As a huge fan of the first film: This movie suffers from many issues

Rating: 6/10 (1 May 2015)

Age of Ultron is a movie that has a lot of good concepts and tries really hard to fit them all in, but in the end it rushes through all of them and doesn't truly end up anywhere. This is NOT the darker movie that was promised.
I would like to say that this was a good movie, but most of its entertainment simply comes from being in the MCU again and being able to see the characters interact. The movie sells itself as if it is darker and more complex, but it isn't. It pretty much follows the same pattern as the first film, which is kind of sad. I liked the first movie, but it is a pattern that can only really work once.
I think the biggest issue with this movie is that none of the actors or characters really seem to be taking the threat seriously. Tony Stark is chill 24/7 and even when he learns that he unleashed evil unto the world, he never really seems guilty and no one really seems mad. The characters will briefly mention "can we trust you?" but it is never brought up again. It is odd how quickly big elements are glanced over. For example, Bruce Banner doesn't want to be the Hulk in a populated area, and Tony would rather not fight the Hulk due to him being his friend. However, when they do finally fight in a populated area, there is no sense of either one being emotional. Tony is taking it all rather well, and Bruce doesn't seem too distraught afterwards.
This is a consistent theme throughout the movie. There is a touch of character development, but the character development is never followed through. The only characters that really get any development are Hawkeye and... a little bit of Black Widow. Bruce Banner almost gets character development, but he never fully does.
However, the big issue with the movie is actually the villain. Ultron has everything to be an awesome villain, but he isn't. He is actually one of the weakest villains in awhile. The big issue with Ultron is that his dialogue and character is fairly inconsistent and rather jarring. Ultron is big, metallic, intimidating, powerful, and has a cold and intelligent voice... but his dialogue is stupid. It is okay for villains to crack jokes, but Ultron is quite literally a sassy and sarcastic robot. It is funny how un-intimidating he becomes when you realize he isn't even really a threat. Now, the plot mildly explains why he acts that way, but just because it is explained doesn't mean it makes him a good villain. If the villain lacks interest in his plan and sounds like a lazy guy, there is no reason for the audience to believe that he is a real threat... which he isn't.
The real shame in this movie is that I can imagine and point out everything that would've made it a better movie. Most movies have a lot of issues, but generally the movie as a whole is bad or there is something wrong with it. However, the big issue with Age of Ultron is that it has all of the right ideas, it just does them all in the wrong way. The villain: The concept of a villain who is everywhere and isn't afraid of dying because he can escape anywhere is a great idea. However, the movie never uses that concept fully. Ultron should've been a terror that seems to be everywhere and seems to be unstoppable; however he seems even weaker than the Chitauri from the first film. The other big issue is that the movie plays the ending action sequence like that of the first film... also the villain's master plan doesn't even make sense... when you hear it and when it is revealed what he is doing you will still question it and be slightly confused. Diving into the character's and making their friendships strained by Tony is a good idea... but they are never mad for more then five minutes. It is a missed opportunity.
All in all, Age of Ultron could've been amazing. It could've easily surpassed the first film, but it fails at that by rehashing the basic concept of the first film: The villain is hiding in a secret lair away from the heroes and then unleashes his army on a city where (once again) Iron Man risks his life to stop it... It is truly sad to get such a strong sense of what a film could be, but then you realize it is not the better film that you can tell the director wanted.