Age of Ultron - a very spoilery review
This is not a review as much as a bulletpoints of observations. It's ULTRAspoilery, no stones unturned, so only read it AFTER you see it, ok?
So no, it wasn't as good as the first Avengers, I don't know where would I classify it as far as my list goes, but definitely not in the top 3. Possibly between the third and first Iron Man, or maybe even under it, IDK, I need to watch it at least two more times to decide, on top of the three times I already watched it >_>
Overall I enjoyed it but there was quite a few bits that were making me frustrated, especially on the second and third viewing
Assorted musing:
- I watched it in both 2D and 3D (twice) and I must say, I liked it in 2D better. The fight at the beginning was blurry and unfocused in 3D and to be honest, the overload of VFX was making it look like a videogame cutscene
- THEY TOTALLY FUCKING IGNORED THE FACT THAT AT THE END OF IM3 TONY DESTROYED HIS SUITS AND CASED TO BE IRON MAN! Not a word of explanation!! Not a single line to explain it! Nothing!! ~LOLing forever~
- I was avoiding all spoilers, so I had no idea that Falcon is going to show up. He's my favourite. But at the same time, I was disappointed he didn't show up during the final fight with Ultron, totally should be up there with War Machine. SPEAKING OF WHICH WAR MACHINE IS WAR MACHINE AGAIN?!?! BUT IN IM3.... oh never mind
- no Agent 13?! They literally got everyone for this! Boo! Hiss! But at least that cute guy from Winter Soldier made a reappearance.
- no Pepper or Jane too but that scene with Thor and Tony fighting over which one of their girlfriends is better was hilarious
- "Elevator is not worthy"
- Vision stealing the idea of having a cape from Thor. A very good, tiny moment that explains his - after all - functionless cape
- Thor said that four jewels had resurfaced but he only should have known about 3: Loki's staff, Tesseract and Aether. The fourth jewel was uncovered by the Guardians. Btw, what the hell happened to Aether, it was in Collector's possession, is it still there? Did the Assgardians find out about the explosion and took it back and also found out about the other jewel? So it's not a plot hole as much as a minor gripe but still I'd rather if they explained it in the film.
- there's going to be like a bazillion sleepover fics, right? I'm not complaining, bring them on
- the fights were too long, that Hulkbuster thing especially, I'd rather get some more actual interaction between the characters. Actually, both the fights in South Africa and Korea were waaaaaaaaay too long, I was getting a headache. The flashbacks were far more interesting
- on the other hand, the final battle in the Fakecoutry where everybody is speaking in accented English was amazing. When I was watching the film for the third time I was actually thinking that I'm too tired for this but when they started to evacuate the people, I was on the edge of my sit
- "Good talk" "No it wasn't!"
- I was totally getting the vibe that the fact that they put so much emphasis on saving the civilians was a FU directed and MoS. I'm ok with that
- yeah I want that moment with Tony, Vision and Thor zapping Ultron on an icon
Characters:
- Ultron - the character - was great, completely different from what I excepted him to be, much funnier, but I was disappointed by his conception and origins. Judging from the trailers I thought he was something that Tony had already created and "enslaved", hence his hatred of Tony, hence him bragging about not having any strings. Instead-- I don't even know what the fuck happened there?! Where did that AI program came from? The jewel itself? The casing? Whaaaaat? I didn't get that bit at all. And then Ultron is born and instantly becomes a Final Fantasy villain??? What was even his motivation here????? Nope, that was definitely the weakest point of the film. Ultron should have already been a thing - maybe something controlling the Iron Legion - that was gifted consciousness thanks to the mind jewel - he was a slave, but now he's free
- Tony was the least likeable that he's ever been here. Yes, I know it was Wanda's doing but the problem with Tony is that yes, he is that arrogant. I also already brought a this up but the fact that they completely ignored Tony's character arc and development from the 3rd film was odd.
