Avengers : AGE OF ULTRON (2015)

A difficult job if not impossible to make a follow-up that exceeds the Avengers. As much as any effort, a sequel will definitely not be "as fresh" predecessor films. Plus the very high expectations of the audience, making a sequel that's better than a masterpiece increasingly felt impossible. Christopher Nolan has felt it. This time it was Joss Whedon dealing with these challenges. She already embodies the "impossibility" for successfully combining many superheroes in one film. Age of Ultron shows that have been fused Avengers as a team, unlike in the first film when newly formed. It has been shown by action sequences opener when they stormed the headquarters of Baron Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann). The entrees are packaged nicely by Whedon, utilizing dynamic camera motion shows each superhero cooperate in the battle. Reminiscent of the climax of the first film.



Whedon has long promised a sequel that not only bigger but also darker. Even when asked the one word that best describes this film, he replied " death ". Whedon keep the janti. To achieve a darker movie some ways taken. Inserts humor quantity is reduced, though not eliminated. Characteristic of manuscripts Whedon is still felt. The interaction between the characters remain a couple of times a laugh. Not as effective as the first film, but still fresh, still so alive. Character (not just Tony Stark) threw a one-line joke in the middle of the battle so common sight. Armed with intelligence Whedon and the majority of the characters that have been formed in the films Earlier, the line does not change the jokes they become character sitcom. Whedon is still out of bounds. Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Ultron (James Spader) and Vision (Paul Bettany) has comedic moments each of which does not feel forced to out-of-character.



Age of Ultron is also noticeably darker as the story explores a lot of fear. Ultron created by Tony Stark fear that someday there is an enemy that can not be handled by the Avengers. The stronger the theme of "fear" due to the presence of Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) with the ability to manipulate the mind to bring one's worst nightmare. With the theme, if you dare to reckless Whedon could have made ​​this film a horror-themed superhero. Whedon is clearly aware of this potential. Some scenes thick atmosphere of horror. Starting from the dream sequence each Avengers, fleeting appearance of the corpse of a dead character bloody, hand cut scenes become "routine" phase 2 MCU as a reference to the Empire Strikes Back , until the early presence Scarlet Witch that feels more like a ghost than a woman superhero / villain comic adaptation standards. That success makes Age of Ultron MCU offerings can be darker, without forgetting the entertainment element.

But here comes the problems. Including Ultron, a total of 10 characters which must share the spotlight. Amount that exceeds even the movie X-Men though. Moreover, some of them such as Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch, Vision and Ultron was introduced in this film that requires recognition. Even for old characters even if there are additional sub-plots such as fear of Tony Stark plus disagreements with members of the team as a bridge towards Captain America: Civil War, the relationship of Bruce Banner and Black Widow, Hawkeye up exploration as a form of "pay off" undo-siakannya him in the first film , There are so many characters, there are so many things happening. Some arc actually worked. Hawkeye become more interesting character when her personal life is shown, or when he "lamented" about himself as an ordinary person who is stuck in the middle of the battle of the gods. The love story of Bruce and Natasha are increasingly raised gives uniqueness and romance of the best in the history of the MCU in addition to Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter.



But not all went smoothly. Effects shared universe so pronounced here. When James Gunn "saved" because of Guardians of the Galaxy is a stand alone , then the Age of Ultron like the climax of a phase. Should summarize what has happened, introducing new things, to give a tease of what would be present in the future ( Infinity Wars ). Yes, this time Joss Whedon trouble handling it. Age of Ultron is not just filling slots, but must be tied to events MCU disarm potential. The story was so highly stacked. For example story about twins Pietro and Wanda hasty execution. As a result, they have experienced the transition did not give more impact. I hope a turning point when the thrilling villain turned into a hero, but it does happen. A failure which also led to a lack of emotional impact on the climax.

But the biggest disappointment came from the figure of Ultron. Predicted as the villain nice MCU after Loki, Ultron just above average but not impressive. The complexity of the characters are misrepresented peace and destruction like just patch it. What's up to the audience only "Ultron wanted to destroy the world" like criminals in general. No more, no complexity that is present anyway due to hatred Ultron (kids) on Tony Stark (father). Certainly better than the figure of villain Marvel mostly, but like the Winter Soldier, Ultron has the potential to be in the realm of a more complex, more gray. Whedon tried to make Ultron more quirky, more bizarre with throw-throw jokes are in fact less effective. James Spader is not Tom Hiddlestone. Spader was more potentially a villain darker, more violent than the " joker "like Loki. Disarming the potential that makes Ultron seem less menacing than previously predicted by its promotional material.



Be not optimal, but Joss Whedon has done special here, or at least better than the other directors who hassles handle large amounts characters (ex: Sam Raimi, Brett Ratner, Marc Webb). Are unlikely to get better results with total main character touched double digits. At least each one of them has a chance to shine even though only a few minutes. Among them, the Scarlet Witch / Wanda Maximoff is my favorite. Such as the description of Mary Hill, " she's weird. " Occurrences initially mysterious and creepy. Although in the end turning into a side hero, his character still feels twisted. The potential that comes from characterization as well as the strength of pent Wanda is what can make it as Hulk in the movie forward, in the sense Avengers unwieldiness figure could even be a threat as in the comics.

The action scenes are still packed so well by Whedon. Dynamic camera movement, every explosion and blow origin is not yet ripe for the sake of choreography captivate calculated. Is not empty. Whedon also still good at making each Avengers seemed cool when in action, without excessive and annoying. All that is proof that Whedon not only understand but also love each existing characters. They look cool not because of a necessity, but because Whedon wanted the best for her character, and she knows how. But as I mentioned above, the atmosphere is fresh in the first film will not appear in the sequel. Still riveting, still bombastic, but see the superhero in action in one screen is no longer made ​​my hair stand or even tears. We again see the Avengers unite against the enemy forces, which still entertain but no longer exceptional. Plus climax still not as epic what is present in the trailer of his. Thanos might need to bring up the thrill it again.

Verdict: Age of Ultron not a massive epic. Nor blockbuster five-star as I expected. Fans will be entertained even the lay audience may not understand some of the references and inserts drama was bored by thick in the middle. But with the characters and the story that much, facts that the film does not fall apart even very entertaining is an impressive achievement as well as evidence of genius Joss Whedon.