The Endgame: Whatever It Takes

Now that it's been almost two weeks since the release of Avengers: Endgame, I think spoilers are fair game. This won't be a spoiler review, but I'm going to discuss why I believe Endgame is an excellent companion piece to Infinity War. If you haven't seen either film, click away and come back to read this another time! Though my reviews for both films are safe to read if you'd like to check those out! Without further ado, let's dive into spoiler-territory.

**Spoiler Warning for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame**

Thematically, Infinity War and Endgame are both about sacrifice. There's certainly more at play than that, but a recurring question through these two films is where do these characters draw the line? There are many contributing causes to Thanos' victory and subsequent snap at the end of Infinity War, but the Avengers lost primarily due to an unwillingness to set aside personal differences and trade one life for the sake of saving billions till it was too late. 

Why The Avengers Lost

Captain America: Civil War left our main heroes divided, with Tony Stark harboring a bitter resentment towards Steve Rogers. Rogers knew that Hydra had assassinated Tony's parents and suspected Bucky may have had some involvement, but kept that information from Tony to protect his friend. However, it's important to remember that Steve offers an olive branch at the end of Civil War by sending Stark a flip-phone so Tony can call whenever he needs him. Steve is open to patching things up, but it's up to Tony to make that phone call and forgive Steve. 

It's understandable why Tony was upset, but his reservation to contact Steve may have doomed the heroes from the outset. Not to mention that a majority of the Earth-bound Avengers were on-the-run or under house arrest as a result of the Sokovia Accords. Since Tony didn't call Steve and the heroes were scattered, the Avengers were unable to present a united front against Thanos. Would that alone have been enough to stop him? Probably not. 

Another significant factor which held the Avengers back was Captain America's insistence that the team doesn't trade lives. A noble sentiment, but one which enabled Thanos to collect the Mind Stone eventually. Vision recognized that the stone could be destroyed and, while it would come at the cost of his own life, his sacrifice could protect half of all life. Instead, the team sought out assistance from Shuri in Wakanda to attempt safely removing the stone. Unfortunately, Shuri didn't have enough time to complete the procedure, and Wanda waited to destroy the stone at the last possible moment. Though she was successful, Thanos was able to reverse things with the Time Stone and claim his prize. 

Why Thanos won

On the flip-side, Thanos wins in Infinity War because he was willing to sacrifice everything to achieve his goal and wipe out half of all life. Thanos' relentless conviction drives him to do the worst things imaginable in pursuit of balance. He conquers planets, kills half the population, submits his adopted children to physical, emotional, and psychological torture, and even pushed his daughter off a cliff to obtain the Soul Stone. Thanos justifies his behavior by believing his actions will restore order in the universe. His experience on his homeworld lead him to believe it was his destiny to spare the universe of a similar fate. In Endgame, Thanos remains devoted to his cause by destroying the stones so his work can't be undone. Even when the past version of Thanos learns of his fate, he's dedicated to the cause.

Doing Whatever It Takes To Avenge The Fallen

A recurring message in the Endgame marketing campaign has been that the Avengers were setting out to do "whatever it takes" to defeat Thanos and bring back everyone who was lost to the snap. It's only once they've lost that they truly understand what was at stake. Sure, they knew of Thanos' intentions, but they didn't think he'd actually wipe out half the universe and instantaneously disintegrate their loved ones right in front of them. Like Nick Fury says in The Avengers, "They needed the push." They're called the Avengers, but this is the first time they're actually avenging.

Atonement and reconciliation are more powerful motivators. The bitter sting of defeat has strengthened their resolve, and this time the Avengers know they must be willing to put everything on the line to possibly emerge victoriously. This time around, the team takes risks whenever, wherever, and however they can. The group collectively risk their lives by embarking on the time-travel venture and later standing against Thanos' armies to defend the gauntlet and restored order. Then, the core six team members individually jeopardize their desires for a chance at repairing the universe.

Tony sacrifices a peaceful existence with his newfound family to ensure their survival and Thanos' defeat. On top of that, he sets aside his resentment towards Steve and returns the shield because he recognizes trust and teamwork will be required to possibly pull this off. Steve leaves behind an opportunity to reunite with the love of his life so he and Tony can return to the present with the Tesseract and he can see the mission through to the end.

