Avengers Assemble In Age of Ultron {Review}

The calendar may indicate that summer has yet to arrive but today marks the first day of the summer box office season with the hotly anticipated second installment of the Avengers. Is it better than the first film released three years ago? How does it rank among the other Marvel films that focus on the individual superheroes that comprise The Avengers? Is it suitable for the entire family? Will you possibly be able to keep track of all of the supporting characters? Let’s find out!

Avengers: Age of Ultron pits the now familiar band of superheroes against a menacing, advanced form of artificial intelligence named Ultron, a byproduct of Tony Stark’s brilliant – but dangerous – mind. Though Tony Stark/Ironman had what we assume to be truly altruistic intentions of protecting mankind from the next extraterrestrial threat, Ultron instead becomes a destructive force of epic proportions. So yes you guessed it, the world will come to an end if our superheroes don’t band together to save the day.

Bringing the Avengers to the big screen has always presented a challenge. Marvel Studios has never shied away from that challenge and even embraced it with what they title the Marvel Cinematic Universe, an interconnected super franchise that converges with each Avengers installment. Captain America, Ironman, and Thor all have their own series of movies explaining their individual backstories and motives. Marvel has even ventured into television with ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. which already influenced Captain America: The Winter Soldier and also has a tie-in with Age of Ultron. There’s repeated, albeit cursory, mentions of supporting characters from Ironman and Thor. We see a number of cameos from other supporting characters from the aforementioned Thor and Captain America series. Age of Ultron even introduces a couple of characters to an already crowded ensemble cast.

It’s an embarrassment of riches that will perhaps greatly please devoted fans of this franchise, but may leave more casual fans dizzy trying to keep track. Even with the 141 minute running time, the film isn’t able to devote enough time to all of these ancillary characters to ensure they provide meaningful impact to the plot. Instead they represent a sort of checklist of cameos to ensure that every single element of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is represented in Age of Ultron.

Age of Ultron does dedicate plenty of screen time to action sequences featuring all of the Avengers. You will also find a number of funny, sarcastic one-liners delivered very well, particularly from Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Robert Downey, Jr. (Ironman). Also we would be remiss if we didn’t applaud Marvel Studios for shunning the stereotypical damsel in distress by giving us two strong female characters that can more than hold their own among the men. By the way, can we please get a film devoted to Black Widow?

The film carries a PG-13 rating and does have the occasional curse word, but nothing more that should deter you from bringing kids younger than 13 with you to see this movie. Of course, make your own assessment, since we know all kids are different and react to intense scenes differently. Your younger kids will definitely enjoy these coloring sheets and maze with their favorite Avengers superheroes!

Free Avengers Printable Coloring Sheets

Bring the Avengers: Age of Ultron fun home! Download and print these free Avengers printable coloring sheets for kids, sure to help your younger children connect with the movie.

Avengers: Age of Ultron doesn’t quite match its predecessor from three years ago or come close to Captain America: The Winter Soldier which, in my opinion, still represents the very best the Marvel Cinematic Universe has had to offer. However, it still entertains with plenty of action featuring all of the main superheroes that will ensure we kick off the summer blockbuster season with a bang.

Disclosure: We were provided a complimentary advance screening of the film to facilitate this post. All thoughts and opinions are our own.