‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ May Be the Best MCU Movie and Here’s Why
Following the Battle of New York against Loki and the Chitauri and the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers set their sights on dismantling the remnants of Hydra, and reclaiming Loki's scepter. The opening scene finds them fighting their way through hostile controlled woods in the Eastern European country of Sokovia. This intense action sequence shows what the Avengers were meant to be and what they can achieve when working together as a team before they come together again in Civil War.
This opening battle is the microcosm of what makes Avengers: Age of Ultron the best movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Our favorite characters kicking butt by playing to their strengths. It is an action sequence straight out of the comic books. One of the strengths of the MCU is the different themes, directing styles, and overall feel of each film. Age of Ultron, much like Falcon and the Winter Soldier, sets itself up as a fast-paced action movie. With black market arms dealers smuggling vibranium, a technological nightmare terrorizing Europe, and a climactic, slow-motion action sequence in a church, Age of Ultron would fit right in with 80s action thrillers.
Adding flavor to the movie is the entertaining banter of characters like Hawkeye (acknowledging he is a bit outgunned with just a bow), and Ultron (complete with a creepy song from a children's story), voiced by the talented James Spader. While Marvel's comedy and one liners sometimes fail to land, Spader's Ultron has an astonishing success rate during his lighter moments, and still manages to be a brutal and intimidating antagonist. Age of Ultron also sees the introduction of the Maximoff twins. Created by the power of the Mind Stone, Wanda (Scarlet Witch) would walk a long and winding path to become an integral part of the post-Endgame MCU. Pietro (Quicksilver), while significantly shorter-lived than his twin sister, is the centerpiece of one of the most emotional moments of the film. Throughout the film, Quicksilver and Hawkeye quip back and forth at each other, repeating the same line, "You didn't see that coming?" In his final moments, as Pietro pushes Hawkeye and a small boy out of the way of Ultron's strafing run, taking the bullets in the process, he has just enough life left for one final quip before crumbling to the ground.
"You didn't see that coming?" - Pietro Maximoff (Quicksilver)
Easily the weakest part of the film is the heavily forced and awkwardly written romance between Natasha Romanoff and Bruce Banner. While the romance plays an important role in the character development of Black Widow by revealing her origins and motivations, Mark Ruffalo appears to be playing a completely different character than Bruce Banner in these scenes. This also seems to be the only MCU movie that even mention this relationship. There is virtually no lead or follow up with the slight exception of Natasha's message to the Hulk cropping up once again in Thor: Ragnarok. The romance ends just as fast as it begins.
While there is certainly arguments to be made that Avengers: Infinity War is more intense with a more dangerous enemy and higher stakes, and Thor: Ragnarok is more creative with its colorful aesthetic, Avengers: Age of Ultron is, without a doubt, the best at honoring the comic roots that sprouted the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is a good old-fashioned, action-packed, slow motion, "cheesy-lines-filled" action thriller straight from the pages of Stan Lee's best works. With plenty of awesome fights and funny moments for our favorite characters, a solid introduction for Wanda Maximoff, and a noble sacrifice on the part of Pietro Maximoff, Age of Ultron is both enjoyable, and is effectively a turning point for the Avengers franchise.