Thor also abandons an opportunity to dwell in the past before the destruction of his family, friends, and Asgard. Everything Thor's lost is in front of him, but he leaves because he's needed in the future. Meanwhile, Bruce Banner risks everything by wearing the Infinity Gauntlet and snapping his fingers to bring everyone back. Fortunately, the deed did nothing more than severely char his arm, but Banner was unsure whether Hulk would survive nonetheless.

Lastly, Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton are both willing to sacrifice their lives on Vormir so the other may live to collect the Soul Stone and hopefully correct things. Considering they're assassins, they each have several sins to atone for. Barton knows that he went off the rails during his time as Ronin and is unsure he can face his family. Meanwhile, Romanoff wants Barton to have that opportunity. After all, we're told in The Avengers he made the call not to eliminate her as ordered and instead recommended she be recruited by S.H.I.E.L.D. She's finally returning the favor.

I've seen complaints that Black Widow "deserved better." Well, none of these heroes "deserve" to die. However, that doesn't render their sacrifices meaningless. If anything, Natasha's sacrifice is just as meaningful and earned as Tony's. Both are irreversible, imperative to eventually defeating Thanos, and cap off their arcs beautifully. Throughout these films, Romanoff found a sense of belonging and purpose with the Avengers. Despite all she's done, she was welcomed and accepted by the Avengers. Her entire arc is based on atoning for her past. Wiping out the red in her ledger. Now that she has the chance to contribute, why should she step aside and let her friend kill himself? Why should her choice to lay down her life mean less on account of the character's gender? It shouldn't... Black Widow's death is earned because she's given everything she can to this cause and this is the ultimate atonement. To quote Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger concerning his repeated attempts to enlist in World War II, "There are men laying down their lives. I got no right to do any less than them." Why should that statement not apply to Black Widow?

Conclusion

Revisiting my earlier observation, the lessons learned in Infinity War are imperative to the outcome in Endgame. Naturally, that should be the case for a two-part story, but these films pair nicely in spite of differing approaches. Where Infinity War focused on plot and spectacle, Endgame is more of a character-driven finale. Infinity War seems out-of-this-world while Endgame remains grounded amidst characters traveling through time and space. The through-line of sacrifice ties them together very well, and everything lost in Infinity War casts a shadow of dread over Endgame which brings the heroes down-to-Earth more so than any previous entry. Hope, unity, and sacrifice lead them to victory. The Avengers win in the end because they persisted in the face of ultimate adversity, fought together, and were willing to lay down their lives when the time was right. They were willing to do whatever it takes.

'Avengers: Endgame' Review

Sincerest apologies for the delay on this review, as I understand it's probably one many of you were looking forward to reading, but there were some final school assignments and other miscellaneous obligations which required my attention. However, waiting this long has allowed me a chance to see the film a second time and given my thoughts time to marinate. Even though I'm sure many of you reading this have already seen the film, I will refrain from discussing spoilers or anything not shown in the marketing material for the sake of those who haven't watched it yet. To compensate for what will surely be a vague review, I'm going to write a spoiler-filled article later this weekend on why I believe Endgame is an excellent companion piece to Infinity War. Without further ado, let's get this show on the road!

'Avengers: Endgame' Review

Nominated For: Best Visual Effects.

Synopsis: After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more to figure out a way to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe.

Runtime: 181 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language)


Who should see it? Marvel fans of all ages.

As the fourth Marvel film directed by Joe and Anthony Russo (known to many as the Russo Brothers) and featuring a screenplay from Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, Avengers: Endgame is an unprecedented achievement. Like Infinity War, Endgame is also the cinematic culmination of several years of storytelling. Only this time, it's a closing chapter for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and some of its more prominent characters. Though the MCU will likely continue for years to come (with Spider-Man: Far From Home only two months away), Endgame is a satisfying conclusion for the journey Marvel has taken audiences for the last eleven years and twenty-two films. 

Where Infinity War focused on plot and spectacle, Endgame is more of a character-driven finale that seeks to resolve as many lingering plot threads and character arcs as it possibly can. For the first time, our heroes failed (semantics aside). Thanos won, and half of the universe was turned to dust. These characters were then helpless to watch as their loved ones disintegrate in front of their very eyes and, as you'll see in Endgame, they each handle that remorse in different ways. As a result, these characters are the most vulnerable, human, and down-to-earth audiences have seen since their respective origins. But one thing's for sure. If they can't protect half of the universe, you can be damn sure they'll do whatever it takes to avenge it. Believe it or not, but this is the first Avengers installment that involves any genuine attempt at "avenging." Before, they tried to prevent disaster. This time, it's already struck. 