----Consider: Tony gives up his suits, refuses to be Iron Man, only pilots the Quinjet for the team and builds Ultron to make up for the lack of Iron Man. Wanda gets him when he's on his own. Then Ultron gains sentience due to the staff's/jewel's meddling, Tony is forced to don the suit when they go after him, which is empathises further when he's the only person capable of stopping Hulk when he goes on a rampage
- Hawkeye was on fire! After getting totally shafted in the first film, I'd say he was the best character in this one. And come on, we all were thinking it, we all thought Whedon is going to kill him! His family was adorbs. Also "I have a bow and arrow, none of this makes any sense" and "nobody would know" - best lines of the film
- WHERE IS THE SOLO WIDOW FILM JFC MARVEL STOP BEING IDIOTS. She's such an amazing character, especially now that we know so much about her and her motivations.
- Thor and Cap once again playing second fiddles, you could have removed them from the film and nothing would have changed. Thor especially, his only purpose was to have the vision and set up the stage for the Ragnarock and the Infinity War. Cap was only there to say motivational things and argue with Tony. But then, they both had multiple films, let the small people have their moment
- Bruce continues to be the unexpected heart of the team *chants* Planet Hulk! Planet Hulk! Planet Hulk! ...just, not the ending ok? Just till he marries Caiera. Goddamit, give me Caiera. And Brood!!!!!! Planet Hulk! Planet Hulk!!!
- The Twins. DID NOT EXPECT TO LIKE THEM! I remember watching Godzilla and thinking "god those two are awful - no charisma" and look at me now! I want more Witch. As for Quicksilver, no, I did not see that coming *sooooobs*
- I need more Hill. Where is Hill? More!!!! (Hey, remember when Maria Hill was literally Hitler?)
- everyone's loosing their mind over Vision but I was only ok with him. I liked him but I wasn't crazy about him, he's just an odd duck in a CGI cape
- FALCON IS NOW OFFICIALLY AN AVENGER THANK YOU BABY JESUS
- Peggy! Can we time travel Peggy somehow?
- ok but who he hell was the Korean lady? She came out of nowhere but the film was presenting her as if she was someone familiar
Relationships:
- they sunk so many ships in this one! Clintasha, Science Bros (though they still got excellent scenes together), Coulson/Clint if it was still a thing, Cap/Natasha. But my Falcon/Cap is still strong :D
- well, shave my legs and call me beach ready, I actually liked the Natasha/Bruce romance! What is it I don't even! Yes, it came completely out of nowhere and made me feel like I have missed a film where this was established but, but, look, I cried (twice) when Natasha was telling Bruce about being sterilised, I loved that scene, because guess what, it took EXTREME COURAGE to admit it, being strong isn't only about doing backflips and punching robots. I think that Natasha had always seen herself as someone who'd never redeem herself, maybe even someone unworthy of love, so her opening up to Bruce was major as far as her character goes.
So yeah, I ship it but I'm also not crazy about it. Totally ok and understanding if people don't like it.
- Tony and Bruce have such an odd relationship in this film. They are totes science bros but Bruce always getting along with whatever Tony wants and I'm not ok with that. Tony comes off like a bully. Yes, the first time around he was under the influence of Wanda but when he created Vision? That was only his arrogance - that he literally spent the entire 3rd film and half of this film paying for... OH I FORGOT WHAT THIRD IM FILM *siiiiighs*
- Hawkeye and Mrs Hawkeye... wow, I did NOT see that coming *realises what she's just said* *sobs for 30 minutes* But yeah, it was an awesome moment, my jaw dropped though for 0.4 sec I hoped it might be a man. Ah, well, I loved the Barton family, I mean we knew that Hawkeye/Mockingbird are not going to be a thing in MCU
- DID YOU SEE DID YOU DID YOU OMG VISION CARRIED WANDA OTP OTP OTP OTP OTP NOW GET MARRIED ASAP AND GIVE ME BILLY AND TOMMY AND YOUNG AVENGERS
- we've seen the relationship between Tony and Jarvis develop for 4 films - I bought them as friends, I saw Jarvis as an actual character - so the lack of scenes between Tony and Vidion is baffling. I bet it ended up on the cutting room floor
Easter eggs:
