Thank you Joss Whedon!!

Rating: 9/10 (1 May 2015)

When you have a movie that's so universally beloved as its predecessor, how do you follow that up? Simply put, you make a movie that's funnier, more human, and more challenging, and not just for the characters on screen, but for we the audience as well.
Age of Ultron provides two big "meals" to "digest"- one for the eyes (a visual masterpiece filled with special effects that add meaning to the picture, and thankfully not just noise), and one for the mind, where questions and challenges that'll linger with you long after the credits roll.
'Should we ever try to stop wars before they start?' 'Should we "meddle" with artificial intelligence?' 'What happens if intelligent robots decide that humans are obstacles, not tools, to making the world a better place?' And those we're just cherries on the icing.
Whedon's Avengers are more cooperative in the sequel than the original, but that doesn't mean they agree all the time. Captain America, for example, having lived through World War II, is strongly against wars of all kinds — he just wants to go home. Tony Stark, on the other hand, with his Iron Man suit and endless technological resources, believes he has the power to prevent future wars, but that involves creating weapons that occasionally backfire, like his Ultron.
Taking stances on these big issues is inherent to The Avengers' various personalities, and it's another big reason why the film exceeds the original.The characters are much more opinionated, more human, and therefore likable. Some of the film's quieter moments offer glimpses into these characters we've never seen before and it helps us understand why they're heroic, not just super powered.
The film is, in general, much funnier than previous Marvel films, too, and up to par with Guardians of the Galaxy in terms of jerky humor, particularly when it comes to dialogue. This is where Whedon really shines: Banter feels realistic but screwbally at the same time, which helps keep the film fresh throughout its 2 and a half hour run time. And btw Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye is a very particular standout.
Of course, this isn't to say the movie is perfect. It's quite disjointed at times, and some characters leave you wanting more, and not really in a good way. But by and large, this film is a major accomplishment, in it's well-paced and never boring, consistently funny, and offers plenty of references to past and future movies for Marvel fans to gobble up. And with so much going on, this should make it ideal for multiple viewings.
Imo, Ultron is a masterful film that feels jam-packed without being overwhelming. There's plenty of action, but the action sequences are used as tools to keep the film moving forward, and an added bonus the film thankfully never takes itself too seriously.
Between acting, the clever and brilliant writing, the visuals, and its importance as a bridge to phase 3 of the MCU, Whedon has of course pulled it off again with a strange, funny, horrifying, and passionate love letter to Earth's Mightiest Heroes, that, to me, is even better than the first. one in 2012.