Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsA film about unintended consequences
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2019
Age of Ultron is about unintended consequences. When powerful people like the Avengers take action there is no way they can tell how they will affect others and the world. There are two such examples in the movie. First, the Maximoff twins of Pietro played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Wanda played by Elizabeth Olsen lost their parents to a Stark munitions in Sokovia which left with them extremely bitter and angry, and was why they were working with Hydra. Second, Tony Stark played by Robert Downjey Jr was still traumatized by his near death experience saving New York City from Loki and the Chitauri with a little boost from Wanda Maximoff. He convinces Bruce Banner played by Mark Ruffalo to help him create an artificial intelligence defense system for the world. That backfires however when it gains its own consciousness and becomes Ultron the antagonist in the film. The fact that both of these events were linked to Tony Stark showed that his ego could lead to as much bad as good.
Like the best of the Marvel movies there are great action scenes. My favorite is when Wanda drives Banner crazy and Stark has to bring in a super suit to try to subdue the Hulk in Kenya.
As usual there are a ton of Marvel Easter Eggs in the film. For example, Ultron goes to Ulysses Klaue played by Andy Serkis to buy vibranium which he stole from Wakanda. This was the first hint of the Black Panther. Ultron also cuts off Klaue’s arm which in the comics becomes his sonic cannon. In the Black Panther movie it’s replaced by a Wakandan ray gun. The film was also setting up the Infinity Wars films with Loki’s scepter having one Infinity Stone which was placed inside the Vision. Then Thor goes to a magical pool and sees all the Infinity Stones. At the end, Thor warns that someone was manipulating events with the Infinity Stones. That was Thanos. At a party at the start of the film the Avengers each try to pick up Thor’s hammer. Captain America played by Chris Evans is the only one that can make the hammer shift. That actually plays out in Avengers End Game. Wanda also gives each member of the Avengers a nightmare. For Thor he’s warned that his power will lead to the destruction of Asgard. That’s foreshadowing Thor: Ragnarok. For the first time the name Hawkeye is used when the Avengers hide out at Barton’s home and his wife calls him that. The Black Widow also calls Iron Man Shellhead which was how he was referred to in the Avengers’ comics.
Don't forget the secret endings as usual.
Overall, one of the best Marvel releases.
C
