The "Atlantis: The Lost Empire" Book Tag // a dive into the characters and similarities to Stargate (1994)

Hello and good tidings, all you explorers of stories!

This month the movie Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) turned 25 years old! And when it comes to this movie, I am a HUGE fan. Let's see, it has:

• Blue being the main design color for the Atlanteans (which I approve of heartily) 
• An original story for Disney in the style of Jules Vernes's work (only maybe copied from something else...stay tuned for my theory on that.)
• One of the best examples of a large cast of characters being done right where they all have their unique personalities and skills to contribute which makes each memorable.
• A self-awareness of the explorer/white savior dynamic that other films (*cough* The Road to El Dorado *cough*) are lacking, and an examination of what it means to interact with other cultures (which they could do with this fictional world in ways that are not disrespectful!) 
• Great quotes and comic relief.

Not to say it doesn't have its fair share issues (and surprises, such as one of the highest body counts in a Disney movie?), but it navigates a new territory in story, characters, and themes that Disney had not explored before. 

All that's to say, it's a delight. And I'm not the only one who thinks so, as Sally Silverscreen at 18 Cinema Lane put together a book tag to celebrate that this movie has been around for a quarter of a century (just multiply that by 340 and we get Kida's age). I'm filling it out today to join in the celebration.

Remember that excellent huge cast of characters I mentioned earlier? Each of the questions based on one of the characters! Because of that, there are SPOILERS for the movie. This movie is super nostalgic for me so I wouldn't recommend revealing the twists to yourself if you haven't seen it.

Questions:

Milo Thatch: 

Throughout the film, Milo never gives up on finding Atlantis, even when he originally faced scrutiny from the Smithsonian Institute’s board of directors. What book series do you see yourself not giving up on?: 

I didn't give up on The Queen's Thief series - by Megan Whalen Turner even though I was super tempted a time or two. But it paid off because the last book was my favorite!

As far as a series that I am still in the midst of reading go, the sequels in the Emily series - by L. M. Montgomery are #1 on my Goodreads list. I read the first book, Emily of New Moon (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4), in 2019 and keep meaning to continue the series. It hasn't happened in the last 7 years but that doesn't mean my resolve is crumbling at all!

Another one would be to read all of Agatha Christie's books. I only read a Hercule Poirot book every few years people might have thought that I've given up, but that's the not the case at all. I'm just savoring them!

Kidagakash "Kida" Nedakh:

While recounting the state of Atlantis, Kida says, “We [Atlanteans] are like a stone the ocean beats against. With each passing year a little more of us is worn away.” Which book would you save from becoming lost to time?:

The Kite Runner - by Khalid Hosseini. This is a hard, hard book. It deals with very horrific things and dark circumstances but has stuck with me even 5 years after I read it. Due to some of the subject material it has been challenged to be a banned book so I would like to save it from being lost in time in that sense. There have been criticisms that certain groups are portrayed in an overly negative light which I have no place to speak about, but aside, it is one of the most stunning works I've ever read and really opened my eyes to perspectives so vastly different from mine.

Audrey: 

As a gifted mechanic, Audrey is tasked with making sure the Ulysses submarine and the team’s vehicles run smoothly throughout the expedition. What book had a pace you thought ran smoothly?: 

Etiquette & Espionage - by Gail Carriger is not your typical "protagonist goes to a new school" book. It's cheeky and fun and has lots of mysteries and lessons for Sophronia to complete. I gobbled it up so quickly and am already working on the second book. And as a bonus that speaks to Audrey's character, there are lots of mechanical goodies as it fits in the steampunk genre.

Also, Audrey is one of my favorite characters EVER and I feel like I forget about her and need to apologize.

Vinny: 

One of Vinny’s most memorable lines is “Hey look, I made a bridge” after creating a pathway using dynamite. What literary worlds would you like to see bridged together?: 

LOVE this question (and a moment to do with "nitroglycerin" takes the cake for my favorite line of the whole film). 

