While I'm a little late to the game compared to last year when I saw the first film on opening day with my co-workers and boss, I finally checked out "Avengers: Age of Ultron" this past Sunday. What did I think? Well, let me put it this way: I'm already planning to see it again two more times this week. Once again, director Joss Whedon shows his talent of tackling a team superhero film where nearly everyone is given a chance to shine, all while keeping an even balance between action and comedy.
What made me enjoy this movie so much, and what makes this film trilogy so exciting is that it has and is still breaking new ground for comic films: The first film in 2012 made an unprecedented move by bringing together four characters from solo movies (Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk) and placing them in one film, eliminating the issue of character development. This sequel gets to expand its story with more action, but also funny downtime scenes with earth's mightiest heroes just partying or shootin' the breeze. When it comes to establishing a team leader, the "X-Men" films can learn alot from "Avengers," with Chris Evans' Captain America cleary the one equipped to give orders and Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man supplying both starpower and technical experience. Let's hope that the upcoming "X-Men: Apocalypse" can finally have a fleshed-out Scott Summers who is clearly born to lead the team of mutant freedom fighters. Thor and the Hulk, both characters I wasn't particularly interested in while watching their solo films, are actually interesting here like in the first film. The B-team of Hawkeye and Black Widow have alot more screentime in this sequel, with the audience discovering Clint Barton's family, and Natasha's would-be romance with Bruce Banner. The newest recruits, Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, both make a great impression (though Scarlet Witch is the main focus between the two). Ultron is made into a pretty interesting villain, and while his origin differs from the comics (He was created by Hank "Ant Man" Pym in the comics), having Tony Stark create him instead is a great workaround. This Ultron struggles with his artificial nature and believes to be human, along with a resentment for his creator Tony Stark. Last, but not least, is the other new character Vision, a powerful android who is the answer to stopping Ultron. Vision also provides a link to the next chapter in this epic comic book trilogy with his power source--the mind gem---as the basis for the infinity gauntlet, held by the villain of all villains in the Marvel Comics Universe, Thanos (who makes a brief appearance here). What's not to love here?
So yes, "Avengers" entertains me yet again with "Age Of Ultron," Each film gets me more excited for the next one with all the groundwork that Marvel Studios lays in not just this film, but all their previous blockbusters as well. Watching this film will not only get you excited for "Avengers: Infinity War," but also "Captain America: Civil War," which will be incorporating one of the most intriguing comic book storylines in the last ten years, "superhero registration by the government." I'm already set to watch this flick again next week to catch some of the comic references and minor characters I may have missed the first time around. But mostly, I'll be seeing it again, because, well........IT'S AWESOME!!