The Avengers

Alright everyone, last night I saw the much anticipated “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and I am definitely looking forward to reviewing this epic movie. But first, I feel that I should give my opinion on the first movie, “The Avengers,” released in 2012.

Let’s just cut to the chase: “The Avengers” has it all and then some. Six superheroes for the price of one ticket: Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. Peter Traves from the Rolling Stone said in his review of this movie, “It's also the blockbuster I saw in my head when I imagined a movie that brought together the idols of the Marvel world in one shiny, stupendously exciting package.” It’s “Transformers” with a brain, a heart and a working sense of humor. Try and top that Michael Bay.

All bow down to the king of this dizzying, dazzling 3D action epic. Traves said it best, “That would be writer-director Joss Whedon, enjoying the afterglow of stellar reviews for deconstructing horror in The Cabin in the Woods.” Here, in his second directing movie (after “Serenity”), Joss Whedon stages the most successfully good-humored, head-on, exciting series of traps and escapes since Spielberg was a baby. Traves called this “Citizen Kane for Citizen Geek.”

The plot is simply functional. The world will end if Loki, reprised by Tom Hiddleston, the banished demigod, has his way. Loki hates his brother Thor, reprised by Chris Hemsworth, and desires to destroy Earth with help from an alien army. As head of S.H.I.E.L.D (Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate), Nick Fury, reprised by Samuel L. Jackson, has one option: Bring in the Avengers, a group of archetypes with a rep for not getting along with one another.

That’s the conflict, and the signal to unleash the FX. However, Whedon is exploring richer ground. He sees the Avengers as the ultimate dysfunctional family. Their powers have distanced them from the normal world. As a result, they’re lonely, cranky, emotional mistakes, which the actors have an enjoyable time playing. Robert Downey Jr. still seems wonderfully right as Tony Stark or Iron Man (there’s a deactivating itch in his portrayal). He jokes the costume of Captain America, reprised by Chris Evans, and calls the World War II hero an “old man.” The captain questions what’s under the iron suit, flashing a priceless Downey expressionless: “Genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist.”

There’s no doubt that the two Iron Man movies overshadowed Thor, Captain America and the two Hulk movies at the box office. However, Downey doesn’t confiscate the spotlight. Hemsworth’s giant-size Thor big laughs dismissing his comrades in arms (“You’re so tiny.”) Everyone gets to show their skill sets, including Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), the expert archer, and Natasha Romanoff or Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), a master of gymnastics and martial arts. Johansson has a terrific part taking out some Russian mafias with her hands literally tied behind her back. Wait till you see the funny and touching stuff the clever Clark Gregg does as Agent Phil Coulson.

Mark Ruffalo is the newcomer to the team, replacing Eric Bana and Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, the nuclear physicist with a temper problem that turns him into the green rage machine, Hulk. Traves mentioned, “Ruffalo brings a scruffy warmth and humor to the role that's revelatory.” His verbal fights with Downey – two pros at the top of their games – are just enjoyable to watch.  Traves mentioned, “And, wonder of wonders, the tech­ies finally get the scale of the Hulk right. The computerized unjolly green giant is a jumbo scene-stealer.” It’s hard not to cheer up when Hulk smashes Loki on the floor. Ruffalo is probably the best Hulk since he plays the role like he’s gone through all this torture that he wants nothing to do with it anymore, but unfortunately in this case, he has no choice.

Speaking of Loki, and it’s hard not to, bring on a shower of praise for Hiddleston. A superhero movie is only as good as its villain, and Hiddleston is dynamite. The role of Loki wants sixth sense, humor and crazy daring, and Hiddleston plays it. This British actor is a force to reckon with.

Loki says early in the movie that his heart “burns with glorious purpose.” Traves said, “He's got nothing on Whedon, a filmmaker who knows that even the roaringest action sequences won't resonate without audience investment in the characters.” Whedon is not afraid to slow down to let feelings sink in. Fanboy sacrileges, perhaps, but the key to the film’s supersmart, supercool triumph. In the final third, when Whedon lets it rip and turns the battle intensity up to 11, all your senses will be blown away. Won’t be until “Man of Steel,” where the final action scene will rival the action scene in this movie. I can’t say which one is better though.

Spoiler alert: a mid-credit scene shows the Other (Alexis Denisof) talks with his master (Damion Poitier) about the failed attack on Earth. In the post-credit scene, the Avengers eat in silence at a shawarma restaurant.

