BYRON MCLEOD
The long awaited sequel to The Avengers is finally upon us and director Joss Whedon really delivers in the action department. The Avengers: Age of Ultron finds a balance between its fight scenes, and portraying its characters and their back stories in an intimate way. The movie starts off in the nation of Sokovia where an agent of Hydra, Baron Wolfgang von Strucker (Thomas Krestschmann), has been using Loki’s staff for experiments, along with his two prize subjects, twins Pietro and Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), and Wanda and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). The Avengers discover Wolfgang’s base and in true Marvel style, they make quick work of the Hydra operatives. After seizing Loki’s staff, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) use the staff to try to create an artificial intelligence that could potentially ward off any threats the earth could face in the future, known as Ultron (voiced by James Spader). This is where the true story begins.
Throughout the film, The Avengers: Age of Ultron’s running gags really help to lighten the mood during this somewhat serious movie. The Avengers: Age of Ultron also brings a realistic feel to the film with multiple back stories induced by the Scarlet Witch’s ability to meddle with people’s heads. This ability helps the film to connect to more of the side characters that haven’t been given a lot of focus in previous films, particularly Black Widow (Scarlet Johansson) and her training in becoming an assassin.
Despite these positive points, The Avengers: Age of Ultron doesn’t feel like a complete movie, but rather a set up for another sequel. Throughout the film the audience is bombarded with events and characters that are being set up specifically for future movies such as the upcoming Captain America: Civil War.
The Avengers: Age of Ultron may have its flaws but it definitely lives up to Joss Whedon’s reputation as a brilliant director.
To promote their half-price Tuesdays, Ster-Kinekor is giving away a set of double tickets to see The Avengers: Age of Ultron. Simply tell us: how many Avengers movies have been made?
If you don’t win, there’s no need to worry, as Ster-Kinekor’s half-price Tuesdays make movies affordable for students.
Rating: 4/5
Image: imbd.com
