Darkmatters Review: Avengers Age Of Ultron

Avengers: Age of Ultron (12a)

Dir. Joss Whedon

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (@Cleric20)

Read the newspaper version of this review over at: The Luton News

“ I know you're good people. I know you mean well. But you just didn't think it through. There is only one path to peace... your extermination.”

"Avengers: age of iconic!?"

Prepare yourself, the Avengers are back – just in time to try and save us from an extinction level event in the shape of Ultron, part computer virus, part terminator-alike exo-skeleton, all bad guy…

If you’re looking for incredible superhero action, you’ve certainly come to the right place. It’s pure comic book joy to witness the world’s mightiest heroes: Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr), The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and leader Captain America (Chris Evans) jump straight into it with no need for any origin tales or even scene setting.

"new baddie"

First up is an all out attack on the dastardly Hydra base that sharp eyed viewers glimpsed in the end credits of the Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The evil Baron Wolfgang von Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann) you see has been experimenting with Thor’s brother Loki's Sceptre – and has created two new super beings or ‘enhanced humans.’ Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) can mind control, use telekinesis and can conjure red energy from her hands and her brother Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) who has super speed (yes the same character from Xmen universe).

"fight"

Director Whedon who returns from the first Avengers film is right at home as the threat of Ultron comes into play – it’s impressive how the sharp dialogue really brings the CGI robot to life (voiced by James Spader).

"zap"

Everything crackles along with adrenalin fuelled energy – stand out scenes of which there are many include a jaw dropping fight between a possessed Hulk and Iron Man in his ‘Hulkbuster’ armour, a fun ‘who can pick up Thor’s hammer’ banter scene and the climactic fight that ups the ante even from the first film with all the heroes getting plenty of enemies to fight.

"new weapons"

There is just so much on offer here – alongside the crunching action are some more emotional elements such as a touching romance between Hulk and Black Widow and Hawkeye’s family dynamic.

"quick"

Iron Man still steals the show with his wise cracks and Hulk is incredible to behold in full battle fury. The newcomers to the party are all welcome additions especially the powerful ‘Vision’ (Paul Bettany) who is superb.

"new vision"

Avengers: Age of Ultron is a master class in cinematic enjoyment – essential viewing!!

Out of a potential 5 you have to go with a Darkmatters:

öööö

(4 - Age of awesome)...

Awesomeness ööööö – jaws will drop, endorphins will rush

Laughs ööö – some great laugh out loud funnies

Horror öö – not too grim  but violent in places

Spiritual Enlightenment öö – humans are worth saving

Hashtag: #WelcomeToTheNewAge

"Hulk -buster"

"bring it"