- I'm pretty sure that the Hulkbuster is called "Veronica" because of Betty and Veronica from Archie's comics. Betty is, of course, the name of Bruce's One True Love, while in the comic books, Veronica is Betty's rival
- one of the girl!puter programs that Tony looks at before the final fight - when he chooses Friday to upload to his armour - is called Jocasta
So no, it wasn't as good as the first Avengers, I don't know where would I classify it as far as my list goes, but definitely not in the top 3. Possibly between the third and first Iron Man, or maybe even under it, IDK, I need to watch it at least two more times to decide, on top of the three times I already watched it >_>
Overall I enjoyed it but there was quite a few bits that were making me frustrated, especially on the second and third viewing
Assorted musing:
- I watched it in both 2D and 3D (twice) and I must say, I liked it in 2D better. The fight at the beginning was blurry and unfocused in 3D and to be honest, the overload of VFX was making it look like a videogame cutscene
- THEY TOTALLY FUCKING IGNORED THE FACT THAT AT THE END OF IM3 TONY DESTROYED HIS SUITS AND CASED TO BE IRON MAN! Not a word of explanation!! Not a single line to explain it! Nothing!! ~LOLing forever~
- I was avoiding all spoilers, so I had no idea that Falcon is going to show up. He's my favourite. But at the same time, I was disappointed he didn't show up during the final fight with Ultron, totally should be up there with War Machine. SPEAKING OF WHICH WAR MACHINE IS WAR MACHINE AGAIN?!?! BUT IN IM3.... oh never mind
- no Agent 13?! They literally got everyone for this! Boo! Hiss! But at least that cute guy from Winter Soldier made a reappearance.
- no Pepper or Jane too but that scene with Thor and Tony fighting over which one of their girlfriends is better was hilarious
- "Elevator is not worthy"
- Vision stealing the idea of having a cape from Thor. A very good, tiny moment that explains his - after all - functionless cape
- Thor said that four jewels had resurfaced but he only should have known about 3: Loki's staff, Tesseract and Aether. The fourth jewel was uncovered by the Guardians. Btw, what the hell happened to Aether, it was in Collector's possession, is it still there? Did the Assgardians find out about the explosion and took it back and also found out about the other jewel? So it's not a plot hole as much as a minor gripe but still I'd rather if they explained it in the film.
- there's going to be like a bazillion sleepover fics, right? I'm not complaining, bring them on
- the fights were too long, that Hulkbuster thing especially, I'd rather get some more actual interaction between the characters. Actually, both the fights in South Africa and Korea were waaaaaaaaay too long, I was getting a headache. The flashbacks were far more interesting
- on the other hand, the final battle in the Fakecoutry where everybody is speaking in accented English was amazing. When I was watching the film for the third time I was actually thinking that I'm too tired for this but when they started to evacuate the people, I was on the edge of my sit
- "Good talk" "No it wasn't!"
- I was totally getting the vibe that the fact that they put so much emphasis on saving the civilians was a FU directed and MoS. I'm ok with that
- yeah I want that moment with Tony, Vision and Thor zapping Ultron on an icon
Characters:
- Ultron - the character - was great, completely different from what I excepted him to be, much funnier, but I was disappointed by his conception and origins. Judging from the trailers I thought he was something that Tony had already created and "enslaved", hence his hatred of Tony, hence him bragging about not having any strings. Instead-- I don't even know what the fuck happened there?! Where did that AI program came from? The jewel itself? The casing? Whaaaaat? I didn't get that bit at all. And then Ultron is born and instantly becomes a Final Fantasy villain??? What was even his motivation here????? Nope, that was definitely the weakest point of the film. Ultron should have already been a thing - maybe something controlling the Iron Legion - that was gifted consciousness thanks to the mind jewel - he was a slave, but now he's free
- Tony was the least likeable that he's ever been here. Yes, I know it was Wanda's doing but the problem with Tony is that yes, he is that arrogant. I also already brought a this up but the fact that they completely ignored Tony's character arc and development from the 3rd film was odd.
