AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON

GRADE: A -
Starring Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo,  Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson,  Jeremy Renner,
James Spader, Samuel L. Jackson
Written and Directed by Joss Whedon
Rated PG-13 (violence, profanity)
Reviewed by Paul Gibbs

If you're concerned that  Avengers: Age of Ultron looks like an overcrowded, bigger is better sequel, you're right.  Nevertheless, despite these imperfections, Marvel and Joss Whedon have once again delivered a summer thrill ride which is so thrilling, so funny and full of enough genuine heartfelt moments that it will leave audiences begging for more.

The film jumps right into the action, with the team reunited and attacking the stronghold of Baron Wolfgang Von Strucker (Thomas Kretschmann), a high ranking member of Hydra (if you don't know what Hydra is you have about seven other films to watch before seeing this one) who is experimenting on "enhanced" humans, giving them super powers. His prized projects are a payer of twins, Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). Of course the Avengers save the day, and are soon celebrating. But Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr) has fears that they can't handle things on their own, and talks Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) into helping him complete Ultron, a sentient computer program that will allow Stark's Iron Legion robots to protect the world. But as happens in any movie where somebody creates a sentient computer program, Ultron (James Spader) turns out to be a new supervillain.

The hilarious dialogue comes after us even more steadily than the heart-stopping action, and much of the heart in the film comes from the surprisingly touching budding romance between Banner and Natasha "Black Widow" Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson). In addition, Clint "Hawkeye" Barton (Jeremy Renner) is given far more to do this time around, and his subplot provides some extra emotion. Downey and Evans continue a dynamic similar to the battle of wills they had in the first Avengers film, and once again Chris Hemsworth's Thor is sadly underused, yet still manages to get an inordinate number of the films best laugh lines, and he hits them put of the park with flawless delivery.  Taylor-Johnson is solid as Quicksilver, and Olsen may well be the breakout star here. Finally, as Ultron, Spader provides the Marvel franchise with only its second great villain. Spader could read the Denny's menu and make it both chilling and uproariously funny.

There are so many dazzling action set pieces that some viewers may feel they need more of a chance to catch their breath, but for most moviegoers who enjoy the Marvel saga, this movie delivers in a major way. Yes, it's summer action/effects mayhem, but if that's what you want, Marvel is delivering it in a more consistently satisfying way than anyone else out there right now. Avengers: Age of Ultron is going to be another huge hit for them, and, despite some reservations about its overcrowding and choppy flow, I enthusiastically recommend it to fans of super heroes and/or popcorn cinema.