So you're probably wondering what their next course of action is going to be, as the marketing left the details of their mission purposefully unclear. In the year following that heart-stopping cliff-hanger, fans have speculated relentlessly about how the Avengers would bring everyone back. I won't disclose the answer because I think it's one best discovered for oneself, but don't allow your own expectations to interfere with your enjoyment of the direction Markus, McFeely, and the Russo Brothers choose to take these characters. Let the filmmakers guide you on the journey they deem best for the story before you compare it to what you'd hoped to see. I say this because I'm noticing more and more fanbases become narrow-minded about storytelling having to meet their individual needs and desires. 

So, as I'm sure many of you have figured out by now, I quite literally can't discuss the plot of the film without spoiling something. The marketing for this film has been so secretive that it mostly features footage from the first twenty minutes of the movie, with everything other shot carefully selected to not reveal much of anything about the story. With that in mind, there are many twists and turns that I didn't really expect. As I mentioned, go along for the ride for your first watch. If there's a choice that didn't work for you, that's totally okay. There were a few things I wasn't 100% on board with as well. Those being where they chose to take Thor's character and some nitpicky spoiler-related complaints I've since retracted due to thorough and insightful answers from the Russos in a recent Q&A. 

To address the aspect of Thor's character which I didn't like, I can't elaborate on what annoyed me without spoiling the movie. Don't worry! I'm not going to do that, but this paragraph will probably seem vague to those who haven't watched Endgame yet. Those who have seen it probably know precisely what I'm talking about... I'll say that I appreciated the intent behind Thor's character arc, but I felt there was a change incorporated mostly for shock value and comedy that quickly grew old. I liked the idea, but wasn't keen on the execution and think it could have been handled more tastefully. Considering that's one of my few nitpicks about a movie of this scale goes to show just how impressed I was overall.

I haven't really mentioned action yet, and that's because it comes in small doses till the INSANE third act confrontation. This battle is absolutely sensational and delivers many of the best moments of grand spectacle throughout the entire MCU. Some of these may be shrugged aside as pure fan service, but I don't care... This movie is a conclusion to a twenty-two movie story. Of course, there was going to be fan service and rightfully so! None of it obnoxiously caters to fans, and it serves the narrative quite well. Now, the MCU has gotten plenty of flack from film fans for some flat color grading, unmemorable music, and focus on furthering the overall narrative. I disagree with some of those points but acknowledge there's always been room for improvement. Endgame corrected that for me.

Concerning the film's technical prowess, Avengers: Endgame is the Russos' most confident film. Their consistent cinematographer Trent Opaloch has delivered imagery that will stand the test of time as some of the most iconic shots ever to grace the MCU. Since they've had over a year to polish the visual effects, I didn't notice particular instances of lackluster digital effects on either of my viewings and the CGI is truly remarkable from start-to-finish! Then, I've gotta acknowledge Alan Silvestri who's composed a sweeping score full of leitmotifs referencing prior MCU installments and epic new arrangements. The best moments in this movie would be meaningless without his score, and "Portals" is legitimately one of the coolest pieces of music I've ever heard (especially in a Marvel movie). Go to Spotify and listen once you've watched Endgame. You won't regret it since it accompanies one of the coolest scenes in the entire film. 

If I were to address every actor present in Endgame, this review would be ridiculously long. Even though Thanos did me a favor by whittling down the cast, there's still a large, leftover ensemble. I'm going to devote a few sentences to Thanos and each of the original six Avengers, but would be remiss not to mention Don Cheadle, Paul Rudd, Bradley Cooper, Brie Larson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Danai Gurira who once again portray their respective roles to the fullest whenever onscreen! Simply because I feel he's gone overlooked in the Endgame discourse, I'd like to highlight Paul Rudd for showcasing some stellar dramatic chops. He, of course, was cast as Ant-Man because of his comedic sensibilities, but it was refreshing to see another side of the actor beyond being a quip-machine.