My combination is not going to make a lot of sense, but I just really, really, really want more Lemony Snicket books. Because I've basically read all of them and I want more. Another book series that really reminds me of those books is The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place - by Maryrose Wood. Lemony Snicket's world is here on earth, but has a timeless quality because no reference to the actual timeframe is made. There are cars and skyscrapers and submarines and movie theaters but it could really be anytime post-1960s? Meanwhile, Miss Penelope Lumley and co. are firmly in Victorian London. 

To combine this world let's say Miss Lumley and the Incorrigibles (and Simon Harley Dickenson) somehow are transported to the future and it's up to Lemony and crew (the cast from the All the Wrong Questions series) to get them back. Because I think it would be cute to see Jake cooking food to coax Alexander, Beowolf, and Cassiopeia to eat. And Penelope being fascinated by Pip and Squeak and their driving. And Moxie trying to get interviews which only Simon takes to heart because he's used to the press as an actor. And meanwhile Lemony is the only one doing any work at the Black Cat Cafe to try to get them home.

OH and each of the characters of the respective worlds being confused about the relationship so they think Penelope is somehow related so they call her Miss Lemony instead of Miss Lumley. 

It would just be fun and cleverness would abound.

Doctor Joshua Sweet: 

According to Disney Wiki, Doctor Sweet was the first character to show Milo kindness during the Atlantis expedition. Which book character would you give kindness to?:

Owen from Becoming Naomi Leon - by Pam Muñoz Ryan. Owen is ADORABLE and PRECIOUS and legit the sweetest kid in the universe but people can be mean to him because he's a FLK (funny looking kid) due to his limp. He's so good natured he doesn't hold the teasing against anyone but that doesn't mean he should have to endure it. I just want to get him ice cream every day and help him practice riding his bike.

And if I'm hanging out with Owen that means I'll be with Naomi, too! I'd tell her she's awesome and brave and I would gush over her soap carvings.

Gaetan "Mole" Molière: 

When Milo meets Mole, he discovers Mole’s dirt collection, with each particle of dirt coming from different parts of the world. If you could collect dirt from a book’s world, where would you go?:

In Between Jobs - by W. R. Gringell there are three worlds: the main world we live in, Behind (where fae, vampires, and many other magical creatures are), and Between (which is how the worlds are bridged). Things from Between are more illusions than anything else. You're not supposed to take things from Between but that doesn't stop Pet and even though I'm a rule follower I would want to take some to see what it could later turn into.

Cookie: 

On Cookie’s chest is a tattoo of “all 38 states.” Which book would you choose out of the states represented in Cookie’s tattoo?:

From the screenshots I can find of him showing off his tattoo it's hard to see what's there, but it looks like at least: Wisconsin, West Virginia, Florida, and Texas? Those are the distinguishable shapes, then the rest of them are a bit blurred together so I'm not sure where the divisors are.

The Last Bus to Wisdom - by Ivan Doig revolves around Montana, but there's also a sizable bit where our main character Donal is on the bus to Wisconsin then when he gets there it's not how he expected it would be.

Mrs. Packard: 

According to Disney Wiki, “Packard is hardly involved during the journey to Atlantis” yet as the Officer of Communications, Mrs. Packard plays a vital role in the Atlantis expedition. Which underrated book character do you wish received more recognition?:

In The Chronicles of Narnia, the Pevensie children and Eustace and Aslan and Caspian are all very well known characters. But as the series goes on even more are introduced yet aren't as talked about as much. For example, Digory and Polly from The Magician's Nephew. I LOVE Polly. I think she's so plucky and down for anything and gets annoyed at Digory at all the right instances. Digory is also a dear. Because it's the 6th book in the series (fight me) maybe people don't get around to it and so these two are just unknown instead of underrated. Maybe with Greta Gerwig's version coming out soon they'll get some more love!

Meanwhile, as far as a character getting more recognition from the author and therefore more "screen/page time" in a book, Margaret's brother in North & South - by Elisabeth Gaskell. His role is so brief that I don't even remember his name (should we guess John? That seems typical of the period). He's only there for a couple of chapters (if that!) and serves the plot point to introduce some misunderstandings and I understand why he can't stick around but I kind of wish he could've been there for Margaret for a little longer because she's going through a time where she really needs some support. Because I'm not there to comfort my girl!

