Is AGE OF ULTRON a worthy sequel? Movie Review

By Colton Lee Thompson

May 1st, 2015

The summer movie season officially kicks off today with “Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron”, the sequel to 2012's smash hit. When we left our heroes in that film, they had come together as a group and separated only to return when needed most. In “Age of Ultron”, they are most needed as Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) has created an artificial intelligence named Ultron, who when first awakened does not see the Avengers as peacekeepers but sees them as war mongers. Ultron decides to go on his own, recruiting Pietro and Wanda Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olson), twins who were experimented on by Hydra's Baron von Strucker, giving Pietro superspeed and Wanda the ability to manipulate minds and create energy blasts. This sets the stage for the Avengers to come together and fight Ultron and bodes well for a few wicked battle scenes.


Being a comic book geek this could become a very biased movie review, but I can promise you it's not. This film is actually a lot of fun even for the non-geek, but I'm sure could also be very tiresome and repetitive for the non-geek. Director Joss Whedon takes everything he did with the first film and gives it a mature paint job. The goal of the first film was to bring the team together and what makes this film so enjoyable is that it's all about tearing them apart. Even then, the film's central theme is A.I. Lately there have been many films based around the idea of artificial intelligence (Chappie, Ex Machina, etc.) and while I didn't quite enjoy those two as much as others, I feel like they had a better understanding on the subject. At times, Ultron's plan feels like a set up for future Marvel films. (You'll get my point once you reach Wakanda in the film). In fact, the whole film seems like a set up for the future. Not only that, some of the loose ends are tied up fairly quickly. There has to be at least 30-45 minutes cut from this movie and it feels like it.

The two additions (Taylor-Johnson, Olsen) are fantastic in their roles even though their accents may not be. Their back stories give us another look into the past of Stark Industries before our entry point in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I feel shows how mature the characters have become since then. While this film does display a certain amount of maturity, it doesn't go without it's light moments. When the jokes are made, they are an absolute hit. The banter between the team is stronger than ever here. That's one of the strengths I see in these Marvel films. They are able to take very dark moments and lighten the mood in the very next scene. You need that. You need that sense that everything is going to be okay in the end.

Humanity in heroes goes a long way. The film slows down to take time to remind us that some of these characters are actually human, and even the "gods" aren't perfect. This is why Marvel remains on top of the blockbuster chain. Sure it seems rushed. Sure it seems like one big spectacle. But when those human elements are added, most flaws can be overlooked because they succeed where most blockbusters can't.


Age of Ultron. Yes, it's worthy. While I did enjoy the first film a bit more, this is still an action-packed, thrill ride that is a feast on the eyes, classical music on the ears and a damn good time at the movies. B+.

Why 'IT FOLLOWS' is the Best Damn American Horror Film in Years!

By Colton Lee Thompson

Jump scares have taken the modern horror film and turned most into garbage. It's an unpopular opinion that only I seem to have, but it's become such a generic formula compared to earlier horror films which had depth, toxic atmospheres and most importantly – characters that we can relate to.

'It Follows' happens to come along and freshen the air. It's a strong cup of coffee in the morning. A complete opposite of the modern day horror film, exactly what the genre needs right now. The atmosphere, the characters, the setting, the themes all crafted wonderfully by writer-director David Robert Mitchell in his second directorial effort, who has made the best damn American Horror film in years.

Maika Monroe plays Jay, a young college student who has begun dating a guy named Hugh. The two decide to have sex late one evening where Hugh drugs her saying that “It” has been passed along to her, and it will follow her until she is either killed or she passes it along to someone else through sexual intercourse. 

Let's not forget the score. 'It Follows' has arguably one of the best horror soundtracks since John Carpenter's 'Halloween' theme. It is instantly recognizable and gives the air a bit of a chill. Suspense is a constant thanks to the music wonderfully done by Disasterpiece (Rich Vreeland).

What is great here is the overall themes presented in the film. Mitchell's characters are relatable in fear. Fear hangs over every character. The fear of intimacy. The fear of sexually transmitted diseases. The fear of growing up. The fear of “It” tracking you down, no matter where you are and no matter what you're doing. Never feeling safe and feeling that you can't trust anybody. These are all issues we deal with as human beings, and 'It Follows' brings these issues out in the open for all to see. Not only that, but the film isn't loaded with blood and guts. It has very few jump scares and the ones that do occur are earnest and well done. 

If only more horror films could strive to do what 'It Follows' accomplishes. I left the theater unsure of what to think, only knowing that I hope to see more. 'It Follows' is a drug that pumps your system with adrenaline and makes it worth taking more than once.

An absolutely easy 5 out of 5.