*spoilers – beware!*

It’s no surprise that critics are raving after the newest installment to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Age of Ultron. With an opening box office of $191,271,109 (the second biggest opening weekend of all time), the film has grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide (as of June 1st). It’s clear that Age of Ultron will continue to soar ahead in the box office over the next few months.

The movie starts off with the Avengers raiding a Hydra outpost, in the east European country of Sokovia, led by Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. Unknown to the Avengers, von Strucker has successfully mutated two twins using Loki’s stolen scepter. Their mission goes terribly wrong when the Maximoff twins reveal their powers – Wanda Maximoff, with telekinesis, and Pietro Maximoff, who can run as fast as lightning. However, Tony Stark manages to extract AI code that will revolutionize the world… except it doesn’t. The highly advanced AI, Ultron, goes rogue and plots to “save” the world by eradicating all of humanity. He forces the team’s scientist friend to create a synthetic body for him using the scepter’s gem.

In the meantime, the Avengers fight amongst themselves, angry at Dr. Banner and especially Stark because they have created a monster. Stark secretly uploads J.A.R.V.I.S into the synthetic body, which introduces Vision (yes!) into the Marvel Universe. The Maximoffs finally figure out what Ultron’s destructive plan is, and team up with the Avengers, and successfully stop Ultron from dropping a large part of Sokovia’s capital city on the earth, avoiding global extinction. But Pietro dies when he saves Barton from a blast, sadly. At the end of the film, we find Banner flying away to an unknown location after he realizes the damage he has uncontrollably caused as the Hulk.

All in a day’s work, right?

The film definitely opened with a bang, but there wasn’t anything new – that is, until the Maximoffs were seamlessly introduced. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch were character favorites in this film, with Pietro’s snarky personality and Wanda’s awe-inspiring visions. Since the film’s release, the twins have become quick fan favorites, especially because of Pietro’s unfortunate demise.

The central plot of the film was definitely very interesting. In terms of a central plot, there wasn’t much hand-holding for new viewers, but this added to the [greatness] of the film. A.I. tech has been in the MCU universe since forever, thanks to Tony’s inventions, but this movie explored the effects of letting artificial intelligence go too far – especially when it’s combined with various superpowers.

However, there were some strange plot points that fans wouldn’t have expected from this film. For one, it was surprising that HYDRA and SHIELD didn’t have a bigger impact on the movie, especially since Captain America: The Winter Soldier revealed that HYDRA has taken over SHIELD. Nick Fury did make an appearance at the Barton household, but it was only for a few minutes and didn’t really further the whole SHIELD plot. And speaking of Clint, his backstory came out of left field – Marvel really wants him to be settled down in the MCU. Many fans have issue with this, as it doesn’t really relate to anything from the comics. And, of course, fans who ship Hawkeye and the Black Widow weren’t very happy with Natasha Romanoff’s development in this film. However, the visions of her past put into her mind by the Scarlet Witch are a great introduction to a potential Black Widow movie (hurry up, Marvel).

As usual, special effects were spectacular in Age of Ultron – after all, it’s Marvel. But in this movie specifically, action scenes are often in slow motion, where the viewer is able to fully appreciate the skills of the various heroes. A standout feature was Wanda’s honed skill with her telekinetic powers, which producers illustrated through the distorted and surreal visions she gave to the Avengers throughout the film.

Age of Ultron was a blast (literally) to watch. Hardcore Marvel fans might have a few qualms about this film, but its great effects, combined with its introduction of new characters and plot definitely make it worth the watch.