Preston B. Whitmore: 

Because of his funding, Mr. Whitmore is the reason why the Atlantis expedition happens in the first place. If you possessed a large sum of money, what book related purpose would you use the money for?:

Textbooks for students are such a tremendous expense so I would like to set up a way that they could get them for cheaper! With some subjects that are evolving, after a few years textbooks aren't even the most current knowledge so it's painful to buy them for hundreds of dollars when they can't be resold.

(Also, was it just me or did anyone else think Cookie and Mr. Whitmore were the same person for the longest time?  It was only a few years ago that I watched it and realized they were COMPLETELY different characters. They both just seemed like old white guys to me? The rest of the cast are so diverse in race and drawing style and I just associated those two as the same person.)

Kashekim Nedakh and the Queen of Atlantis: 

         

Kashekim and the Queen of Atlantis play important roles in Kida’s story, despite spending most of the movie apart. Which book couple do you wish had gotten to spend more time together?:

I feel like I bring this book up in every tag that I do, but it's gotta be All the Crooked Saints - by Maggie Steifvater. I'm in a particularly celebratory mood when it comes to this book because I finally got my younger sister to read it and then she got one of her friends to read it, too! Daniel and Marisita spend most of the book separated and we hear retroactively about some of the time they'd spent together but I want to see those scenes play out.

This is a perfect book, though, so nothing needs to be changed. I can just imagine it (and maybe make some fan art...).

Helga: 

As one of the villains, Helga is not intended to be a likable character. In your opinion, what book possesses an unlikable female character?:

Leda Fox-Cotton in I Capture the Castle - by Dodie Smith. She's not in it that much but her antagonistic role serves to show what a person looks like who only uses others for themselves (the lesson that Cassandra is learning). She does it well and I really, really, REALLY dislike her for it. Poor Stephen.

Commander Rourke:

In Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Rourke desired to locate a book called the Shepherd’s Journal. Once found, he removes one of the pages from the Shepherd’s Journal in an effort to use that page for bad intentions. Which book would you not want to see fall into a fictional villain’s hands?:

The Count of Monte Cristo - by Alexandre Dumas. Because it's a honking big book and if a villain wanted to use it as a blunt weapon they surely could. 

It's also about revenge and if you don't get through all 1200+ pages you might think that it is encouraging it. I even stalled out part way through, so I imagine a fictional villain who's really busy might not put the effort into finishing it and might be encouraged to poison people and whatnot in imitation of Edmond.

Thanks to Sally for putting those questions together! If you're a fan of Atlantis, feel free to fill it out yourself! For those of you who have seen this (which should be all of you if you made it past my spoiler warning), do any of you remember the sequel? 

I low-key loved the 2nd one growing up. Do I remember the plot? No. Do I remember that it gave me nightmares? Yes. Is it still super nostalgic? Absolutely. All I remember is that they go to a bunch of other climates like a desert and a blizzard and lava? I think I have both films on VHS that I should dig out and coax my player into working. (Editor Chloe here, turns out I don't have the sequel, so it's probably lost to time!)

I'm not sure if the sequel even has continuity or a resemblance to the original, but last year I found another movie that I think is the prototype or inspiration for Disney's work. Do you remember how earlier I said it was maybe copied from something else? My theory is it was inspired by Stargate (1994).

This movie came out 7 years before the animated adventure, but the entire time watching it I kept making connections between the two. Especially through the character archetypes and dynamics. I've only seen Stargate the once while Atlantis has been dozens of times, so I won't go into a huge analysis, just some images to demonstrate my point.

Both are action/adventures films where a group sets out to explore a far away lost culture where they discover new technologies and that the culture isn't lost at all but still alive.

Both promotional posters have pyramids/triangles and beams.

Our protagonist is sandy-blond nerd with round glasses who is the only one who knows the forgotten language.

