avengers. But the true point of interest in Marvel's ensemble movies is the dynamics between characters and this film delivers plenty of that. Maybe that is one of the reasons why the action set pieces are so tiresomely detailed, due to taking less time- that is especially true for the trailer's well publicized battle between Iron Man and The Hulk as well as the final showdown, though they are tremendously satisfying. The film's opening action sequence also succeeds in sucking you right into the experience. But as said before, so many things happen at once, I just have to see the Movie again to see what I surely missed.
"The Avengers: Age of Ultron" is a marvel movie with the strongest emphasis on internal strife to date, unlike the physical conflicts that dominated past installments, the dangers and evils fought by the Avengers here are entirely of their own creation, results of their fears from future dangers. Many people mention "The next wave", "God's next planned mass extinction event" and it makes us all wonder weather Ultron is right to say that "everyone makes the things they fear..." In this movie, fear is revealed to be a terrible foe, in the next "Avengers" and the solo films leading to it along the next 3 years, we shall see who is the great enemy that scared the Avengers into creating Ultron.