Of the six, it only makes sense to begin with the one who started it all... Iron Man revitalized Robert Downey Jr. in the pop-culture consciousness, and the actor's embodied Tony Stark across nine movies now, so it's no surprise that Downey once again knocks it out of the park. Downey digs deep into the story's core and goes all in concerning the character's comedic and dramatic beats. I'm not exaggerating when I say this may just be a career-best performance. 

Second up is my favorite Avenger, the star-spangled man with a plan. I felt Steve Rogers was handled PERFECTLY in this film, and cannot overstate how satisfied I was with his arc. In Endgame, Chris Evans exhibits a ruthlessness previously unseen from the character as he's willing to do whatever it takes to make things right. Captain America is sometimes ridiculed for being a patriotic pantheon, but Evans skillfully encapsulates Roger's virtue and conviction to the point I'm unsure any actor would be able to match Evans should Marvel choose to later reboot or recast. 

I've spoken my piece on Thor's character in this entry, but I still must commend Chris Hemsworth for committing to the bold new direction the Russos have taken the character in spite of my issues. Hemsworth really sells his moments of emotional vulnerability considering Thor's not in the best headspace after everything he's endured. 

Next up is Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner. I'll just say the Russos swung for the fences with a new take on Hulk that you'll either enjoy or detest. I personally liked it, though I'm not particularly invested in the Hulk as a character. It's campy for sure, and I don't think I can describe it beyond that without spoiling things. 

Rounding out the team are Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner, who each depict perhaps the most undervalued Avengers, Black Widow and Hawkeye. You'd expect that their characters would feel irrelevant when the heroes are facing insurmountable odds in the form of Thanos and his intergalactic armies, but the filmmakers find an essential narrative purpose for the two of them. Thanks to prior MCU entries, Johansson and Renner already have a great rapport with one another, and that established dynamic comes into play in a meaningful way. 

Last but not least, there's the big bad himself. Thanos is portrayed via motion capture by Josh Brolin and, though the film isn't centered around him like Infinity War, Brolin leaves just as large of an impression and cements himself as one of the best MCU villains. Just keep in mind that Thanos has a reduced role compared to Infinity War. 

Of the 14,000,605 versions of Endgame Doctor Strange saw in Infinity War, I believe this was the best possible outcome. It brings the original Avengers' arcs to an emotional ending which I was abundantly satisfied and heartbroken to see. Though this sentiment won't mean much till you've watched it, I love Avengers: Endgame 3,000. 

Film Assessment: A+ A-

'Avengers: Infinity War' Review

Sorry that I wasn't able to share this review as soon as I would have liked, but I had finals to worry about and that took precedence over writing this review. However, that did enable me to see the film a second time after my last final and the poll I put out on Twitter indicated my followers would rather wait to read my thoughts after two viewings rather than my initial take on it. This review will in-fact be spoiler-free so I'm taking great care not to discuss plot points in detail and remain as vague as I possibly can while providing my opinion. Now with all that out of the way, let's get going.

'Avengers: Infinity War' Review

Nominated For: Best Visual Effects. 

Avengers: Infinity War follows the Mad Titan Thanos as he and his henchman, the Black Order, seek out the six Infinity Stones in order to fully assemble the Infinity Gauntlet. Once the gauntlet is complete, it can grant the wielder control over all space, time, reality, mind, soul, and power, giving Thanos the means to bring balance to the universe as he sees fit. With the universe at stake, the Avengers must reunite and ally themselves with the likes of Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Black Panther, and the Guardians of the Galaxy if they're to have any chance at stopping Thanos.

At long last, the decade long Marvel journey has brought us to this moment... Avengers: Infinity War is an unprecedented cinematic event that has truly been ten years in the making thanks to an interconnected series of of eighteen films preceding it. The history of what's come before only enabled directors Anthony and Joe Russo and screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely to hit the ground running at a breakneck pace because all the pieces were already in place for this cinematic culmination. While longtime Marvel fans who've diligently kept up with the films in the franchise won't take issue with this, I imagine someone who's only seen a few Marvel movies or none at all would be fairly lost. This isn't to say you "have" to go marathon them all beforehand, but the dramatic weight of it all desperately depends on a familiarity with the universe so seeing the others first will only enhance your experience. Otherwise, you may be a bit confused as to why everyone else is crying and cheering around you.

