Avengers: Age of Ultron.

[Rendakor]

Saw it last night, it was good but not great. I went in expecting nonstop action with no character development, but actually felt it moved a little slow. Lots of good dialog though, and Spader fucking killed it as Ultron.

[Ghambit]

To me, the Vision stole the movie... as good as Ultron was.  I hear talk he's going to be featured quite heavily from here on out for good reason, as there's something about that cool, calculating, zen-like kickass he brings that's very appealing.   The storyline between he and SW also intrigues me; I can see why they'd be an item.

[jgsugden]

[Ghambit]

Oh, and Elizabeth Olsen's boobage.  Noice.

[Johny Cee]

Oh, and Elizabeth Olsen's boobage.  Noice.

[Hutch]

Just saw it today. I am so glad that I stopped reading this thread, and watching clips, about 3 or 4 weeks ago. So much spoilage to be had.
I liked it. Would watch again, and buy a hard copy.

Having said that, here's a fantastic clip, with Ultron talking to the twins.

Great examples of some of the things mentioned upthread.
- Even Ultron gets some funny lines
- Elizabeth Olson is smoking hot
- Spader owns it as Ultron

[MahrinSkel]

- Elizabeth Olson is smoking hot

Saw a picture of her, was confused for a moment; "Did one of the Olsen twins change her name?" Turns out she's their younger sister. Shit, I'm getting old (she's the same age as my oldest daughter).

--Dave

[Khaldun]

You know, I loved that there was "too much shit from other movies"

[Velorath]

You know, I loved that there was "too much shit from other movies"[spoiler] as far as the staff went. I hate it when the bad guys conveniently forget what something could do. Very consistent with the plot development work around the Mind Gem too.

I find it odd that Johny Cee's example of too much reliance on shit from other movies is something that was introduced in the previous Avengers movie. I get if people feel like they're missing out on references from the solo movies, but I don't think assuming that people watching Avengers 2 probably saw Avengers 1 and remember at least the broadest plot details is expecting too much from the audience.

[Ironwood]

"I'm glad you asked because I wanted to take this time to explain my evil plan."

Yeah.

Film is much more cohesive on a second viewing, while also being really clear on just how much was cut.

Deary me.

[NowhereMan]

Aha but
I actually want to see this again, with a bigger screen better sound and less random censoring. I'm going to be in the UK next week and might actually try and get an Imax viewing. Which will be the first movie I've watched twice in the cinema since I was like 12.

[Lakov_Sanite]

So far it's been a one way door when it comes to movie/tv in the MCU, I don't really see that changing anytime soon.

[Mattemeo]

The DVD/blu-ray release is supposedly coming with an Extended Cut (no idea if it'll be the 3 hour 'Whedon' cut or a pared down version) that will hopefully wrap up some of the more glaring omissions (like pretty much everything Thor does away from the team and hopefully, hopefully more Red Room stuff).

Also, they should have made a Black Widow movie by now. Seriously. I would move shit around to make way for one if I were Marvel. Everyone I know who went to see AoU wants more Widow.

[NowhereMan]

I think they're in a tricky place there somewhat. Widow's whole schtick is her dark and mysterious past, a movie about her confronting her past and going through a redemption arc would be really good but then you've lost a lot of the tension and drive the character has that makes her actually interesting. On the other hand doing a 'darker' spy type movie would have the problem of being a retread of the Winter Soldier. Having said that though I could see her being a pivotal figure in say, CA3, if that is more Bucky-centric. Maybe when we're closer to A3 or they're looking to sideline the character a bit more, for the moment she runs the risk of not being very interesting as a supporting character if they actually look into a character arc for her in her own film.

Also on the movie/TV thing: They might use it as a plotline for AoS season 3? Then

[jgsugden]

Apparently, the lack of tv influencing the movies was a Whedon led decision. The rules might... might be changing there. When Tony applied Friday there were some other chips on the table... one had an interesting name...

[Lakov_Sanite]

 This is an interesting read. Massive spoilers included.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/flaws-marvels-all-connected-cinematic-792904

TL;DR comic movies are turning into comics.

[Merusk]

Yep. Nothing has meaning, but you have to watch it all or else be 'that guy' who missed the reference and therefore isn't a "REAL" fan.

[HaemishM]

You know I see this criticism of comic/series fiction all the time.


"Oh you know the character can't die so there's no dramatic tension!!"

Bullshit. That's only true if the writer is a complete and utter fucking hack with no ability to write at all. I've read comics off and on most of my life. My favorite TV series are often the ones with tightly linked continuity from week to week. Knowing that Daredevil is going to return in the next issue doesn't make me any less entertained by the dangers he is put through this issue. While yes, it can be taken to ridiculous extremes, especially when important and well-written events/deaths are retconned out of existence a year down the line and when every character who dies is eventually brought back, often in a ham-fisted way.

Not all stories have to have take it or leave it consequences to be good stories. Knowing that there was another Captain America movie coming or another Avengers movie didn't mean I enjoyed AoU any less.

