With sweeping emotion and more of that joyous banter, Joss Whedon defies expectations.

Rating: 5/10 (24 April 2015)

Although it was perhaps never in doubt that 2012's The Avengers would be big, most didn't expect it's balancing act of character moments, fist-pumping action and incredible one- liners would be as joyously fun as it was. Joss Whedon, the genius behind Buffy and Firefly, had pulled off a major feat, one that will stand as a benchmark for Marvel for years to come. Therein lies the scale of the task Whedon had with Age of Ultron. How do you improve on a film as good as that?
Somehow, he and the brilliant cast have pulled it off. It's not without it's stumbles. In a film of this size, and with a mammoth cast, there are times when the numerous stands over- reach and become a little hard to follow. A particular sub-plot detour feels very unnecessary, and in a melting pot of emotion and motivations, there are a few characters (Thor and Quicksilver) that feel a little short-changed. This is, however, missing the point completely. Whilst Loki is most likely unmatched in the MCU for villainy, Ultron is a marvelous creation; one that feels like a step forward for the Studio's approach in 'Phase Three'. Created by Tony Stark as an 'end game'; the ultimate peace-keeper that would put the Avengers out of the Avenging business for good, Ultron represents the failings of humanity as a race, whilst also planting the seeds for Cap and Iron Man's ideological differences in Captain America: Civil War. His arc is effectively played as a tragedy; he is only what Stark and Banner intended him to be, twisted and ruined by the violence of the past, hellbent on securing an 'evolution'. The tone here is one that walks a tight-rope between sombre and the usual light, witty banter. Whedon's skill is in the perfect balance he strikes; we feel the stakes and feel the emotion, but the banter between the group is at it's fan-serving best here. So much so I would be content if we had a 2 hour couch session with these brilliantly defined, effortlessly genuine characters.
Wasted in Assemble, Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye is given surprisingly heartfelt screen time, with Whedon thoughtfully casting him as the solid anchor of the group. Scarlett Johannson continues her great work, bringing a vulnerability to Black Widow that belies her troubled past. Her romance with Mark Ruffalo's Hulk provides the majority of the heart-wrenching emotion, a beautiful gut-punch that undercuts the action and brings even more humanity to all the geeky, joyous action on display. Downey Jr., Evans and Hemsworth bristle with chemistry and charisma, and we see a more developed, empathetic Stark here; his being responsible for Ultron, and the subsequent guilt he feels, is a driving force behind the story. As a whole, this cast is dynamite, and in a fantastic early scene, provide hilarious moments. Ultimately, however, we want to see them kick ass, and Whedon brings a plethora of thrilling, nerd-gasmic set-pieces that more than match that magnificent tracking shot in Assemble. More than ever, we see the Avengers as a working battle force, using each others' abilities in ingenious, hugely entertaining ways. Plus, this time out there's the Hulkbuster.
Unsurprisingly, time is spent inevitably setting up future movies, but whilst unnecessary, the easter eggs don't distract from the narrative of the film too much. New additions are also immensely successful. Whilst Elizabeth Olsen is impressive as Scarlet Witch, Paul Bettany's Vision steals the film, and bags many of the film's best moments. He has always been a terrific actor, but here he exudes class and charisma, providing an at once cold, but wise and naive character whose existence in the MCU is nothing but exciting. Marvel continue to build and progress, but without losing the charm and aching humanity that has defined their best. Avengers: Age of Ultron finds this sweetspot effortlessly.