Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron Movie Review

Reviewed by Lynn Barker on May 01, 2015

Rating:

Can the Avengers fight their own inner demons and save the planet from a force that Tony Stark (Iron Man) created? Check out Kidzworld’s review of Marvels “Age of Ultron”.

By: Lynn Barker

Industrialist/inventor Tony Stark (Iron Man played by Robert Downey Jr.) wants to invent a peacekeeping force to protect our planet from alien invaders. Fighting earth-bound criminals should be enough for the Avengers. Will his efforts go horribly wrong? What do you think?

Iron Man in actionCourtesy of Marvel

Story Goes

In the country of Sokovia, the Avengers raid a Hydra outpost where Baron Strucker has been experimenting on humans using Loki’s scepter. Among those are twins Pietro, who has superhuman speed, and Wanda Maximoff (aka Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch). She can manipulate minds and throw red energy blasts. Tony Stark (Iron Man) grabs Loki’s scepter.

Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch work togetherCourtesy of Marvel

Stark and Bruce Banner (human side of Hulk) secretly use the artificial intelligence (A.I.) inside the scepter to initiate Stark's "Ultron" global defense program. Twisted Ultron, believing he must eliminate humanity to save Earth, seems to kill Stark's A.I./Butler J.A.R.V.I.S. and attacks the Avengers during a victory party. Escaping with the scepter, Ultron uses Strucker's Sokovia base to fix his cobbled-together body and build an army of robot drones.

Ultron attacks!Courtesy of Marvel

He uses the Maximoff twins who hate Stark and his Industries for bombs responsible for their parents' deaths. They get Vibranium (the material in Captain America’s shield) from an arms dealer. When the Avengers try to stop them, Scarlet Witch stops the good guys by giving them visions that exploit each hero’s fears. This messes them up and causes Hulk to go really wild until Iron man has to use his big guy, more powerful “Veronica” suit to stop him. Hulk must hide.

Iron Man's larger Veronica suitCourtesy of Marvel

After Nick Fury shows up to organize the mentally-attacked Avengers, they learn that Ultron is using a combo of an android, flesh-bearing body, Vibranium and the scepter’s stone to create a more useful body. Stark secretly uploads J.A.R.V.I.S. and a being called Vision is created. He turns out to be a good guy and after the Maximoff twins decide to abandon Ultron to help the Avengers, the final battle to save earth is on.

Tony Stark feels guilty for Ultron creationCourtesy of Marvel

Wrapping Up

Bigger and badder visually, Marvel's Avengers: Age of Ultron is basically non-stop action but manages to throw in a bit of angst for the main characters and gives audiences a short look at the Avengers’ personal demons. Black Widow carries the mental and physical scars of her horrific childhood assassin training, Iron Man/Tony Stark must face the guilt he feels for unleashing the Ultron horror on the world, Captain America is still shattered at losing his lady love Peggy, Hulk/Bruce Banner feels horrible about injuring innocents when he “hulks out”, Thor is worried that he won’t be up to saving his people, etc. All-in-all, very cool to digest midst all the massive fight action.

Black Widow calms Hulk downCourtesy of Marvel

The film is full of the expected and appreciated little bits of humor and not all delivered this time by Robert Downey Jr. Everybody gets a zinger or two. Especially hilarious is a scene at a party in which the key Avengers try to lift Thor’s hammer.

Is Thor ever not hunky?Courtesy of Marvel

The addition of new characters like Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and Vision is refreshing and fun and the excellent actors playing them (Elizabeth Olsen, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Paul Bettany) do a whiz-bang job! James Spader also gives Ultron just the right vocal mix of menace and wry humor. The great stop-motion whiz Andy Serkis does an impressive job on camera for a change as a menacing arms runner. I also loved the very unexpected storylines for Hawkeye, Hulk/Bruce Banner and Black Widow/Natasha. There are also surprise deaths and well… retirements that alter the Avengers team.

Vision (Paul Bettany)Courtesy of Marvel

I loved director Joss Whedon’s decision to let the Avengers actually share each other’s usual weaponry. For example, at one point, Black Widow gets to toss Captain America’s shield etc. Just fun cooperation among the gang.

Black Widow and Bruce Banner get their flirt onCourtesy of Marvel

As usual with these films, be sure to stay through a few of the end credits for the appearance of the next Avengers film villain. Hint.. he played a part in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Cappy to the rescue!Courtesy of Marvel

With this stuffed-to-the-gills, fast-paced film, it is easy to lose track of the story from time to time and become a bit confused but overall, you will be entertained throughout. We go four stars.