Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) — All The Eye-Popping Spectacle You Want, No Strings Attached

But of course this is a Marvel Studios film, and ALL strings are attached, but does Avengers: Age of Ultron surpass the original? Luke Miksa reviews:

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Avengers: Age of Ultron is a movie that genuinely needs no introduction. If you are not familiar with billionaire philanthropist Tony Stark (aka Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr.), Asgardian prince Thor (Chris Hemsworth), or time-displaced World War II super-soldier Steve Rogers (aka Captain America, Chris Evans), then perhaps you have been in suspended animation the last eight years. Avengers: Age of Ultron is the sequel to the 2012 superhero team-up film The Avengers and the 11th film in the interconnected Marvel Cinematic Universe. This time, the Avengers must again team up to fight a power of their own creation, the sentient artificial intelligence known as Ultron (James Spader), a being with the intent of cleansing the world of humanity.

The boys are back (plus a girl or two, I guess).

The boys are back (plus a girl or two, I guess).

The movie opens right in the thick of The Avengers raiding the Hydra base of Baron von Strucker to regain the sceptre seen in previous films. Director/screenwriter Joss Whedon doesn’t bother with building up the opening — we have seen this before — so jumping straight into the action from the get-go is the perfect way to establish what this movie is all about: all action, all the time. This opening scene in particular features a wonderful long tracking shot following all the characters battling the Hydra army, with many insta-iconic imagery coming from just this single scene; welcome back, everyone!

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This Week in Trailers: Kick-Ass 2, The Hangover Part III, Star Trek Into Darkness, After Earth, More

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The Hangover Part III – Teaser Trailer

The Hangover Part II was an unashamed cash-grab, built solely to take advantage of the runaway success that was the first instalment from 2009. And unashamed it was, retreading moments from the original nearly beat-for-beat; character moments, musical cues, and general plotting were simply re-placed from Vegas to Bangkok. It is lazy — yet successful and lucrative — filmmaking at it’s worst.

The Hangover Part III looks to continue this tradition: moments from this teaser look strikingly familiar, they even got band Wolfmother back for a third run. One can only hope with a return to Vegas they can recapture the charm of the first film, and avoid the unwanted and seedy meanness which made watching Part II such a dirty experience.

It’s also a shame that due to continuing tradition, the talented Justin Bartha is once again stuck on the sidelines, leaving the antics solely up to Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and the manic Chang Chow (Ken Jeong). Jeffrey Tambor, Heather Graham, Jamie Chung and Mike Epps return, as does director Todd Phillips.

Prepare yourself for a severe case of déjà vu when The Hangover Part III opens wide nationally on May 23 and it will — along with Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness — set the pace for the rest of blockbuster season.

via Warner Bros.

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Kick-Ass 2 – Red Band Trailer

The sequel to the modestly successful 2010 superhero film comes with a different director (Jeff Wadlow replacing Matthew Vaughn, who is sticking to producer duties) and a much smaller budget, as is clear by looking at the first teaser. Things look much brighter than before, and I would assume the violence and language will be toned down — if even slightly — to try and recoup its humble investments: something that its bigger budgeted predecessor struggled with.

Although the VFX and set design look schlocky at best, most of the original headline cast is returning (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christoper Mintz-Plasse), and joining them are some terrific actors that don’t have three-part names: Donald Faison, John Leguizamo, Morris Chestnut, and a nearly unrecognisable Jim Carrey. Carrey’s role as Colonel Stars and Stripes will be a big factor in getting people to see this, as he looks and sounds fantastic and is nearly unrecognisable.

Kick-Ass 2 does not yet have an official Australian release date, but I would expect to see it at the tail-end of blockbuster season, depending on how it fares on its US release.

via MTV
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