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2012’s “The Avengers” continues to be one of my all-time favorite films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a testament to its groundbreaking impact and enduring appeal. Shattering records for the largest opening weekend earnings at its release, “The Avengers” swept the globe like an unstoppable force. It not only validated Marvel’s innovative shared cinematic universe concept but also set the stage for the franchise to become the game-changer that studios are still emulating today. The success of “The Avengers” raised the bar high, creating immense anticipation for its sequel, “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” However, while the critical reception for “Age of Ultron” was more divisive compared to its predecessors, it pales in comparison to the awe-inspiring reactions to “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Consequently, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” appears as the standout outlier in the franchise’s otherwise stellar lineup.

10 years have passed since the release of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” a fact that’s hard to believe. Despite not reaching the box office success of its predecessor, “The Avengers” with $1.5 billion, it grossed an impressive $459 million domestically and $1.4 billion worldwide, which is nothing to ignore. However, the film’s reception has sometimes been less than enthusiastic. Over time, though, like a fine wine, “Avengers: Age of Ulton” has matured.

While it may not be as polished as its predecessor, it shares similarities with films like “The Empire Strikes Back” and the original “Star Wars.” It is a darker, more complex sequel that pushes its characters and the franchise in a broader, more ambitious direction. For this reason, some consider “Avengers: Age of Ultron” to be underrated and one of the best films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

An Avengers Movie That Feels Like an Avengers Comic

As a fan, I found one of the enchantments of The Avengers was seeing the shared cinematic universe come alive, creating the sensation of the ultimate comic crossover. Avengers: Age of Ultron recognizes it can’t quite rekindle that original magic, so instead, it aims to replicate the experience of flipping through an Avengers comic. Although the story is a unique creation, it skillfully integrates aspects from the comics to construct a narrative that seeks to echo the feeling of reading an Avengers comic. From what feels like a typical Avengers comic mission, we embark on a globe-trotting adventure, encountering characters from Marvel Comics’ Silver Age. Among them are:

  • Ultron – First Appearance in The Avengers #55 (August 1968)
  • Scarlet Witch – First Appearance in The X-Men #4 (March 1964)
  • Quicksilver – First Appearance in The X-Men #4 (March 1964)
  • Vision – First Appearance in The Avengers #57 (August 1968)
  • Baron Strucker – First Appearance in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #5 (January 1964)
  • Ulysses Klaue – First Appearance in Fantastic Four #53 (Aug. 1966)

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, they skillfully incorporate numerous unique characters (as hinted in the post-credits scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier) and create an exciting narrative with a city-lifting climax involving an ominous robot. This movie effectively conveys the feeling of reading a comic book, without strictly adapting a pre-existing story or relying on established visuals.

The first Avengers movie can be seen as a combination of various stories, while Avengers: Infinity War resembles a grand comic book narrative unfolding, and Avengers: Endgame feels like the climactic conclusion. This might make Avengers: Age of Ultron seem simpler, but its straightforward approach is a welcome change, something that has been missing in recent MCU films. The tendency to turn Avengers movies into massive, universe-altering crossovers instead of just enjoyable team-up films may have negatively influenced the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. A couple of adventures with a new team of Avengers before Avengers: Doomsday could add more significance to that film.

Ultron Is a Fantastic Marvel Villain

Initially, some viewers found Ultron underwhelming upon its debut. A significant factor contributing to this was the high expectation set by Tom Hiddleston’s character Loki. The intriguing preview of “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” featuring a chilling cover of “I’ve Got No Strings” from Pinocchio, promised a formidable villain. However, the final version of Ultron in the movie appeared to be more neurotic and sarcastic than truly menacing as was suggested by the trailer.

The character Ultron from “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is quite remarkable. He’s visually striking, and James Spader’s voice lends him a captivating charm that’s both hypnotic and alluring. Unlike the typical cold, calculating AI villain, Ultron is a self-loathing machine that shares the sensibilities of its creator, which it despises. This contradictory nature makes him much more intriguing than the average evil AI. Despite his constant self-criticism, Ultron is driven by strong emotions such as anger, hatred, and ego, setting him apart from other portrayals of artificial intelligence in films. In essence, Ultron stands out as one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s underappreciated villains, and I can’t wait for his potential return in “Vision Quest”.

‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ Was Very Important for the Larger MCU

The influence that Avengers: Age of Ultron exerted on subsequent Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films is hard to overstate. To a greater extent than The Avengers, the aftermath of Avengers: Age of Ultron continues to shape the MCU in both narrative and character development aspects.

Most notably, the creation of Ultron has had significant consequences. Ultron’s destruction of Sokovia directly set off the events of Captain America: Civil War, which in turn gave rise to Black Panther, Black Widow, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and eventually Avengers: Infinity War.

As a fan following the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the introduction of Hawkeye’s family stands out as a crucial aspect in understanding his character’s drive, particularly in Avengers: Endgame and the upcoming Hawkeye series. Although hinted at in The Avengers, it was in Age of Ultron where Black Widow’s past was explored more deeply. Topics like the Red Room and their enforced sterilization were further developed in Black Widow. In Thunderbolts*, set a decade after Avengers: Age of Ultron, characters grappled with haunting memories from the past, much like those inflicted by the Scarlet Witch’s actions 10 years earlier.

The movie Avengers: Age of Ultron brought into play Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, and Vision, both characters who have grown in importance within the Marvel Cinematic Universe due to their roles in WandaVision. Besides nods to Quicksilver and Ultron, WandaVision delves into the tragic past of Wanda and Pietro Maximoff, whose parents were killed by a bombing, an event briefly mentioned in Age of Ultron. Furthermore, while Vibranium was hinted at in Captain America: The First Avenger, the first direct reference to Wakanda in the Marvel Cinematic Universe can be found in Avengers: Age of Ultron, paving the way for Black Panther’s debut in Civil War and maintaining a significant presence in the global stage of the MCU over the following 10 years.

Apart from Captain America, there’s also Thor and the Hulk who make an appearance. In “Thor: Ragnarok”, the story continues where it left off for Thor in his pursuit of the Infinity Stone mystery at the end of “Age of Ultron”. Interestingly, after departing in a Quinjet at the end of that movie, the Hulk found himself on an alien planet, becoming a gladiator. Both “Captain America: Civil War” and “Thor: Ragnarok” serve as direct follow-ups to “Avengers: Age of Ultron”, splitting the narrative of the main team until they all reunite in “Avengers: Infinity War”. Therefore, it’s safe to say that “Age of Ultron” plays a significant role in the franchise’s overarching storyline.

A Personal (and Messy) Blockbuster

Since the debut of “The Empire Strikes Back“, it’s common for the second installment in a series to take on a “darker” tone compared to its first part. This trend can be seen across various genres, including superhero films like “The Dark Knight“, “Spider-Man 2“, and “X2: X-Men United“. While “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is filled with witty dialogue, it stands as a darker entry compared to its predecessor. It adopts a grayer, less vibrant color scheme, which seems like a rebuttal to the criticisms directed at “The Avengers“, often accused of looking too much like a television show. However, “Age of Ultron” also delves deeper into its characters, making it more personal and character-focused.

The standout scene in Avengers: Age of Ultron and a notable achievement within the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the party sequence. This might well be the final carefree moment these characters experience in the MCU until at least the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame, during which two Avengers meet their demise. The chance to observe them socialize, flirt, and bond as friends adds a touch of reality to the larger action in this film and throughout the entire MCU. In just a short span, viewers learn more about these characters than in their individual films. While The Avengers included character interactions, it’s this party scene that fans hope subsequent Marvel movies will emulate, as it presents them not just as heroes, but as individuals.

In the middle of the movie, Wanda Maximoff reveals visions to different Avengers that delve into their personal pasts and anxieties. This hints at aspects these characters may not fully acknowledge themselves. For instance, Tony Stark’s determination to protect the world no matter what, Steve Rogers struggling with his role in the contemporary era, and Thor and the Hulk’s apprehension about their destructive abilities are all explored in depth in “Age of Ultron”, revealing a more complex and flawed side to these superheroes.

Frequently, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” was referred to as messy, even among its supporters. Despite being more intellectually stimulating than its predecessor, the tension between it standing alone and fitting into a broader cinematic universe is palpable. Director Joss Whedon reportedly had disagreements with Marvel Studios’ executives over the movie, which has gained new significance in recent years following accusations against him by actors from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and during the reshoots of “Justice League.” The film’s perceived messiness might not be a shortcoming, but rather its defining characteristic. The scene where Vision and Ultron converse quietly in the woods serves to emphasize this perspective.

People can be peculiar. They often view order and disorder as polar opposites, striving to control the uncontrollable. Yet, there’s a certain elegance in their imperfections.

Despite not being as polished as “The Avengers,” the film “Avengers: Age of Ultron” has emerged as one of the standout gems within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) over time. With the initial hype surrounding its release fading, the movie’s exceptional qualities have become more apparent. The distinctive visual style that sets it apart from most other MCU productions, along with a storyline that pays homage to classic Avengers comics while providing fresh, contemporary twists, and superb character development, make “Avengers: Age of Ultron” a testament to what makes the Avengers one of Marvel’s most beloved teams. Currently streaming on Disney+.

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2025-05-25 05:05