Age of ultron By now, a large percentage of the population has seen the Avengers: Age of Ultron. Unlike the rest of said population, I thought it was the latest addition in another long list of Hollywood films that have imposed the idea of action and destruction equals a good movie.

I love action, death and destruction in all of their cinematic glories but why does it seem if I’m to enjoy most of what the summer blockbusters in this day and age have to offer, I have to check my common sense, curiosities and intelligence at the door?

There were a few issues I had with Age of Ultron.

*Unlike Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of Future Past, I didn’t care for the Avengers version. I really didn’t see a purpose for him being in the film at all.

*The redundancy of comedic one-liners, attempts at sarcasm and wit through-out the characters dialogue seemed forced and non-authentic.

*Easily the film’s best action sequence, the Hulk v Hulkbuster scene is epic but how the battle ended was completely unbelievable. It was as if to say…”okay let’s wrap this up so we can continue with the movie.”

*Too much focus on Hawk Eye. For some strange reason, viewers didn’t know he was a human being and possibly had a life before this film.

*Non-spoiler. There is a road chase sequence (that is also featured in the trailer of the film) through Korea in which the common citizens who are driving on the roads seem oblivious to the fight between the super powers that is taking place right in front of them. No one is slamming on their brakes or pulling over to the side of the road…nothing. Just think about that for a second. If you see a 9 foot tall robot and a man fighting while throwing his shield around for an extended period of time, would you drive as normal (just a few feet away from them) or would you brake and get the hell out of dodge?

*Speaking of 9 foot tall robots; as a super villain who is hell bent on human extinction, the Ultron character comes off less as a villain but more as a jilted cheerleader who has been cut from the Avengers squad. At one point in the theater a child behind me asked his father “is Ultron the bad guy?” That’s because there is not a sense of dread when he is present on screen. By contrast, the T-800 robot from the Terminator franchise (without the flesh) absolutely looks and feels like an evil robot who will kill you. Ultron feels like if you make him mad, he will put a banana in your tailpipe.

Ultron

At no point in the film did it feel like Ultron was a real threat or indestructible as it has been presented in the source material that is decades of comics, animated films and television.

Financially and commercially, Age of Ultron is to appeal to the biggest widest audience possible (PG-13) while keeping the viewers entertained with action and fire balls. I get it; if the people consume the same formula over and over again with much success, why change it?

Somehow fans feel if you can’t enjoy a make believe sci-fi-superhero-fantasy film because you as a viewer are using logic, good judgment and reasoning, you’re too serious and need to relax. To me this thought process is disrespectful to comic book, fantasy and sci-fi script writers and directors whose films and television series make sense while offering thought provoking dialogue and not treating the viewer like a 6 year old.

I felt the real goal of this film was to set up all the other Marvel films to come in the next 5-7 years. It should have been less of the coming line ups and more focus on the current film being presented.

2.5 Stars

 

Cypher Avenue Rating: 2.5 of 5