So I saw Avengers: Age of Ultron last night (suck it, Americans!) and I’m still trying to process it 12 hours later. At this point, my qualified opinion is - amazing movie. Great action, great dialog, great new characters (and one very weird one). My only problem is that at times, you can feel that Joss was forced to cut about an hour off the running time to a still-epic two and a half hours; the directors’ cut will probably be a classic.
I’ll have to watch it a few more times to compare it with the first movie. It’s only fair, seeing how many times I’ve seen Avengers.
Favorite moments (very vague spoilers):
The party scene, especially the chat at the bar.
Ultron’s reaction to being compared to Stark.
Veronica.
The reason Hawkeye and Black Widow aren’t a couple.
Thor gets handed something.
Fury makes a dramatic entrance.
Wanda steps out a door.
“Fine - I’ll do it myself”
Of course, that’s just a sampling. I can think of a dozen moments I failed to mention that would be the highlight of any other film.
As usual with this type of thing, let’s keep this thread major spoiler-free for the first few pages; after that, anything goes.
I skipped over the OP because I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ll be at the first local showing nest Thursday when it comes out! I have successfully avoided anything other than the first trailer (the “I got no strings” trailer) and have avoided any spoilers. So, I am primed for a fresh virgin viewing.
Over the past month, I have done three binge-watchings of all ten MCU films (o.k., I’m still in my third time through but it will be three by the time I go to the movie next Thursday). I’ve got the full texture and history of the cinematic universe as fresh on my mind as it can be!
There was a lot of setup for the continuing adventures of the Avengers, but the main plot was a little thin and weak, just an excuse for Superhero vs Robot action. Those parts therefore felt very comic-booky, which I’m sure for superhero comic book fans was a good thing. I’m not one of those fans, so those parts were my least favourite. They were too busy and fast for me, with too much destruction and disaster porn for my tastes.
Instead I liked the banter and the character moments, the stuff that seemed to be setting up what the next phase of movies need for plot fodder.
Just got back from seeing it. Loved it. Very much a Joss Whedon movie, with the quips and banter. I liked the action, the Hulk/Iron man fight was very cool, but the movie wasn’t just all action, there was downtime in some appropriate spots and some good character development.
My only criticism, (and trying not to be spoilery)is that the villains plan wouldn’t have worked. He was smart enough to know better.
I admit that the plot was somewhat basic, but I wouldn’t exactly call it disaster porn. While there was a lot of property damage, unlike other superhero movies I could mention, the film took the subject of collateral damage very seriously, with the protagonists spending almost as much time protecting and rescuing civilians than they did actually fighting the bad guys. It really emphasized how much these guys are superheroes.
Seen it! One thought for now (before bed) - a LOT of Americans will be upset by one scene that was very reminiscent of 9/11 to me, right down to the dustcloud. But perhaps I’m doing them wrong…
I guess it depends on the definition. It wasn’t wanton, but there was a lot of it. After all, a quarter of the movie has: a half a city literally picked up and threatened to be thrown down.
Well, I’m not speaking on behalf of the local beautification committee or anything. I’m talking, on a purely visual standpoint, chaos happening in front of more chaos is a bit much for my eyes to drink in without making me dizzy.
I think this turned out to be a better Hulk movie than any of the previous Hulk movies. Mark Ruffalo seems able to present Bruce Banner’s internal conflict very well.
I’m no Gywneth fan, but I thought her absence from Tony’s side was notable, particularly as Pepper was mentioned several times.
And I thought it was odd that the guy who voiced JARVIS and the guy who played Jarvis in Agent Carter, weren’t the same actor. I understand why, but again, it was noticeable.
That’s true, but I liked how they basically said that she was busy running a mega-corporation while Tony was running around playing superhero with his buddies.
I’m a huge Marvel fan and a regular comics buyer. THere was far too much fighting and not enough interaction between the characters. Pretty much like why Man of Steel was so bad, just one elongated fight scene.
BTW, that African city - was Johannesburg. Which is no where an easy Hulk-lope from any ocean. Especially any place where ships are driven ashore to be broken down (hint:Not Africa). But good on them for showing an African city as a modern metropolis.
Andy Serkis’ Afrikaner accent was great, though. Although comics Klaue is German or possibly Belgian, I believe.
I was soo worried they were building to something tragic - I believe I said an out-loud “Oh, For Fuck’s Sake” when he went back for that kid.
Of course, like the guy said, I didn’t see that coming…well payed, Whedon, well played.
Scarlet Witch in the MCU is significantly depowered, isn’t she - I mean, she’s powerful, but we all know what happened that one time her twin was just *nearly *killed …
Not seen it yet, comes out here on May 1st, which is unfortunately a public holiday and its going to be packed, seriously my local Multiplex is already showing shows sold out days in advance., I am going to have to do what somes at the firm did last time, which was take an afternoon off to see it.
I enjoyed Hawkeye and Black Widow, and Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner. Good stuff.
Don Cheadle and Samuel L Jackson were great, but IMHO they should’ve been given more screen-time.
This. While the movie was fun, the plot is depressingly well-trodden territory. Early on in the movie, while Stark reveals his Ultron plan, Banner utters with sudden comprehension, "Artificial Intelligence."Ya, that’s original stuff. :rolleyes: