I’d like to start this review off with a confession that may affect the reliability of my opinions; I had quite a few beers before, during, and after my viewing of Avengers: Age Of Ultron. I’m not sure if the intoxication caused me to over or underrate the movie but it doesn’t really matter because you’ll be going to see it anyway. Read on for the views of a drunkard.
Firstly let’s have a look at the basic plot. The Avengers are still kicking ass together as we see in the excellent opening battle. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is still a smart-ass, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is still the ladies favourite, and the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) is still smashing. All is well until Stark’s new AI system, Ultron, goes haywire and assembles a robot army to cause havoc across the world. The Avengers set out to stop it.
That’s as complex as the story gets which means there’s a lot more action than plot development. Writer/director Joss Whedon attempts to give all of the characters something to do but as there’s so many some of the heroes are shortchanged in the story department. This time Iron Man takes a backseat to the likes of Hawkeye (who’s story is eerily reminiscent of the middle of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie), and new arrivals Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and his twin sister Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).
However, with so many good guys getting a chance in the spotlight, big baddie Ultron is pushed to the side. Which is a shame as he’s perfectly played by James Spader who steals every scene he’s in even though his character is a big metal CGI robot. Every one of his lines is delivered perfectly and his presence makes all his appearances memorable. Sadly, for someone who’s name is in the title, Ultron isn’t in the movie enough. Personally I’d rather watch this supervillain than shitty Falcon.
All of this isn’t to say the film is bad. On the contrary it’s a huge sugar rush of a flick as Marvel’s most colourful and diverse team lay the smackdown on hundreds of evil robots. If heart-pounding action is what you want from Age Of Ultron you will not be disappointed. These scenes showcase Whedon’s skill at writing very funny banter and the great addition of the Maximoff twins. There’s also Elizabeth Olsen with a Russian accent which immediately made me suspect Joss Whedon has been reading my erotic fiction. My lawyers will be in touch Whedon.
Avengers: Age Of Ultron is a solid sequel that doesn’t throw up any big surprises. Its full of funny lines, big action set pieces, and colourful new characters. Too many characters and a confused plot resolution stop it from being a classic but while it lasts Age Of Ultron is great fun and a fine way to spend two hours. I’ll check back here after I watch it sober and let you know what its like without the beer goggles. Now excuse me while I nurse this hangover.
7/10
Have you seen Age Of Ultron? Got a favourite scene or line? Were you hammered while watching it? Let me know in the comments below.
Screenkicker Witch Index (SWI)
BEST
Screenkicker! 
You must still be hammered to consider watching that shit again! Predictable, obvious, uninspiring.
That’s the last time I’m letting you pick what we see, at least we got to see the SPECTRE teaser trailer on the big screen – every cloud and all that….
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At least we didn’t find any mice in our popcorn!
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Hahaha! I don’t even know where to begin commenting on this. It’s between your foamy, beer-y non-sobriety honesty, the pic you chose of Ultron (he looks to me like he’s belting out the lyrics to Don’t Stop Believing), or the Witch SQI. That one is a surefire winner. Sabrina, get the hell outta here. . . .
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Haha your confusion amuses me!
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I need to watch this! Apparently Canada is the last place in the world that this is being released so I have to see everyone else that has seen this review it. Boohoo, poor me. Great review, though, it seems like it’s exactly what it set out to be: a fun, action movie.
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Even James Spader can’t lure me to watch this… though I think I’m actually tempted. Maybe if I had some beer.
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Hmm. I think you’re still drunk, Mike. 😉 It sounds like we mostly agree on this one after all! I just liked it a little bit more. Well, we liked different things ABOUT it. I liked Hawkeye’s story! Also, I’m confused as to why people seem to like Ultron? I found him a bit boring and not very scary. I thought The Vision was WAY cooler!
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I liked that they gave Hawkeye more to do! My point about Ultron is that he could have elevated the film if he was in it more. The Vision was good, but then i like Paul Bettany in anything.
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Paul Bettany is cool. 🙂 Who do you love more – Bettany or Russell Crowe??
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Hmmm, i could just watch Master and Commander or A Beautiful Mind to see both my crushes on screen at once.
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Oh yeah – those must have been a dream come true for you! 😉
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I thought it was arguably their best one they have made; although like you I had an outside influence, mine being the IMAX and 3D glasses.
Once you give in to the nonsense and have a bit of fun with it, it’s really good!
Favourite scenes;
1) All trying to pick up Thors hammer, and Captain America slightly moves it. Thors face is priceless.
2) The gigantic clusterfuck of a final third in which everything went off in a medley of slow motion and explosions.
3) When Vision picked up Thors hammer, and they kept the awkward moment going well beyond what was comfortable. Very funny.
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That scene with The Vision was my favourite too! There were no lines, just some hilarious looks from Thor!
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Oh my god, I sincerely hope that I too will be inebriated.
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Whiskey is the answer!
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I want to see this movie, interesting take on it Mikey.
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You spend all that money on a movie ticket and go in wasted?! Oh, Mike. You’re so Irish. 😉 I definitely liked this more than you did, but I see your points. Not my favorite superhero movie (and not better than the first Avengers), but still pretty darn good. And I’m pretty excited about seeing how these new Avengers fit in. Good review, Mike!
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Great review. I think the film was good but still quite disappointing.
Not sure if it is in comparisons to their reason great films but it felt like a foot note rather than a solid film of its own.
2 hour trailer for phase 3 is a bit harsh but not wholly untrue.
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We’re in agreement about this one Mikey, not disappointing per se, but nothing special.
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I think me and you tend to have the same taste. Apart from your obsession with British men! I’m a British man and I don’t even like myself!
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Mwahahaha! Well I don’t know if you notice but I’ve sort of left the British blokes behind now that I’m crushing [madly] on a Frenchman 😛
P.S. Hey Mikey, do stop by for Five for the Fifth ok?
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I wouldn’t miss it!
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Nice one Mikey. Couldn’t stand the romance, and I thought the humor was a little too tryhard, but as a blockbuster it still works. Just not the event that the first was.
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Hahaha great read. I don’t think I’ll ever be seeing this, but great read nonetheless! I love James Spader, maybe I should watch this just for him doing voicework!
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