5 Marvel movies that definitely should have been better
By Bryce Olin
Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Release Date: May 1, 2015
- Directed by Joss Whedon
- Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Don Cheadle, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, Cobie Smulders, Anthony Mackie, Hayley Atwell, Idris Elba, Linda Cardellini, Stellan Skarsgård, James Spader, and Samuel L. Jackson
Avengers: Age of Ultron is a massively important movie in the greater landscape of the MCU. Perhaps, it's even too important and a little bloated. The things that happen in this movie set the stage for Captain America: Civil War and the rest of the movies leading up to Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. I don't think anyone is arguing this film is not important. It's just simply not that good. Sure, it has its moments, and overall, a lot is working for Age of Ultron.
In the film, the AI that Tony Stark created, Ultron, becomes sentient and tries to wipe out humanity. The Avengers must join forces to stop Ultron from destroying the Earth. There are so many characters in this movie. It's definitely an ambitious undertaking, but it just didn't work that well.
My biggest qualm with Age of Ultron is simply Ultron. James Spader is an incredible actor, but I don't think Robert California was the best choice to play one of the most potentially menacing villains in the MCU to date. It just flopped, though. Compared to basically every other big MCU villain, Ultron is — in the words of my least favorite Mayor from Paw Patrol — boring.
Ultron's voice just takes me out of the story every time the character speaks. That's a me problem, but I think others would agree that Ultron left a lot to be desired. It's basically the opposite of Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. I needed more Gorr and less Ultron.
Age of Ultron is definitely the worst of the Avengers movies.