Army green and ulterior motives? (these characters do veer in different directions but both of strong chins)

Benefactors who give the linguist the benefit of the doubt. (remember how I apparently associate old white men? I guess I associate anyone with white hair who's not an Atlantean.)

Names starting with the same letter aside, it's up to them to protect their people.

Kida is a more developed character than Sha'uri, but they both have conflicts with their fathers about trying something new instead of sticking to the way it has always been done.

sooooooo...what do you guys think?

Do you see the similarities between Stargate and Atlantis: The Lost Empire? Stargate branched off into a TV show and other movies so the first film is most likely where the similarities end, but maybe Atlantis's sequel took notes from those, too!

Do you have an Atlantis character you relate to the most? What worlds would you branch together? Any other beloved direct-to-video sequels you love? Thanks for reading!

Chloe the MovieCritic

Chloe out.

My Top 10 Movie Sequels // mysteries and time travel tend to get it right

Hi, friends!

A popular trend in cinema is to just do the same thing that's been done before, i.e. make a sequel or a remake of a previously made film, but this isn't anything new in Hollywood; just see how many Thin Man or Andy Hardy movies there were. As overused as it is, I get it; sometimes I watch a movie and think "that's so good, I wish there was a sequel!" 

What happens most frequently is when a sequel comes out it disappoints me (don't get me started on Descendants 3 (2019), Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018), or The Son of Robin Hood (1956)). Today, however, I'm going to be looking at those few times when the sequel is just as good or even better than the first.

A rarity indeed, but it still happens! Enough for a top 10 list!

I'm disqualifying things like Marvel movies which are SET UP to have sequels or things that were already books with sequels (that would be a whole list in and of itself). For example, I really enjoy the sequel to Murder on the Orient Express (2017), but as Death on the Nile was already a book I loved I'm not counting.

Talking about sequels is always potentially ripe for spoilers for the original movie, but have no fear, there are no spoilers for any movies here! I'll just be talking about why I love the sequels without talking about the plot or what happened in the first movie. Enjoy!

Honorable mentions: Paddington 2 (2017), Mary Poppins Returns (2018), Descendants 2 (2017), Fantasia 2000 (1999), and Eloise at Christmastime (2003).

10. Men in Black 3 (2012)

I grew up watching the first two movies A LOT. They're quotable and fun, but can also feel a little corny, like they're trying too hard to be wacky. Which is a vibe in and of itself, but that means that sometimes I need to be in the right mood. This one, though, isn't just about fun, it has so much at stake emotionally. It can be HARD to do a time travel movie, but this one absolutely killed it.

It's super clever, too, as by going into the past they created a way to show off "new" tech, meaning 1960s tech, which baffles Jay. It's is an asset, but not always one that works, which creates a new challenge. That's how you do world building, even if your story is still on Earth.

I love getting to "meet" Kay again with a whole new perspective. Then Griffin is super fun, too. The 60s vibes complete with Andy Warhol and mercury cars and eating pie sell the whole story. 

9. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)

I'm sorry, but I'm not a huge fan of the original movie. I know, I know, you should all be throwing your tomatoes at me. I think what it was missing was an older character to keep everyone grounded...like Indy's dad...

Yep, I love this one because it has Sean Connery. The dynamics between him and Harrison Ford are what make this for me.

I think it's like how in Pride & Prejudice you need the extremes of Lydia being silly and Mary being strict to understand how well balanced Jane and Lizzy are? If Indy is by himself he tends to annoy me, but in contrast to his father, I love what each of them brings to the dynamic.

My experience with this series is unorthodox as the first movie I saw was Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls, so maybe I got used to the idea of an older Indy and going back to the first didn't cut it for me? Whatever the reason, this is my ideal adventure story.

8. The Incredibles 2 (2018)

A disclaimer should be that I am not a fan of the original. Like, at all. It always creeped me and made me uneasy. Because of that, I was a little skeptical going in to a sequel, but no fear, I had a BLAST watching it.

