Worthy sequel to Avengers

Rating: 8/10 (30 April 2015)

"Everyone creates the thing they dread", claims Ultron as he corroborates his emergence as a formidable adversary to the Avengers. A by-product of the Iron Legion from Iron Man 3, Ultron is an unhinged opponent initially created by Tony Stark to maintain accord. A physical manifestation of the detriment the team can cause, the AI goes awry and vows to ensure mankind's doom.
A sequel to the blockbuster behemoth The Avengers, the monolithic feature is massive in scope and epic in scale, an immersive experience best served in IMAX. Writer-director Joss Whedon is assigned the unenviable task of essentially culminating another phase of movies. The unlikely champion of the original, he is able to repeat the trick.
He excels at dabbling with a huge ensemble and crafting an intriguing premise, which merges multiple narratives into a singular, uniform anecdote. While the progression for each character is logical, new introductions are carried out seamlessly as well.
The usual suspects return in fine form and the new additions further supplement proceedings. Equilibrium is struck between all characters, each given their moment to shine. The female contingent is typified by Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in another authentic depiction and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), one half of a destructive duo with deviant abilities. Other pieces of the jigsaw include Vision (Paul Bettany), an android with fascinating strength. Furthermore, the titular foe is memorable and mesmerizing. Biblical in speech and imposing in ideas, Ultron is inherently unstable and views human beings as a plague worth decimating. Television veteran James Spader is an inspired choice to voice the sentient robot. The only qualm in his portrayal is that there isn't enough of Ultron on screen.
Although it consists of the requisite fireworks, the personal and intimate character moments render it more profound than generic action fare. While set pieces fade from memory, characters always endure. The chemistry between a charismatic cast and tender moments shared by their characters are what render the movie its soul. At its nucleus, it contains several intertwined smaller stories which are heartfelt and sincere.
The subject matter is also sporadically divergent in nature. New players upset the status quo and expose the soft core of the team. The group is forced to contend with friction and conflicts among themselves.
In terms of production value, cinematography is supremely executed: the visual aesthetic is excellent. A couple of one-shot sequences of the heroes in motion are supremely exquisite. Action is always in abundance, with an epic confrontation between Hulk and Iron Man's Hulkbuster armor the highlight.
A prevailing modus operandi for Marvel, the plot is laden with references to past and present events. While certain nods tie in to previous films, others tease forthcoming developments. As opposed to being shoehorned, the seeds are sown with finesse. The follow-up also contains several unforeseen surprises in store for viewers. An explosion of color and celebration of comic books, the film features an onslaught of mayhem at a whirlwind pace. Age of Ultron merges several genres such as action, drama, comedy and romance, which is likely to appease enthusiasts and pedestrian movie goers alike.