Simplicity is the core essence of what every Marvel film has enact for. Delving deeper into a wholly knit Canopus that extracts the inner child among even the most casual of moviegoers. I sat before the screen, watched the Avengers tarnish any type of baddie that threw forth even a sliver of apprehension in the 2012 film (the first type of crossover the genre has ever seen) and what was teased for so long finally came to it’s own salvation. From the wonderfully tight knit of the film in which started this whole craze, Iron Man, to the outer depths of the galaxy just last August. Yet again I sit here writing another review for a film that is so deeply intertwined that even Joss Whedon can’t understand. Or maybe he did. This latest adventure isn’t perfect, but you will love it either way.

‘Age Of Ultron’ is stunning, for all the wrong reasons. Yet eerily potentate in how the mayhem, a midst destruction causes some tensions. A fan boy is here before you, geeked at the outer realms of where this shared universe is heading. But for the time being there is far more to dissect.

The film opens in the fictional Eastern European country of Sokovia where our pals (Captain America, Thor, Iron-Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and the loveable green guy) are penetrating a Hydra facility headed by mad physicist, Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, who has been doing human experiments with the scepter previously wielded by the God of mischief himself, Loki (picture the post-credit scene in Winter Soldier)

Inside the group finds the height of what was being created. The twins, que Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver. The former having mind-controlling capabilities while the latter is equipped with super-human speed. Mr. Tony Stark eventually captures the stolen scepter and insists on it’s own energy source to help create an artificial intelligence or, for the folks at home, the Ultron program. Bad. Very bad. Turns out Ultron is a megadeth super-compatible, mongrel hell bent on world domination (or extinction) it’s always what the baddies want right?

Ultron moves quicker than any cyber creation in the history of man. He up-links to millions of servers in seconds, and can apprehend any threat within half that time. Ultron is one tough cookie you don’t wanna crack, he is the Avengers greatest foe, and toughest advisory to date. He makes the past villains (circa. Loki, Winter Soldier, Red Skull) look as though they are, to quote Ultron, “puppets on a string.” So prepare for one of the better climactic battles of the 21st century, one that is far more enticing than the previous sequel, and a little better executed I’d say. Partially thanks to the terrific voice contention of James Spader. A very recluse choice at first, many pegging the bigger question ‘can he do this villain justice?’ and what a delightful surprise of his vocal talents. Spader brings Ultron to life in a vicious yet archaic tone that gives him purpose, while also giving him weakness. Like the character itself Pinocchio: Ultron has to grow and adapt on his own, learn through others mistakes, really he is just a kid at heart, unbecoming of his own limitations.

The rest of the cast (Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson) are all still in tact with some familiar faces makes cameos: Falcon (Anthony Mackie), and War Machine (Don Cheadle). While Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Quicksilver (Aaron-Taylor Johnson) make their Marvel debut. Not counting X-Men: Days Of Future Past (although their rendition of Quicksilver was…less Russian.) Downey is always at the prime of all the action who can seem to keep the movie in check with his charm. This time, however, his depth is far beyond his reach. That’s probably because Stark decided to make a peace-keeping program that turned into a homicidal dictator. Seems fair enough. Evans does a-lot of root work (again) becoming the voice of reason, and has since (at least Winter Soldier) established himself as the Captain. Thor is still dueling with his hammer of destruction (that only HE can pick up-mind you) there is a fun scene involving the group trying to pick up the hammer. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlet Johansson) are forging the inner looking of a fine relationship (I think?) and finally, FINALLY, Hawkeye (Renner) gets some much needed screen time, a great third act speech, and ever so reminding the entire nation why this character DESERVES his own movie.

I think that’s almost everyone right? I need to start keeping a family tree.

Only in terrific Joss Whedon fashion can he manage to pull all these characters (with their own back-stories) and give that sense of closure without adding any battle fatigue. Running even shorter than the first Avengers, the film is fast paced, but can stabilize here and there to show rendition to the plot devices. The foreshadowing of future events are ever so daunting (yet those require their own separate dissertation.) A grueling task it must be to direct these films, and Whedon does so with a gusto fashion. I will never forget Tony Stark wearing his ‘Hulkbuster’ suit of armor and throwing down with the big guy himself. Buildings are crashing, cars exploding, all in good sportsmanship fashion, and theirs enough story driven cinematics to keep it from being a loud boom-fest in the vein of Transformers. Then to even out the playing field (Ultron is a badass need I remind you.) An equally equipped design known as Vision (Paul Bettany) comes forth towards the end of the film to introduce yet another character into the universe. It’s growing by the multitude.

The only fault this time around is the gimmick of seeing this beloved heroes duke it out again isn’t nearly as engaging (especially when you have movies like, the aforementioned, Captain America: Winter Soldier, be far more superior as a stand-alone adventure rather than an ensemble piece) I also was hesitant on the dramatic effect of Ultron and his fruition, his lines of dialogue are played for laughs, but his intentions are cruel. I wanted to relish in his glory, but I felt the script was playing him with a sense of humor.

Whatever need it be. rest assured fans, ‘Age Of Ultron’ works in almost every sequence. The characters are back again, and some new questions are brought forth, plot holes were created, but, it all seems right. Everything is a puzzle in this universe. You have to keep up with the change of pace, or else theirs hardly any use investing time. Although most can watch this 11th entry and understand the basics, while little things (Infinity Stones, Thanos) will fly by the wayside. The film never really settles on one topic in particular, as there is more than enough here to keep fans buzzing on the waste side for the next three years. Some assembly maybe required.  Grade: A-

*This will be my last review for SPECTRA this school year. If you would like to stay updated on my reviews over the summer. Read my blog @www.themoviebuffblog.weebly.com THANKS SO MUCH for an amazing year. We will see you next time!