5 Reasons Avengers Sequel is the
Jaw-dropping Spectacle you can’t miss!
Review by Timothy Austin
The first
Avengers took the term blockbuster to an all new level as audiences worldwide
were willing to pay any price to see their beloved Marvel Comics characters in
a giant team-up over and over again.
Highly anticipated seems a mild term to describe the second Avengers
film which again stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain
America, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark
Ruffalo as the Hulk.
Fans have
already helped the film surpass the coveted 200 Million mark in order to see
the entire team reunite this time to take on Ultron, a product of wise-cracking
genius Tony Stark’s experiments with ‘alien’ technology and Artificial
Intelligence that goes awry. Stark’s super
Intelligent ‘Ultron’ takes on a life of its own and a mandate to eradicate all
Human life in order to create a more ideal world.
As the
Avengers assemble to put an end to Ultron, conflict among the once loyal team
spews out of control as the other Avengers question Stark’s motivations for
creating Ultron and the other secret plans the billionaire inventor has in
store for the team. As incredible as the
first Avengers proved to be, its sequel tops that on every level with
eye-popping visuals, fantastic story-telling and rip-roaring action. Here are 5 reasons to get as fast as you can
to the nearest cinema to see Avengers: Age of Ultron:
5. New characters add luster and intrigue
Fans of the
comic-book and the original film will salivate over the return of every Avenger
from the original, including surprise cameos from smaller Marvel Comics
characters. However, it is the debut of
the twins, the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver that truly adds to the enjoyment
of the film’s plot. While they were
husband and wife in 2014’s Godzilla remake, actors Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron
Taylor-Johnson are now a brother and sister team with extraordinary powers that
if used to aid the Avengers could help them permanently solve the Ultron
problem. However, from their very
introduction in the film it is uncertain where their loyalty lies as they were
held captive in a laboratory to function as weapons. To avoid any spoilers, I’ll just say that
most Marvel fans will be surprised to see how the dynamic between the super-powered
twins and the Avengers team evolves.
What is particularly interesting about the new additions is the
spectacular way in which their powers are displayed. Quicksilver rescues in the nick of time with
lighting fast blasts of speed, while the Scarlet Witch can create eye-popping
blasts of energy to disable her attackers.
She also has the ability to create giant force fields and can use her
powers to maneuver objects even large trains.
This is done in truly spectacular fashion, making the addition of these
new Avengers a visual feast.
4. Villain delivers high on scare factor
No
super-hero film satisfies unless it has an intimidating villain and thankfully
the Avengers sequel scores high with Ultron.
While Thor’s brother Loki was a formidable bad guy in the original, the
highly intelligent Ultron proves even more sinister thanks to stunning CGI and
the voice work of popular actor James Spader, known best for his hit NBC series
‘The BlackList’. Spader brings a
foreboding calm to the voice of Ultron as he unfolds his plan to decimate the
Avengers and end all Human life on Earth.
His human-like mannerisms create an unnerving experience for the viewer
and Spader’s ominous tone makes Ultron one of the most visually-striking and
intimidating villains Marvel fans have ever seen.
3.
Well-balanced plot
What I
particularly liked about the first film was the writers' ability to juggle
multiple story-lines at the same time, allowing every Avenger adequate screen
time so that we fully understand their conflict. This is achieved on a much higher level in
'Age of Ultron' because of the introduction of new characters including the
complex Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and the sometimes over the top Ultron. The writers even go as far as setting up the
plots for other up-coming Marvel films.
We get a glimpse as to what happened after the end of the last Thor
movie and an indication of the tumultuous conflict which will be unleashed in
Thor 3. The villain for the just
announced Black Panther film also makes a cameo appearance in a key scene
involving Ultron. True Marvel fans will
find much gratification here as we see how strategic Marvel has been in setting
up its cinematic universe. You can't
help but be in awe of the writers as they brilliantly manage a plethora of
conflicts and tie it all up in a spectacular plot.
2. Tops the original on EVERY level
Many
super-hero sequels fall short of their predecessors (I still have the sour
taste of Spiderman 3 in my mouth). What may be the greatest achievement of this
second Avengers film is that it exceeds expectations in every aspect including
the fact that its plot is more engrossing than the original film, the special
effects are more spectacular, the character development is taken to a higher
level and the acting is more dynamic.
The new plot is made even better with the infusion of more comedy and
banter between the heroes including a hilarious bit in which Thor challenges
every Avenger to attempt picking up his powerful hammer, Mjolnir.
1.
Jaw-dropping visual spectacle
For true
Avengers fans nothing will be more satisfying than the stunning visual effects
infused in almost every scene. The
action set-pieces in 'Ultron' are perhaps the most entertaining visual feast
we'll see in 2015. Despite the praise
that came before, nothing compares to how good this film looks. From the swarming army of Ultron's robots to
one incredible slow motion sequence in which we see all the Avengers in battle
at the same time. It appears no expense
was spared to make the sequel one of the most fantastic special- effects
extravaganzas ever put on film. I
particularly enjoyed the scene in which Black Widow scoops up Captain America's
shield while riding a bike and expertly tosses it to him just in time to block
a potentially deadly blow from Ultron.
Indeed, I can think of no other film in recent memory that equals the
jaw dropping visuals seen in 'Age of Ultron'. It exceeds anything fans might be
anticipating and satisfies on every level.
If there is
only one action/adventure you see this year, make it 'Age of Ultron'. From its engaging plot and timely message
about the dangers of experimenting with artificial intelligence to its barrage
of visual achievements, no other film in 2015 will satisfy like the Avengers
sequel.
Review by
Timothy Austin