On that note, it's almost impossible to go into Infinity War without a certain set of expectations because it's meant to be the pay-off for watching ten years worth of Marvel movies. After The Avengers, the door was blown wide open for these characters to come together so, naturally, fans have been antsy to see certain characters interact as Marvel expanded its universe. Being a fan myself, I was incredibly excited for Infinity War. However, accompanying my immense expectations were a few concerns. First of which was wondering how in the world were the Russos, Markus, and McFeely going to balance an ensemble of over twenty heroes while adapting such beloved source material?

 

Well, I don't know how they did it, but they pulled it off... Not every character has a complete character arc per-say, but they all get their moment in the spotlight and that was more than enough for me. Infinity War also gets a lot of mileage out of bringing many of these characters together for the first time as it's remarkably entertaining. This film's nearly three hours long, but I've found myself invested from start-to-finish both times I've seen it because it's such an emotionally-charged experience. When leaving the theater, you may not quite know how you're supposed to feel because there will be so many complex emotions for you to unpack thanks to an insane ending.

Visually, the film's chocked full of stunning spectacle with illustrious cinematography, outstanding visual effects, and action that's both epic and engaging. And I'd be remiss not to mention the costuming, production design, or editing, which are also quite impressive. To make matters even better, Alan Silvestri returned to score the flick with a compilation of sweeping, grandiose compositions that further bestow gravitas to the proceeding events. 

Which leads to my other concern... Marvel doesn't have the greatest track record with its villains, so while recent Phase 3 installments have turned that around, I was still anxious that Thanos may not live up to his comic-book depiction or the hype built up around him, and I couldn't have possibly been more wrong... At the end of the day, Josh Brolin steals the show as Thanos and proves to be one of the best comic book antagonists put to screen yet. Thanos isn't really "relatable," but his twisted methodology is understandable while his conviction is respectable. Thanos is a being who's willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish his goal and that makes him quite intimidating as he leaves a terrible trail of death and destruction in his wake. Nevertheless, Brolin brought a layer of humanity to the Mad Titan that caught me totally off-guard and made me somewhat sympathetic to his cause. Additionally, Thanos is one of the best examples of motion-capture done right in a mainstream blockbuster. Brolin's performance shines through the visual effects wizardry in such a way that the intergalactic tyrant feels grounded and real as opposed to over-the-top and cartoonish.

Filling out his Black Order are Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Terry Notary, Carrie Coon, and Michael James Shaw as Ebony Maw, Cull Obsidian, Proxima Midnight, and Corvus Glaive respectively. Each proves to be a worthy adversary for the Avengers, but they're ultimately lackeys for Thanos. Ebony Maw definitely stood apart from the others though.

In regards to the immense ensemble, almost every living Marvel character makes their way into the cast of characters, so I could go on all day if I were to list every character since they're each perfectly cast to begin with. Instead, I'm going to simply spotlight the standout heroes in no particular order. First up, there's the grouping of Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, and Tom Holland as Tony Stark, Stephen Strange, and Peter Parker (or Iron Man, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man if you want to use their "made-up names"). These three made for a fascinating trio who exhibit some extraordinary acting chops with a great group dynamic amongst themselves. 

It should then come as no surprise that I'd bring up Chris Evans' performance considering Captain America is my favorite Marvel character, but Evans does a swell job returning to the role once more as he brings a new spin on the character to show how he's changed as a result of the events in Captain America: Civil War.

Others I feel obligated to mention are Paul Bettany and Elizabeth Olsen in the roles of Vision and Scarlet Witch. It may seem odd, but the romantic relationship that's been developed between them really takes off as one of many emotional tethering points spread throughout the film thanks to a believable chemistry between Olsen and Bettany. 

Perhaps the most surprising standout for me though was Chris Hemsworth's Thor. Till Thor: Ragnarok, I never really cared much for Thor as a character and found him to be one of the least interesting Avengers. However, I'm really liking the recent progression of his character and the Russos, Markus, and McFeely did a marvelous job furthering his arc after all that happened to him in Ragnarok. Hemsworth seriously steals the show with some of the best moments of action and humor while his rapport with Rocket and Groot was delightful to say the least. 