I like that we get more time with the kids and the whole role-reversal for the parents (which may only be appreciated sequentially from the original). I love the struggles of navigating boys and math and a burning baby. The new characters we meet are fun and quotable ("Uncrush? Would you unpunch someone?") and even though I could see where the plot was going I wasn't complaining about it. It's about the journey, not the destination, right?

7. Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010)

I've actually watched this one a TON more than the original, so much so that I often forget that the first one exists. It's been long time since I saw last watched this, but now that I'm reminiscing I'm remembering how much I adore it.

I love the premise for this movie. Romances in movies are overrated; give me cousins that HATE each other. The first movie is about tension between siblings, which can happen, but this shows kids uniting against a greater evil: rich relatives. The way that the cousins bicker and then have to resolve their class differences? *chef's kiss*

There are wartime problems not for the faint of heart; "he fell over!" There are pigs and debt collection and ginger soda and gas masks and Nanny McPhee knowing the exact right thing to do.

6. Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

I know I said I was disregarding the MCU, but let's talk about DC briefly: I'm not well versed in their universe, having only seen a couple movies, so I think of these as individual films. 

I only read one comic growing up, and that was Wonder Woman, from my mom's old collections. I LOVED Wonder Woman. So I was super hyped for the 2017 movie, and then it did not live up to that expectation one iota. Why are we in World War II?? Steve is a pilot but that's all the mention we get of any war? If you want war go watch Captain America. He's the one with a shield. Where's Diana's magic lasso and invisible plane??

This sequel, though, is my version of Wonder Woman. I love it. I've only seen it once, but the WHOLE TIME I was like yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. I see now that the first movie was to set up all of the payoffs for this, but I still think we could've jumped right to this epic spectacle. It even has the arena training! What's not to love? 

The vibe of 80s is so on point, complete with themes of indulgence and wishes and what they cost. I just love it a lot. And we get the Cheetah, so I'm happy.

5. Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

When people say sequels are never as good as the first one, I agree with them, and then point to this movie. I talked about my love for the original last year and I have just about as high an opinion of the second one. I can't speak for the third or fourth movie, but this movie is solid.

Mainly because it has one of my favorite movie villains of all time: Lord Shen. Who would've ever thought of an evil albino peacock? It checks out, though, as peacocks are mean.

I love the way that the fighting styles are different for each animal, something that was carried over from the first film in full commitment as new warriors are introduced. The jokes are funny ("my old enemy: stairs.") and the stakes are high. It actually talks about some deep things, including the horrors of (though it never uses the word) genocide. I love the theme of inner peace and find it so powerful in relation to trauma.

4. Enola Holmes 2 (2022)

Mysteries have some of the best sequels as there's so much more fun in store to investigate. I don't love this one as much as the first, but it's still a delight and I ADORE getting more time with Sherlock. Especially because we see Sherlock and Enola interact more which brings out their similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses.

"One should always have steps to avoid people stepping on you. That's a tip. You should probably write that down." 

More screen-time for Enola and Tewkesbury is always a good time and this one plays into it adorably. Dance lessons and fan lessons and walks in the park. Tewkesbury really is trying his best and as his mother, I'm quite proud of him.

This film is a good continuation as it takes the message from the first movie ("you'll do well on your own, Enola") and tweaks it: one should be able to get by on one's own, but that doesn't mean that has to be the way it is. Because I love and relate to the first movie so much I think doing things on my own would be the extreme that I would fall into, so it's a good reminder to have. Enola inspires me by always being so willing to help others and any chance we get to watch that is a joy.

It's about fighting abuses in the working class, which is totally up my alley.

And there is another sequel coming this year! Expectations are high, but Jack Thorne hasn't let me down yet.

3. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Did I mention that I love sequels to mysteries? Or maybe it's just Sherlock Holmes adaptations.

ACK. The VIBES, folks. From Guy Richie's directing choices to Hans Zimmer's score, this movie (and the first, too!) is immersive like no other. The pacing is on fire, the quips are witty and scorching, it's brilliant. There's Don Giovanni and roaming around Europe and chess.

Really, all a movie needs to get me devoted to it is to include chess elements.

