Avengers: Age of Ultron

                                                                                                            #StokerScore 10/10

It's been a couple of months since I was last at the movies and I have to admit that I'd been really looking forward to this one.

Last time out we saw the Avengers see off a threat from Loki, in league with Thanos, and this time we're thrown straight back into the action. The movie opens with an all out assault on a HYDRA base with the team still trying to recapture Loki's power staff. That every character was given an opportunity to show off their skills in the opening minutes is a credit to the writers and director and for me, a guy certainly old enough to know better but who grew up on Marvel comics, it was satisfying on every level.

I am annoyed that the powers that be can't seem to get their act together and have just one Marvel Cinematic Universe. Sure, this is the name being given to what Marvel and The House of Mouse are doing, but it's the second version of Quicksilver in a year. Don't get me wrong, both Aaron Taylor Johnson's and Evan Peters' versions are satisfyingly different, but ultimately what's the point? Small gripe out of the way and back to the movie at hand.

Guardians of the Galaxy and the first Avengers movies really set the bar for fun, comic-based movies, but AOU moves away from that into more serious territory. Sure, there's still the well-thought-out set piece scenes, a feeling that you're watching Superheroes and with enough colour in both costumes and writing to rival the moody direction that DC are taking, but there is also what's to come. The increased roster of characters doesn't feel that each get's significantly less screen time, a problem leveled at other movies trying to pack too much in.

This movie effectively ends what's known as Phase 2 and next up with Thor: Ragnarok, Captain America: Civil War and Doctor Strange (who doesn't seem to deserve a colon) there are going to be some tough times ahead and I thought the explanation of these characters stances was justified in taking time away from the explosions and destruction.

Special mention to James Spader, the voice of Ultron, for having to take over from Tom Hiddlestone as the movies bad guy. I wasn't sure that was possible but I was wrong!

If you enjoyed The Winter Soldier and are looking for a comic book movie with some pithy one-liners married to some great story-telling, whilst at the same time feeling truly awed, this is the movie for you.........and finally, where is Hulk? Planet Hulk, anyone?