Lastly, Gamora plays a pivotal role as a daughter of Thanos, and Zoe Saldana really steps up to the plate. Gamora proves to be one of the significant emotional lynch-pins of the film due to her relationship with Thanos. The dynamic between Saldana and Brolin really sells that complicated connection in ways one wouldn't really expect. 

In summation, Avengers: Infinity War doesn't simply throw down the Infinity Gauntlet for contention as Marvel's best film yet. It does so much more. The Russo brothers slam the gauntlet down and assert the film's irrefutable dominance over all that's come before it. I never thought I'd say this, but the preceding Marvel films look cute in comparison. 

Film Assessment: A+ A-

Recollection Reflection Review: 'Avengers: Age of Ultron'

Sorry for the delay, but I had computer troubles that prevented me from completing this review any earlier. Anyways, Avengers: Infinity War is only a few days away, so it only seems right that I'd take a look back at Age of Ultron.

For those confused, this review format enables me to essentially re-review a film and share my updated thoughts. I try to write them sparingly so you may have never read one before, but I have quite a few of them planned in the coming months. Anyways, the idea is that I share my Recollection (initial review), my Reflection (more on what my opinion used to be and how it's changed), and then my Review (a standard review for the film). I enjoy writing these types of reviews because I think they demonstrate how much I've grown as a writer and it's always fun to revisit films that I may have changed my tune on. Lastly, just be aware I may casually discuss spoiler-related topics from time-to-time since the film's almost been out for three years at this point. With the spoiler warning out of the way, let's dig in!

'Avengers: Age of Ultron' Review

Recollection- Avengers: Age Of Ultron Review

Reflection- Avengers: Age of Ultron is a curious MCU entry for me. At the time of its release, I was absolutely engrossed with it and even declared it to be my favorite Marvel film. However, I find myself torn between loving it and passively enjoying it with each rewatch. There aren't many things that I legitimately "hate" about Age of Ultron, but I like it a little less each time I sit down to watch it. I think there are a lot of reasons behind this, but I'll dive into those in a second. At the time of release, I could hardly contain my excitement for this film as the trailers has already won me over and I simply couldn't wait for the sequel to one of my favorite superhero movies. It felt like a cinematic blockbuster event just like the first. However, the film failed to outgross the original and didn't receive as splendid of a critical reception. It even managed to divide many MCU fans. Not nearly to the degree that Star Wars: The Last Jedi did, but it was divisive nonetheless. It was actually a very similar reaction to the one Iron Man 3 received two years prior and I find it funny that I had the opposite experience with that film, as I appreciate it more and more with each viewing.

Review- At the onset of Avengers: Age of Ultron, the Avengers are a fully-functioning team mopping up the remnants of Hydra. After an assault on Hydra's elusive base of operations bodes well, the team retrieve Loki's scepter. Upon analysis, Tony Stark and Bruce Banner discover the scepter's gem could be the key to creating an artificial intelligence capable of operating a global peacekeeping initiative. The two scientists work to reconfigure the matrix, but their experiment soon goes awry when the Ultron A.I. becomes self-aware and plots to destroy the planet. Earth's Mightiest Heroes are then tasked with reassembling in hopes of preventing the maniacal Ultron from enacting his evil scheme.

After knocking the ball out of the park with The Avengers, Joss Whedon returned to write and direct Avengers: Age of Ultron with the end goal of making a worthy superhero sequel. However, as I alluded to earlier, the sequel wasn't as warmly received as its predecessor. While it was by no means a failure (earning over a billion dollars in box office receipts and debuting to favorable reviews), it didn't quite reach the heights of the first film. Whedon himself has spoken out on numerous occasions to say that the project was a stressful undertaking and cite creative differences as a source of the film's lukewarm reception. Upon further analysis, I believe the film was overcrowded, plain-and-simple.

It's actually not that difficult to tell what plot-points were studio-mandated and which ideas stemmed from Whedon when you examine Age of Ultron in relation to the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's crystal clear that Whedon was asked to lay groundwork for Captain America: Civil War, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther, and, of course, Avengers: Infinity War. Some of this set-up comes naturally within Whedon's narrative, but occasionally these plot elements feel like side-quests. Thor takes a bath to showcase Chris Hemsworth's abs and provide Thor with the necessary knowledge to educate his fellow Avengers about the Infinity Stones. Meanwhile, Whedon appeared to be much more interested with fleshing out these heroes and their team dynamic. In short, the burden of paving the way for future MCU entries proved detrimental to the film as a whole due to the sequel's imbalance of plot points. 

