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After the huge success of the first Avengers film, Avengers: Age of Ultron was one of the most highly anticipated films of the year, maybe even the decade.
Making a sequel to a popular film always has its pressures but the pressure here seemed more intense, not only because of the huge critical and financial success of the first one, the film was also the culmination of a very strong Phase Two for Marvel Studios that gave us great films like Iron Man 3, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Guardians of the Galaxy.
After being a creative consultant throughout Phase Two, Joss Whedon returned to helm Ultron after his success on the first one. Writing the script and directing, Whedon had full control of the film, or that’s what it may have looked like on the outside.
After filming was done and the film was released, Whedon spoke about the scenes and ideas that were cut from his film, in order to fit to Marvel bosses agendas. After seeing the film, these revelations make a lot of sense as the film itself feels a little hollow and unexplained in parts, which are probably the scenes Joss wanted in but what were seemingly deemed unnecessary.
Ultron didn’t receive as much praise as its predecessor due to its compacted script and confusing plot points. As a whole, the film feels like a middle film to the MCU, as it didn’t progress the overall story, like the first Avengers did when it united the heroes. The film might have served even better as an Iron Man film, dealing with the consequences of Tony’s actions but due to the nature and history of the character it was always going to be an Avengers story.
The storyline too took some comparisons from the first Avengers film, in that the team faces a villain with an army who the Avengers must take down in its entirety. Whilst adding in some moral questions for the team and adding creating an Ultron for a 21st century story, the film still felt like an upgraded copy concerning its main fight.
Regarding Ultron, whilst the evil AI was definitely the right choice of villain and James Spader the right man to be him, the film’s main antagonist doesn’t live up to his comic book self. That could again be put down to scene cuts or just a matter to squeeze everything in without delving deeper into the character.
Some criticism for Ultron came from the fact he felt too human in his approach, with several jokes and certain mannerisms taking the shine from his villainy. In defence of Whedon though, he mirrored his movie Ultron on Tony Stark, who created him. Stark is sarcastic and egotistical, traits Ultron also develops whilst hating them in humans. In the comics it is Ant-Man, Dr Hank Pym who creates Ultron so the comparisons may be unfair.
As for the script, some complained about the amount of one liners in the film, especially those out of context or ones that just didn’t quite fit with a certain characters. Whilst the script was slightly joke heavy, overall the dialogue was excellent, with Whedon once again feeling the spirit of the Avengers so well. It also contained some of the MCU’s better lines too; “You get hurt, hurt ’em back. You get killed… walk it off.” anyone?
All that being said, the film has many excellent points to talk about.
The action is some of the best seen in any superhero film, with one of the best openings to an action film ever made. Even if it was slightly unnecessary, the fight between The Hulk and the Hulk-Buster is of epic proportions, as well as the climactic battle between the Avengers and Ultron’s army.
The character development during the film is also fantastic, for some characters more than others but overall the team definitely develops and evolves. One arc that stands out is Clint Barton/Hawkeye’s story that goes deep into his family life and shows the sacrifices he makes as part of the Avengers.
The flashbacks and visions we see the Avengers have are also heartbreaking, see Steve dancing with Peggy and Natasha taking back to her childhood, and for some, like Tony’s and Thor’s, mysterious and ones that will surely come to be answered in the MCU at a later date.
The new characters in the film also shine brightly and give the film a much needed boost. Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Vision are perfectly adapted from their comic selves and the former two share a broken past which really adds to their story. As for Vision, his creation is almost exactly like his book origin and Paul Bettany is perfect in the role.
The overall direction is also wonderful, Whedon showing again how gifted a filmmaker he is as well as showing his superior knowledge when it comes to these characters and this world.
Aesthetically the film is stunning, with Whedon really showing the colour and imagination that is sorely needed in a Marvel comic book film.
With his studio troubles and sequel pressure, Joss Whedon still managed to produce a solid, highly enjoyable and fun film to add to the MCU, one that if you didn’t like it on first viewing, definitely gets better with more viewings.
Mr Whedon has promised a hiatus from Marvel films after the Ultron process but has also never ruled out making a return in the future. Hopefully that will be sooner rather than later.