Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L Jackson, James Spader, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany
Director: Joss Whedon
The human mind is sometimes lousy. It is supremely subjective and driven by its own likes and dislikes. In my mind, I am a big Joss Whedon fan. Add to it that he made a hell of a movie the first time around, I brook few arguments against him. This was the movie that I was most looking forward to. Even more than the first Avengers, because I have already seen what he can do. I desperately wanted to love the movie. I deceived myself for a while, but time put an end to it. Because Age of Ultron is not very good. It has its pluses, but, all in all, Junior said it right – “It’s boring”.
The Avengers are in Sokovia, an Eastern European country. They got word that there is a Hydra base there. During the encounter they meet with two test subjects we had met at the end of Winter Soldier, the twins Pietro (Taylor-Johnson) and Wanda (Olsen). While celebrating after the event, the Avengers come face to face with their latest nemesis Ultron (Spader), an artificial intelligence that takes a metal form. Ultron wanted to help the human race evolve by destroying them. With Pietro and Wanda on his side, Ultron wreaks havoc on the Avengers. Wanda affects their minds and they are splintered, having worrying visions of what would happen in the future.
After Hulk (Ruffalo) goes on a rampage in Africa, its time to stop and take stock. They gather in an unlikely farmhouse and meet the former Shield boss Nick Fury (Jackson) and figure out a plan. In the meantime, Ultron is trying to get himself a human form. Things do not go well on that front and the form manifests as the Vision (Bettany). It’s time for the final showdown and the action is back in Sokovia.
Every Avengers movie has the issue of overkill. With so many characters there isn’t time for all to stand out. But, then again, why dd we have individual movies before these? The actors go through their motions. Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye has a pretty big role here and that is refreshing. The newbies Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen make their presence felt. Joss Whedon is great in small intimate scenes and their sibling relationship comes to the fore in a few potent scenes. Paul Bettany proves that good things happen to those who wait. After just being a voice actor in all movies with iron Man he gets to appear as the Vision. James Spader is pretty much the best thing about the movie. His voice gives so much character to Ultron and prevents this becoming Avengers versus Robot, The Movie.
At the end, I hate to say this, the fault lies with Whedon. He wrote it, he directed it. Of course, Marvel would have prevented him from going full auteur, but still where is the spark? He seems to have used up all his imagination in Avengers. This seems like a studio sequel. There is more of the original and less of originality. The Avengers fight, and get together. Again. Nick Fury is the catalyst. Again. A major character dies. Again. Unfortunately, there is a lot less humour. And even in the money shots and goose-bumps scenes, Whedon cuts a sorry figure.
There are a few moments here and there, the infamous log-splitting scene, for one. There are ideas about AI and loneliness, but it is left unexplored. We just don't believe in the stakes. Sukovia is a country and the total population is less than Majestic? A bunch of robots prove to be a big hurdle for the people who faced and beat the Chitauri?
Even in the most mind-numbing movies, you can see a director's vision at some point or other. But for most part, this is a movie that Ultron could have made.
Stan Lee cameo: Drunk veteran Lee, who thinks he can handle Asgard’s spirits. Gets to say Excelsior!
Post-credits scene: There is only a mid-credits sequence that basically unleashes Thanos on us, though we are not sure how Ultron was part of his master plan. By the way, big shout-out to the credits sequence. That is a marble sculpture I’d love to have.
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