Putting that aside, there's an immense ensemble Whedon had to work with, and introducing four important new characters didn't do the man any favors. It's a daunting task to balance all those characters in a way that everyone can contribute to the story at hand, so the results were mixed to say the least. While characters like Hawkeye and Hulk finally get their due after noticeable absences from Marvel's preceding Phase 2 films, Captain America and Thor essentially become background players in comparison. This isn't to say they don't have a role in the Avengers' second outing, but neither character has a substantial arc in the context of this film itself. The outcomes contribute more to their overarching development than their growth throughout this film. Whedon just had a lot on his plate, and sadly, it shows.

While some elements in Age of Ultron may be a bit problematic, there's certainly grace in Whedon's failures. I find it hard to fault the guy for what happened because it's challenging to capture lightning in a bottle a second time, even if you happen to have the God of Thunder at your disposal. Regardless, there are many things I greatly appreciate every time I watch Age of Ultron. The team dynamic continues to delight, the action sequences are entertaining, and there are plenty of fascinating concepts which Whedon toys around with. It's just a shame not all met their full potential. 

Age of Ultron is a prime example of a Hollywood product plagued with "sequelitis." There was clearly an effort to make the sequel bigger and better than the first wherever possible. While that idea in-of-itself isn't harmful, great ambition doesn't always pan out when all is said-and-done. What audiences are then left with is a blockbuster that prioritized spectacle over story. Again, this isn't necessarily a "bad" thing... However, it has only made it easier for me to look beneath the visual noise and notice underlying issues with each successive viewing. Maybe Age of Ultron was initially my favorite MCU film because of the "newness" of it. Perhaps, it was because my anticipation shot through the roof. Whatever the case may be, I've reevaluated it all and none of it really holds up quite as well as The Avengers has.

The action delivers in regards to entertainment value, but is almost instantly forgettable. There aren't many stand-out moments because it feels like every moment of action is meant to be a stand-out moment. Instead, it's digested as empty spectacle because it doesn't feel as rewarding to see these characters fight together when the whole film's been littered with that. The visual effects are also inconsistent as a vast majority of the action beats were clearly computer-generated. If you disagree, I understand where they're coming from because I once thought as you did. I'm not trying to convince you that you're wrong. I'm just elaborating as to why Age of Ultron hasn't held up for me as much as I'd have liked it to. Anyways, at this point you're probably sick of reading my gripes, so let's dive into my positives.

Across the board, the ensemble brought their A-game. There's not a weak link to be found in terms of performances as Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeremy Renner each offer ideal embodiments of their characters and spout Whedon's quippy one-liners to great effect. Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Don Cheadle, and Anthony Mackie also appear in varying capacities to the delight of many Marvel fans.

Meanwhile, MCU newcomers Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen proved to be great additions as the super-powered twins Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch respectively. Unfortunately, Taylor-Johnson's time is short lived due to Quicksilver's sacrifice, but it serves as a meaningful contribution to the story and his sister's arc.

Then, Paul Bettany finally physically manifests as the Vision after having served as the voice of J.A.R.V.I.S. for five films. The android falls somewhere in-between the extremes of a well-intentioned robot and an enigmatic risk for the team, but Bettany plays the part well and bestows a great deal of depth in a short amount of time.

Last, but certainly not least is James Spader in the role of the rampant robot Ultron. Spader's voice and motion-capture performances lend themselves well to the psychotic, yet somewhat sarcastic bot and I find Ultron's sadistic sense of humor to be a highlight of his personality becasue it stems from his creator. My main issue with Ultron isn't so much with his depiction as it is his rushed development. After a minute long montage, Ultron's created and he upgrades himself so often that the upgrades don't really feel like subtle progressions of his pre-existing design. Each upgrade is a drastic change from the last so the evolution of his aesthetic doesn't quite feel natural. 

All in all, Avengers: Age of Ultron is an entertaining, albeit overstuffed superhero affair that also serves as a sufficient sequel to a landmark crossover. However, it has failed to stand out as a unique entry in the ever-expanding genre of comic-book movies so its reputation wears thinner with successive viewings as a result. 

Film Assessment: B-