Avengers: Age of Ultron Review (2015)

Avengers: Age of Ultron 

  The second installment of the Avengers is perhaps one of the most anticipated movies of 2015. Did it live up to the hype? 

  Let's start with the good. The awesome ensemble cast returns with tons of dazzling action sequences, witty one liners, and perfect chemistry. Director Joss Whedon loves his characters and he loves this material, which is evident in the time and care he puts into making the movie look awesome. Because we don't need to introduce the characters to each other in this movie, the story can immediately plop us into the action. Have we seen this type of action before? Yes, but Whedon has a way of making it still feel fresh. 

  Unlike the last movie, Age of Ultron felt more dangerous, like the characters might not actually make it. This is a real improvement because nothing is worse than watching an action movie where you know if someone dies they'll just find someway to bring them back and then give them a TV show.

  Now for the not so good. As you can tell from the poster, this Avengers movie is a little more crowded then the first. Unfortunately this is in cast and plot.   

  The twins, played by Aaron Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen, felt unnecessary at times and their Russian accents were just so inconsistent and bad. Personally, after seeing Evan Peters version of Quicksilver in X-men: Days of Future Past, Aaron Taylor Johnson just doesn't come close.

  Two other character are introduced as well, Ultron and Vision. The whole process of making Ultron seemed rushed and then his odd mix of humor and menacing villain behaviors didn't contrast each other smoothly. Vision, however, I'd put in the category of improvement. Not only did he look amazing, but he really seemed powerful and god-like.

  Now for the plot. The overall story is quite good, but there are points where Whedon just seems to be adding random subplots to give the avengers something to do on their own. On top of that, there is a romance brewing between two character (I won't spoil who) that feels unexpected and abrupt.

  My last complaint is the fact that they only gave Andy Serkis (one of the best actors in the cast) a couple minutes of screen time. What on earth. Why hire Andy Serkis if you're not going to use him? Such a waste of talent and whatever money they spent to get him in the movie.

  In the end, there were some things I would have changed and a lot of things the first movie did better, but it was entertaining. 3 out of 5 stars. (Rent It)