John's Gems: A Carpenter Throwback

The Avengers 2: Age of Ultron

Story: 4
Writing: 5 (with a reason)
Characters: 5
Intent: 5
Acting: 5

Overall: 4.8 / 5

I am openly admitting here that I am a bit biased and unobjective when it comes to any of the big blockbuster hero movies, especially ones of a mash-up concept. But, that being said I really must say that, in my humble opinion, there isn’t really much to improve on from the first Avengers movie. The first movie was greatfully accepted as a major geek fest success and established each character as team unto one another, come together to defend the world from powers and forces greater than man can face alone.

Now, to start with I quickly need to address the biggest complaint I’ve heard in regard to Avengers 2, and that being the plot. Some say there isn’t one, other’s say it’s a weak plot and camouflaged by action and one liners. Some just say it’s a simple plot, too simple for an Avengers movie . . . whatever that means. After seeing the film, and being a storyteller myself, I tend to agree and disagree. I do agree that the plot is weak and overshadowed by the immense amount of action sequences and bombardment of one-liners and punch lines. Very simply, the plot is “man makes monster, monster tries to destroy man, man destroys monster” . . . the Frankenstein concept, only with The Tin Man (Ultron). So there IS a plot, it IS weak or simple, but what most are overlooking is that that is by design!  

That’s right, the plot to one of the most anticipated movies this year was intentionally simple, or weak. That because . . . the whole movie itself IS a plot point. Avengers 2, the film, is basically a giant plot point for the over-all larger story of Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet. Anyone keeping up with the movie series knows where the movies are leading us, and you can’t get there without immaculately and intricately setting it up using the sequels to do so. To this fact the writers could turn out to be brilliant for their wherewithal to utilize this sequel in the manner that they did, ultimately leading up to the ultimate face between Thanos and … well, everyone else basically.

Something I truly loved and took away from the film, more than anything else really, was the deeper characterization of these heroes. Some falling in love, other’s revealing family secrets, more back story on others, and we even get the special treat of seeing how Marvel’s most powerful team parties down! The way the writers and director have the characters interact with each other in a party setting, in a chill hangout session, in downtime scenes, its just all really fun and cool. They really make this geek dream team of superheroes seem like a bunch of college buddies just hanging out, playing party games, pulling pranks on each other, just having a lot of fun and being able to relate to that … it felt amazing!

The story was basic but well done and followed through till the end. That’s the one up side of a simple plot fortunately.

The characters, as revealed above, evolve into perfectly rounded characters. Even slightly relatable! And the new characters to the film series, Ultron and Vision, were done masterfully. James Spader really brought the sarcastic, calculating, egotistical nature of Ultron to fruition. Ultron felt like he was literally just ripped out of the comics and put on screen, just a great adaptation! And Vision, just a badass character that tips the scales in the fight between Ultron and the Avengers. He’s written as a very complex character, possibly the most complex of any recent Marvel film of recent history, and really goes to bat for the Avengers team!

The writing, as seen above, was brilliant. The way they have all the characters interact with each other, the revelations they have regarding the future of the Marvel characters and story, and not to mention the jokes and one-liners that movie fans will get and comic fans will love, it was just very well written. I mean, when you’re not sitting with a big gapping look of “AUGH” on your face, you’ll be laughing your ass off.

The intention was obviously going to get a 5. I mean, they’d have to really screw up with WAY too many dramatic scenes to get anything less. Now some say there’s more action than the first, others say there’s a little less. I say who cares, if you’re actually so in tuned to how much action there is compared the first then here’s some advice . . . . . loosen up and just enjoy the ride!