Where to watch Avengers: Age of Ultron
3 Stars
Tony Stark creates the Ultron Program to protect the world, but when the peacekeeping program becomes hostile, The Avengers go into action to try and defeat a virtually impossible enemy together. Earth’s mightiest heroes must come together once again to protect the world from global extinction.
Avengers: Age of Ultron grossed over $450 million at the domestic box office this summer. Yet, it somehow feels as if this event film was overlooked in the shuffle of “Jurassic World,” “Mission Impossible,” and “Mad Max.” The sequel doesn’t manage to hit the creative peaks of The Avengers (2012), but it is a solid popcorn entertainment piece with occasional flashes of brilliance. However, murky plotting and a soggy second act nearly torpedo the fun. Luckily, the superior cast (all fully inhabiting these silly characters with surprising humanity) saves the day.
Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) incessant tinkering has reawakened a long-forgotten peacekeeping program, setting in motion a metallic foe that proves just as strong and intelligent as the Avengers members combined. Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) must re-team to save Earth from being destroyed at the hands of Ultron (voiced by James Spader).
This follow-up film is (over)stuffed with new characters and struggles to find compelling obstacles and arcs for its already established characters. Namely, Captain America (my favorite Avenger) is left in the cold story-wise. However, the visual eye candy pops, while two show-stopping set pieces pay off in a big way. A trimming in the middle would have tightened up the ship, or perhaps cutting one of the many prologue moments in the final reel. Still, this is among the better films released in Marvel Studio’s phase two.
Director:Joss Whedon
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo