Plenty going on in super sequel
Following up the biggest comic-book movie of all time can’t have been an easy task – but if anyone is capable of doing so, it’s super-powered studio Marvel.
Bringing Avengers Assemble writer-director Joss Whedon back on board for the return of heroes Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye was the first wise move.
The other was to shake things up with some new blood, led by the villainous robot Ultron and twins Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olson) and Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).
We’re literally dropped straight into the action as the super team invade a Hydra base in the snow-covered fictional eastern European country of Sokovia.
A thrilling start, no doubt, but it sets the tone for the film’s biggest problem – there’s a lot going on and a little too much to take in.
New characters and scenarios are introduced with little to no back story – Ultron himself created in about 10 minutes of screen time – and though Whedon handles it as well as he can by giving everyone their moment to shine, it may take repeat viewings to digest everything.
But, once again, the director gets a perfect blockbuster balance between humour, peril and jaw-dropping set pieces.
Bickering may outweigh jokes as tensions rise but there’s still plenty of brilliant banter between our heroes – including an ace running gag about the Captain and bad language.
The visions brought about by Olson’s sorceress also lend an almost horror feel to proceedings as the Avengers are psychologically tested like never before.
Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow are gifted a touching Beauty and the Beast-style romance and Jeremy Renner a much more meaty role, with Hawkeye’s human centre proving to be the team’s ace in the hole.
The different ideals of Chris Evans’ Captain America and Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man threaten to tear the super squad apart, with one eye on next year’s Civil War movie.
One of the biggest criticisms aimed at Marvel’s cinematic output has been a lack of truly memorable villains and, while Ultron falls short of the gleeful fun served up by Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, the robotic renegade makes for a maniacal menace.
James Spader lends his dulcet tones and motion capture work to bring the quipping, Frankenstein’s monster-style antagonist to gorgeous life, Whedon also cleverly integrating nods to Pinocchio in his creation.
The action is as awesome as ever (Hulk v Hulkbuster) and for every crowd-pleasing circular shot of the team in battle, Whedon knows not to overdo the explosions and chaos, taking time for quieter moments (Avengers in a safe house).
There may be a little less wonder this time around, and an overload of information to chew over, but Avengers: Age of Ultron is still a stunning, spectacular sequel full of surprises.