Avengers : Age of Ultron

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 24th April, 2015
Time : 142 minutes
Director & Writer : Joss Whedon, based on characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; Music : Danny Elfman
Starring : Robert Downey Jr, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, James Spader (voice), Paul Bettany (voice), Don Cheadle, Samuel L Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Cobie Smulders, Idris Elba, Hayley Atwell, Stellan Skarsgard, Claudia Kim, Thomas Kretschmann, Andy Serkis (whew, some cast, isn’t it….)

If you havent seen the first one, you could read my review here



Wasn’t it in Megamind where someone said, a superhero movie is only as good as the villain ? Leaving aside the irony of the fact that such a profound thought, about the balance between good and evil, comes from a children’s animated film – and the fact that its true vice versa – what villain do you think could seriously challenge our team of superheroes, make them sweat ? They were almost cocky in the opening sequence – cutting through a mini-army, destroying tanks, mashing missiles – with an arrogant ease…And that is why, you’ll like the villain the makers come up with…Ultron…who provides more than a fight for our Marvels…

In the beginning its about an organization called Hydra. Then its about Loki’s Sceptre. Then two fascinating twin mutants (Aaron & Elizabeth). Then Ultron. And then something else…At times you may even feel its all of the above…but even the ever-changing nature of the villain is a thrill, keeps us and our planet’s Guardians (sorry, that’s another Marvel series, no ?) on their toes.

They retain certain key elements from the first one (and why not, it worked, didn’t it ?) – the slight edge-laden banter between them; the differences in opinion, especially on the big stuff; the secretiveness, the cliques; how each of them has a role, no one really shortchanged (not an easy writing task, as anyone who’s written a multi-character story will tell you); and the Hulk continuing to be the joker in the pack…

There are jaw-dropping action sequences. Good music. An overall storyline that is interesting enough to keep you entertained despite the many obvious flaws (which superhero film is without them). But its the repartee that keeps you hooked – some excellent, crisp dialogue – the mini-battles between some of them : Ironman vs Captain America (“He’s the boss…I only pay for, design everything and make everyone look cooler”); The twin mutants vs Hawkeye (“You didn’t see that coming?” and jibes about his age); Black Widow and Hulk (singing lullabies…); Ultron’s philosophical musings about human frailty, dripping with sarcasm and the song he hums (“I’ve got no strings to hold me down”); And a really hilarious sequence about Thor’s hammer…which doesn’t exactly end as you would expect…

This isn’t the first film about artificial intelligence and doomsday scenarios…Terminator, i,Robot, even Transcendence… After a while, with most films around robots, it does get a bit mechanical (pun intended), watching them fight, get beaten – the mid section does flag a little – but overall, its still quite enjoyable, there is plenty of flair, panache to keep things interesting. Am going to be a bit generous and go with possibly a slightly higher rating – just because its not easy to pull off a sequel with so many superheroes, super villains and still manage to entertain !

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Thor : The Dark World

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 8th November, 2013
Time : 112 minutes
Director : Alan Taylor; Writers : Don Payne, Robert Rodat, based on the comic characters created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Larry Lieber ; Music : Brian Tyler
Starring : Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Stellan Skarsgard, Jonathan Howard

And that’s how you make a superhero film….

Lots of action, an interesting plot, very pacy, packed with sibling rivalry (with Loki really coming into his own) and laced with generous dollops of brilliant humour, this is a film that works for the young and old alike – with enough layers in the dialogue and the story to keep both segments entertained

There are some evil Dark Elves, led by Malekith (Eccleston), seeking to turn the entire universe into darkness, using a powerful substance known as Aether, when the nine planets are in alignment. They failed once, but now it’s the time of Convergence once more (happens every 5000 years), Natalie Portman finds the Aether and the only thing standing between the Dark Elves and her is Thor…with a little help from and unlikely source.

It’s the sheer charisma of the leads – Hemsworth and Hiddleston in particular – that sets the film alight…the showcasing of the sibling rivalry is really well depicted, the cut and thrust of their jibes and the potential of betrayal spicing things up…Natalie doesn’t have much of a role, but that is more than made up by great cameos by several fine character actors including Rene Russo (Thor’s mother), Kat (asst to Natalie), Jonathan (her intern), Jaimie, Zachary and Ray (Thor’s gang) and even Skarsgard playing the nutty professor well. There is even a conversation to treasure - one where Anthony Hopkins bemoans his legacy as a father - which has added poignancy due to the moment it occurs and what happens after...

The action and special effects are great to watch but what keeps you riveted is the humour…some of it coming in the conversations (and a short walk) between Hemsworth, Hiddlestone. Other priceless moments coming via the whimsical Kat Dennings or while Thor moves around in London (hanging his hammer on a coat hook, catching the Tube) or when his gang warns Loki of the consequences of betrayal…

There are some fantastical co-incidences…the Aether could’ve been anywhere in the nine realms but is found by Natalie Portman, similarly a certain gateway opened up during the convergence turns out to be a very convenient location too. But you’re having so much fun watching some very good looking people battle it out and match wits, that these pale into the background. I know its unfair to compare Krrish3 and Thor 2 – the budgets are a tenth, for example, but surely in terms of plot and character development, we could do better ? The end-credits were beautifully done as well and they’re worth the wait as a little teaser at the end makes you wish even more that the Third of the series released quickly !

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