Avengers sequel proves predictable, but entertaining

James+Spader+voices+Ultron%2C+the+antagonist+of+the+Avengers%3A+Age+of+Ultron.

Fair Use Image courtesy of Marvel

James Spader voices Ultron, the antagonist of the Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Patrick Commers, Arts Blogger

Okay, let’s be honest, if you haven’t seen this movie yet you must have been living under a rock for the past four weeks. What was expected to be another box office hit was. What was expected to be an action packed movie with a few less explosions and action sequences than a Michael Bay film was just that. It was predictable as any of the other action movies that have come out in the past four to five years with huge stars mixed in. Marvel has made great movies, but nothing that took risks and really surprised audiences.

Set a couple years after the original movie, the Avengers are seen fighting an evil organization known as Hydra. Obviously the heroes are seen winning in stunning visual effects. This is also the introduction of two now fan favorite characters, Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, who are fighting for Hydra because they believe that Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) is responsible for their parents death. As the movie progresses, Stark and Bruce Banner (Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo) are trying to produce an Artificial Intelligence that would be able to protect the world, allowing the Avengers to eventually become obsolete. This, of course, does not go as planned (Is there any movie though where AI works though?) and they accidentally create the namesake and antagonist for the film, Ultron, who believes that to save the world he must rid it of humans. You might wonder if the Avengers make it out alive, but wait, they already announced two more movies to be released in 2018 and 2019, so if you were expecting a plot twist take a pass on this one.

The movie attempts to use what has worked in the past for most other superhero films, and for the most part they succeed. Robert Downey Jr. does what RDJ does best, makes wisecracks and provides most of the humor for the movie. Other Avengers such as Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk are great to watch and provide great entertainment for the two hour plus movie. Marvel has become incredibly predictable and it has to do in part with the string of movies that they have linked together, but this one by itself is unable to stand on its own like other ones that the studio has released (such as Guardians of the Galaxy).

So, going to this movie would be a wise move, especially if you want to keep up with the Marvel films, but only for that reason. It is good, but not that great.