Five Biggest Surprises In Avengers: Age Of Ultron

4. The Vision casually lifts Mjolnir, Thor’s hammer

We’ve had a more in-depth discussion about Mjolnir and the enchantment on it that prevents it from being carried by just anyone already, but the gist of it is this: early in Age of Ultron, Thor gives everyone an opportunity to lift his hammer. Everyone fails. Then when Vision appears later in the film, he’s able to handle Mjolnir like it’s no big deal.

Obviously, that development makes the earlier party scene look like foreshadowing in hindsight instead of simply a lighthearted moment amid a film that is generally more serious that its predecessor. Still, it’s pretty amazing to see Mjolnir being tossed around by anyone but the God of Thunder, especially if you know anything about what an exclusive club it is in the comics when it comes to pulling off the same stunt.

Vision isn’t a member of the brotherhood of the hammer in print, but there is some precedent for sentient machines (robots with A.I., androids, etc.) moving or using Mjolnir since they aren’t truly living beings and are thus somehow outside of the influence of Mjolnir’s enchantment. It’s also possible that the hammer just feels that Vision is worthy, perhaps since he is so young that his “heart” is pure.

Whatever the reason, it definitely made you sit up and say, “Whoa!” when the android Avenger was able to succeed where the rest of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes were found wanting.

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