The highly anticipated sequel to the Marvel blockbuster combines humor and action and old characters and new ones to make “Avengers: Age of Ultron” an undeniably entertaining film.

The basic plot is Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, works with Bruce Banner, AKA Hulk, to create an Artificial Intelligence whose sole job is to protect the world. They succeed, and Ultron is born, but, big surprise, things go wrong. Ultron decides that the best way to save humans is to trigger evolution by causing some mass destruction. Ultron poses an especially big threat because he’s pretty much ubiquitous. He’s all over the internet and can transfer himself from vessel to vessel, though he spends most of his time in an impressive terminator-looking robot body. He’s made an even bigger threat when he joins forces with the Maximoff twins, Wanda and Pietro, super beings that were the subjects of many Hydra experiments.

There are many returning characters, the Avengers and their associates, and interesting fresh faces, most notably Ultron and the Maximoffs. This film delves deeper into the core of the Avengers as people. The audience sees Tony Stark’s fear of not doing enough and failing everyone, sees the  traumas Natasha Romanoff faced in the Black Widow program, sees Steve Roger’s (Captain America) feel like he does not belonging, and finally learn something about Clint Barton (Hawkeye).  The actors all prove extremely capable of transitioning seamlessly from an intense emotional scene to kicking butt to friendly banter. James Spader as Ultron ranges from haunting to hilarious and is sure to impress viewers. Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor Johnson play the Maximoffs. They have great chemistry and really pull off the “us against the world” vibe. Both actors are great at using subtly to hint at characterization.

As far as plot goes the movie isn’t spectacular. Ultron had potential to be so much more interesting, but the film didn’t spend enough time exploring his emotions, emotions that one wouldn’t expect an AI to have. Its action scenes are spectacular, its comedic timing is great, the characters are engaging, but Ultron himself feels almost inconsequential. It’s easy to tell this movie is building toward the next one, and it takes some of the fun out of it. Nevertheless, the movie remains enjoyable.

The movie is great fun for everyone, four of out five stars showing at all local theaters.

By Sienna Mata