Marvel movies have transcended what is known as cinema today and it will continue to do so for years to come.
In “Avengers: Age of Ultron” Joss Whedon delivers on everything you hope the movie would, creating a milestone in comic book film history that ranks up with “The Dark Knight” and “The Avengers” as something you’ve never seen before.
Whedon is smart enough to know what audiences are clamoring for and what they need to see: 1) The Avengers in a super-sweet action montage and, 2) Nothing gradual to ease you into these characters because you know who they are.
Amongst all the big-budget carnage Whedon—like in the last movie—never forgets the characters are people. Between the chaos and collapsing buildings is the trademark banter of any Whedon product that is as equally entertaining as any epic battle.
Who doesn’t love it when Tony Stark gives an impish remark or when they all make fun of Captain America for his intolerance to potty mouths? You just wanna jump right in and start making “yo momma” jokes, and hope Tony likes it so much he makes you an Iron Man suit. Oh to dream, though.
Each one has their demons that need exploring, as well, and this is where the movie capitalizes on the “sequels must be darker” standard. They’re all exposed to their darkest fears that come with being a “superhuman.” Whether its fear of losing all you love, not being to save everyone, never being able to stop fighting or fearing you’ll hurt everyone in a moment of blinding green rage. The most tragic of them all come from Black Widow and Hawkeye, who fear that given their past and lack of powers that they ultimately don’t belong, and will never fit in. As the French would say, it’s a true tragédie.
Being on his toes, Whedon was able to work these developments into his giant web of plot by bringing them to life at the hands of the villain(s). Taking shape in newcomers Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and of course, that baddest of all A.I. bots, Ultron (James Spader). They work together to psychologically damage the team and, like any good villains, push the heroes to do what they do.
The scene stealer is Spader as Ultron who was born to play these roles. Like Benedict Cumberbatch with Smaug in “The Hobbit” he relishes each and every line like a bite of villainous chocolate. He immerses himself into the infantile rage of a quickly spawned robot, whose actions mimic a very evil child who doesn’t understand the world around him. He really adds a layer to the “I’m gonna destroy the world” gimmick.
As you watch the movie it becomes apparent Whedon is probably up there with Tarantino and one of the leading writers of dialogue and characters. So rich with personality and humor that you actually look forward to people talking. It makes up for the fact that he has a tendency to over-indulge in destruction to the point where Zack Snyder and Michael Bay have started setting a place for him at their $250 million a plate dinner.
In the end the movie has so much more going on that I couldn’t possibly write enough about it and will surely be seen as flaws to those who have a tendency to nitpick and want fodder to say “see, these aren’t real movies.” The movie sometimes feels rushed, there are a few more characters than expected (which seems impossible after looking at the poster), and it’s never as complex as it wants to be.
But there’s a reason for all of it and all it takes is a careful eye. It’s rushed because there is so much going on (not exactly a validation for it, but still a reason); there are sooo many characters, but none are useless; and it’s not “Dark Knight” complex, but there’s enough there to bring depth and emotion we’ve never seen before and that sets the stage for future installments.
Sure the movie is stuffed with characters to the point of implosion, but it (and every Marvel movie that preceded/follows) works as single movie with a beginning, middle and end, but what contributes to the sheer astonishment of each one is knowing that it’s only the tip of the iceberg
“Age of Ultron” supersedes “just a movie” and validates the greater reality started with “Star Wars” and continued with “Harry Potter” and “Lord of the Rings”: These are not just movies; they’re constellations in an ever-growing galaxy of epicness and imagination. And when thinking about the universe outside of your own self it’s foolish to think this is it. There is so much more to come and it will be more beautiful when it comes.
It may not work for everyone but “Age of Ultron” is a stunning continuation of Marvel’s efforts to bring modern mythology to life with superheroes replacing Greek gods (well, Thor is sort of a literal interpretation) and their stories destined to last for eternity in the hearts and minds of those willing to gather round the camp fire and listen.