[Lakov_Sanite]

Re:death

[NowhereMan]

Re:death

Honestly? I didn't think about it at all during the movie itself.
Also I agree with Haemish. Who came out of the last Bond movie going, 'Well I mean how likely was it Bond was going to die? Personally I never felt any excitement or worry because, it's James Bond. Obviously they need to be able to replace the main character or I'll never be able to believe there's any danger.' Do real people actually feel this way because there's no way the story is going to have mankind get eradicated?

[HaemishM]

That isn't the reason comics aren't popular. Like, at all. It never has been and never will be the reason comics aren't popular. Comics were HUGE in the 50's and 60's (though not always super hero comics) though it was mainly kids that were reading them - and that was when there was almost never any death in the comics ever because of the Comics Code.

[Lakov_Sanite]

Thing about Bond movies is you know Bond is ok but everyone else? Well we know how skeyfall turned out.  Now you get super movies where EVERY character is bond, who you know is already in the sequel.  Sometimes they do it well though, heck look at the daredevil show.  In that you knew Murdoch and Fisk would be there, maybe Foggy but the show really made you worry for anyone else.

I don't think comics lack of death is what hurts them, it's the lack of any permanency.  Look at the most famous graphic novels and comics, most if not all of them are self contained stories where real consequences happen, the killing joke, watchmen, the walking dead.

[NowhereMan]

It's a fair point but honestly it's a bit premature in terms of the MCU. I think it's potentially a problem but declaring it now? That's literally just accusing them of feeling too much like the comics to you, which is the exact other end of the spectrum from people's problems with DC. Now it's not something that'll never happen, I'll happily admit that it's possible the MCU will go the same way of never letting anyone stay dead/make any real change but we're definitely not there yet. Anyone saying otherwise has just decided it's close enough to the comics and that's a problem they have ipso facto, hoc proc ergo, etc., etc.

[Johny Cee]

You know, I loved that there was "too much shit from other movies"

[HaemishM]

I think in the cases you are talking about, it's really not a huge leap to expect the viewers of a sequel to be up on some of the tying threads from other parts of the shared universe movies. And I really don't think it needed even as much exposition as you suggest. The movie starts with "super heroes shutting down bad guys." It could easily have been something completely new with no other tie-in to the other movies or TV shows at all and it would have served the same purpose.

[jgsugden]

Johny Cee:

[Merusk]

That's rather the point, though. Casual fans are left with a lot of, "Wait.. what? How?" 

It bothered me that the staff was in someone else's hands until I decided internally that it must've been stolen between Avengers and Cap II. But I only had that information because I was loosely following things.

I really want to ask a few guys around the office that aren't geeks what they thought, but none of them have had time to watch it yet. Some probably won't until it's on Netflix/ DVD, the same way they saw the first one because of kids. Shocker.

[01101010]

That's rather the point, though. Casual fans are left with a lot of, "Wait.. what? How?" 

It bothered me that the staff was in someone else's hands until I decided internally that it must've been stolen between Avengers and Cap II. But I only had that information because I was loosely following things.

I really want to ask a few guys around the office that aren't geeks what they thought, but none of them have had time to watch it yet. Some probably won't until it's on Netflix/ DVD, the same way they saw the first one because of kids. Shocker.

I have only seen Ironman 1, Capt America 1, and Avengers 1. I'll let you know if and when I see this or the other movies I will need to fill in the gaps.

[Velorath]

Re:death

[Slyfeind]

That would have been good, except

[Evildrider]

That's rather the point, though. Casual fans are left with a lot of, "Wait.. what? How?"  

It bothered me that the staff was in someone else's hands until I decided internally that it must've been stolen between Avengers and Cap II. But I only had that information because I was loosely following things.

I really want to ask a few guys around the office that aren't geeks what they thought, but none of them have had time to watch it yet. Some probably won't until it's on Netflix/ DVD, the same way they saw the first one because of kids. Shocker.

I have only seen Ironman 1, Capt America 1, and Avengers 1. I'll let you know if and when I see this or the other movies I will need to fill in the gaps.

If you haven't seen Guardians yet, you are really missing out.

edit:  Not so much plot wise, but more that it's one of the best Marvel movies.  Also Cap 2.  :)

[K9]

Despite reading all this and seeing most of these films, I genuinely have no idea who or what Hydra are. If it's apparent from the films, I've missed it somehow

[Evildrider]

Despite reading all this and seeing most of these films, I genuinely have no idea who or what Hydra are. If it's apparent from the films, I've missed it somehow

Cap 1 introduces Hydra, they are the main bad guys, and Cap 2 continues with Hydra.  Also SHIELD does too.

[Fordel]

TLDR: They are Nazi's.


Longer Version: They are fascists that truly believe the world would be a far better place if they were in charge and running everything, so will use ANY means to reach their desired end goal.

[WayAbvPar]

TLDR: They are Nazi's.


Longer Version: They are fascists that truly believe the world would be a far better place if they were in charge and running everything, so will use ANY means to reach their desired end goal.

Apparently I am a Hydra man. Except I am too lazy to run anything.