Rating: 4.5/5
Review: "The Avengers: The Age Of Ultron movie review"

It follows what any sequel would do: bigger action, more explosion, more CGI set pieces, more characters, more subplots and more of everything. Luckily, Joss Whedon (who helmed the first movie) somehow knows where to stop. Although at times, it is clear that 'Bigger' gets in the way. In the second outing, the Avengers are more emotionally developed and everyone has different ideas and motives thanks to the series of solo movies. Though the movie feels crowded and bloated at times, it is still massively entertaining with its thrilling action set pieces and yet is emotive at core.

The story: Most sequels start with a big bang action scene and this is no different. The Avengers is on a mission: to raid Hydra outpost. Before you say Joss gets too overwhelmed with big action and explosions, he smartly lets the audiences spend the next 20-30 minutes uncovering more of each avengers emotionally. The party scene is a rare scene where you get to see them relax and just being themselves…just before the action starts rolling out again. In the trailers, Ultron (James Spader), the main villain, looks menacing and seems to be the fight of the Avengers' life. However, in the movie, he is gladly not a two dimensional villain who is hell bent on destroying everything. He has wits and at the same time, menacing. The two new addition to the movie, Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) are alright. Mind you, they serve a purpose in the movie, not just random characters thrown into the mix. The most anticipated new character, Vision (Paul Bettany), appears in the last third of the movie. Joss is smart to give the audience what they want. Although Vision has a short screen time, he does portray his strength in the extended climax. But of course, more of his capabilities  to be seen in the next sequels.

Joss handles the action scenes well without making them too bloated and exhausting. The fast paced action scenes are thrilling and entertaining enough to hold my attention although the climax is almost identical to the climax in the first movie. He also manages to squeeze in breakers in between action scenes so it is not a mindless soulless action-packed movie. Music by Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman is somewhat disappointing. Two great composers and this is what they come up with? No doubt it sounds decent but it could be something more than that.

Overall: It will no doubt be a massive hit. The big action scenes and ambitious scope will definitely make the movie worth to catch on the big screen. Joss handles the massive spectacle and characters' development well. It seems a pity that Joss will not continue with the franchise but it would be exciting what the new directors, Anthony and Joe Russo (the directors of Captain Amercia: The Winter Soldier and its sequel) will do with the existing franchise.