----Consider: Tony gives up his suits, refuses to be Iron Man, only pilots the Quinjet for the team and builds Ultron to make up for the lack of Iron Man. Wanda gets him when he's on his own. Then Ultron gains sentience due to the staff's/jewel's meddling, Tony is forced to don the suit when they go after him, which is empathises further when he's the only person capable of stopping Hulk when he goes on a rampage
- Hawkeye was on fire! After getting totally shafted in the first film, I'd say he was the best character in this one. And come on, we all were thinking it, we all thought Whedon is going to kill him! His family was adorbs. Also "I have a bow and arrow, none of this makes any sense" and "nobody would know" - best lines of the film
- WHERE IS THE SOLO WIDOW FILM JFC MARVEL STOP BEING IDIOTS. She's such an amazing character, especially now that we know so much about her and her motivations.
- Thor and Cap once again playing second fiddles, you could have removed them from the film and nothing would have changed. Thor especially, his only purpose was to have the vision and set up the stage for the Ragnarock and the Infinity War. Cap was only there to say motivational things and argue with Tony. But then, they both had multiple films, let the small people have their moment
- Bruce continues to be the unexpected heart of the team *chants* Planet Hulk! Planet Hulk! Planet Hulk! ...just, not the ending ok? Just till he marries Caiera. Goddamit, give me Caiera. And Brood!!!!!! Planet Hulk! Planet Hulk!!!
- The Twins. DID NOT EXPECT TO LIKE THEM! I remember watching Godzilla and thinking "god those two are awful - no charisma" and look at me now! I want more Witch. As for Quicksilver, no, I did not see that coming *sooooobs*
- I need more Hill. Where is Hill? More!!!! (Hey, remember when Maria Hill was literally Hitler?)
- everyone's loosing their mind over Vision but I was only ok with him. I liked him but I wasn't crazy about him, he's just an odd duck in a CGI cape
- FALCON IS NOW OFFICIALLY AN AVENGER THANK YOU BABY JESUS
- Peggy! Can we time travel Peggy somehow?
- ok but who he hell was the Korean lady? She came out of nowhere but the film was presenting her as if she was someone familiar
Relationships:
- they sunk so many ships in this one! Clintasha, Science Bros (though they still got excellent scenes together), Coulson/Clint if it was still a thing, Cap/Natasha. But my Falcon/Cap is still strong :D
- well, shave my legs and call me beach ready, I actually liked the Natasha/Bruce romance! What is it I don't even! Yes, it came completely out of nowhere and made me feel like I have missed a film where this was established but, but, look, I cried (twice) when Natasha was telling Bruce about being sterilised, I loved that scene, because guess what, it took EXTREME COURAGE to admit it, being strong isn't only about doing backflips and punching robots. I think that Natasha had always seen herself as someone who'd never redeem herself, maybe even someone unworthy of love, so her opening up to Bruce was major as far as her character goes.
So yeah, I ship it but I'm also not crazy about it. Totally ok and understanding if people don't like it.
- Tony and Bruce have such an odd relationship in this film. They are totes science bros but Bruce always getting along with whatever Tony wants and I'm not ok with that. Tony comes off like a bully. Yes, the first time around he was under the influence of Wanda but when he created Vision? That was only his arrogance - that he literally spent the entire 3rd film and half of this film paying for... OH I FORGOT WHAT THIRD IM FILM *siiiiighs*
- Hawkeye and Mrs Hawkeye... wow, I did NOT see that coming *realises what she's just said* *sobs for 30 minutes* But yeah, it was an awesome moment, my jaw dropped though for 0.4 sec I hoped it might be a man. Ah, well, I loved the Barton family, I mean we knew that Hawkeye/Mockingbird are not going to be a thing in MCU
- DID YOU SEE DID YOU DID YOU OMG VISION CARRIED WANDA OTP OTP OTP OTP OTP NOW GET MARRIED ASAP AND GIVE ME BILLY AND TOMMY AND YOUNG AVENGERS
- we've seen the relationship between Tony and Jarvis develop for 4 films - I bought them as friends, I saw Jarvis as an actual character - so the lack of scenes between Tony and Vidion is baffling. I bet it ended up on the cutting room floor
Easter eggs:
- I'm pretty sure that the Hulkbuster is called "Veronica" because of Betty and Veronica from Archie's comics. Betty is, of course, the name of Bruce's One True Love, while in the comic books, Veronica is Betty's rival
- one of the girl!puter programs that Tony looks at before the final fight - when he chooses Friday to upload to his armour - is called Jocasta