If you haven’t seen this movie, why are reading this review? Go out and see it for crying out loud because at the time this movie was released, I thought it was the best Marvel movie. Definitely belongs in the top 10 best comic book adaptations ever, and it's another one of my favorite comic book films, even though I didn’t grow up with The Avengers. The superheroes I grew up with were Batman, Superman, X-Men, Spiderman, and a little of the Hulk and Iron Man. However, this film did not disappoint after much build-up from the previous movies.

Now what can be said about the much-anticipated sequel “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” which came out on the first of May? Time to find out:

Captain America actually says the S word. You heard right. “Language,” yells Iron Man, who can’t hide his hilarity at seeing the Captain, a flag-wearing Greatest Generation war hero, knock his tight image. You won’t have more fun anywhere than losing yourself at “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” You don’t have to be a Marvel geek to get with the vibe. In this sequel to “The Avengers,” (which got writer-director Joss Whedon to reach world box-office domination) the movie swings for the fences, going darker and deeper into the damaged minds of this dysfunctional family of superheroes.

Don’t get me wrong. “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is a whole summer of fireworks thrown into one movie. It doesn’t just go up to 11, it starts there. However, it’s best when Whedon offends against the Hollywood commandment of playing it safe. He takes a few wrong turns, creating a clutter when the action gets too thick. However, it recovers like a pro, inventing a scene that’s epic in every sense of the word.

What do you need to know? That Tony Stark/Iron Man has messed up, big time. His peacekeeping program, Ultron, has become a robotic force of artificial intelligence, motion-captured and voiced by James Spader sounding like Peter Cullan, target on destroying every human on the planet. That can’t happen, so call The Avengers, including Thor and Captain America for hammer-and-shield showmanship, Hulk for tempering rage with romantic moments from Black Widow, and, best of all, Hawkeye for a surprising backstory that Renner fills with exciting humor and emotional heft. He’s better here since in the first movie, Hawkeye spent most of the movie mind controlled. We even find out that he has a wife (Linda Cardellini) and two children, with his wife expecting a third.

For added flavor, Whedon brings in the newbies. There’s the twins, Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). Someone points out that “he’s fast and she’s weird.” That’s not the half of it. Traves mentioned in his review, “When Whedon and his FX team send the twins' fictional Eastern European country into orbit, you'll see why.” Still, no one steals scenes from Ultron, except the Vision, an android played with emotive gravity by Paul Bettany, who also is back voicing Iron Man’s A.I. best friend J.A.R.V.I.S. and who agents the film’s moral challenge.

Wait, what…moral challenge? What kind of escapism is this? Traves mentioned, “IMO, it's the best kind, the kind that sticks with you.” Whedon is the true master of the Marvel Cinematic Universe onscreen. He won’t be back when “Avengers: Infinity Part 1” and “Part 2” start shooting next year. The Russo brothers will take the controls. That makes “Avengers: Age of Ultron” Whedon’s last “Avengers” good job. The monumental battle between the gods and monsters that he creates to end the film does him proud. Take a bow Mr. Whedon.

Don Cheadle is in this movie reprising James Rhodes/War Machine and Anthony Mackie reprises Falcon, although I was mad that they didn’t use him in the final fight. Speaking of the final fight, it is a disappointment that it’s just Ultron showing up, the Avengers fight him, and that’s it. I wish there was more to it than that. However, the action is great, the characters are furthered, there is more comedy, and the movie really takes it up a notch. In my opinion, this is better than the first movie and it’s the best Marvel movie, although it currently has a 74% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Spoiler alert: there’s a mid-credit scene where Thanos, cameo by Josh Brolin, puts on the gauntlet and says that he will retrieve the Infinity Stones himself.

In the end, you have to go see this movie in the theaters, you will love it. I will say that if you haven’t seen the first one; see that before you see this movie. Bear in mind; do not leave the theater to get more food and drinks from the concession stands because you will miss out on stuff. This movie is in the top 5 best comic book adaptations and a good start to comic book movies this year. This is another one of my favorite comic book films.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this long post on the two Avengers movies. However, Phase Two is not over yet. We still have “Ant-Man,” which is coming out later this year, so let’s wait for that. Thank you joining in on my review and stay tuned for next Friday on the next installment of “Jack Nicholson Month.”