It's so clever that everything I try to say about it seems dull in comparison, so just take that as one of the highest recommendations I can give. I could just watch this movie over and over again, and I know that because I have.

Plus, I've talked about it before, but I really love Madam Simza. She makes this whole movie for me.

The following get the top places as they have not just one sequel I adore, but multiple. They are:

2. Back to the Future Part II  and Part III

The second time travel story of this list, so maybe that's a sign.

You know how some people say that The Lord of the Rings is just one book? That's how I feel about these movies. They all go together so well, I think of them as just a solid chunk. Yet it wasn't originally planned to have a sequel, so I can count them in this list.

On paper, what they did in the sequels shouldn't work; they reused scenes from the first one basically shot for shot, just with a different context. It should be a cop-out, it shouldn't work...but it does. It's all about playing with history repeating itself and it's brilliant. It works because they change enough around everything else. It's cheesy at times but it knows it and plays into it. The audience knows certain "comeuppances" and can look forward to them and be satisfied.

The characters do the same things because they are who they are, but they also have moments of change. For example, Marty's character arc through all three is one of my all-time favorites, so what more could I want?

The first movie is classic and great as a standalone. The second movie introduces new themes (indulgences and depravity at its worst...huh, same as Wonder Woman 1984...) and gives a future to avoid. Then the third movie is probably my favorite of the whole bunch. My favorite genre of westerns are parodies (see Support Your Local Sheriff) and I love seeing Doc and Marty in the wild west, complete with inventions and Clint Eastwood references.

And finally, the series that claims the first spot is:

1. Star Wars 

It's a given, as this is one of my favorite stories of all time. The original is, of course, iconic, but the continuation in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and The Return of the Jedi (1983) gave the story so much more.

I mean, the huge plot twist didn't come until The Empire Strikes Back (1980), so without that we wouldn't be able to say, "Nooooooooooo!"

With that fan base established, "the prequels" and "the sequels" were born. Do I think every sequel in this franchise is great? No, as I've seen Rogue One (2016) twice and Solo (2018) once, and they were fine but not for me. I haven't gotten into the spin-off series such as The Mandalorian, The Bad Batch, Asoka, etc.. I can take or leave the prequels. The point is, it has created a lot of other stories that many people do enjoy, and that's beautiful. 

Speaking of the ones I really enjoy...

This is always controversial, but I LOVE the sequels; in fact, The Last Jedi (2017) might be my favorite movie of the whole series. I know, I know, crazy! And you probably feel Rick-rolled after reading this whole post just to get that answer. If you want my explanation for why, check HERE. 

Do I think Rise of Skywalker (2019) lived up to The Return of the Jedi? No, I don't, as the creators got caught up in marketing and trying to please everyone instead of making the story the way they wanted to. I still really love Rise of Skywalker (in fact, to this day it's the only movie that I've seen twice in the theater!) and think it has a ton of merits, just that as far as endings go, The Return of the Jedi takes the cake.

So let's talk about that.

The Return of the Jedi has everything I could want: facing one's fears and temptations, a masterclass in tension and suspense, and adorable Teddy bear creatures. It set up what redemption means so that the rest of the series (prequels and sequels) could follow. It became the standard for an ending, taking everything that had happened in the first two films and completing the (motion) picture.

I love it, and I hope the film says, "I know."

This is my entry in Hamlette and Quiggy's Film. Release. Repeat. Blogathon!

 If you want to hear discussions about more fun sequels or remakes, check it out! And thanks to Hamlette and Quiggy for hosting and giving me a chance to do one of my favorite things: make lists!

What are your favorite movie sequels? Are there any other mystery sequels I should watch? How do you feel about time travel? Has anyone else seen Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang? Thanks to all of you for reading! 

Chloe the MovieCritic

Movie Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Hello, movie fans!

Are any of you in the mood to talk about superhero movies? I always am, so today I am continuing my goal of reviewing as many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films as I can in 2021!

Time sure moves quickly. While I wasn’t part of the fandom for the MCU yet, I remember when this movie came out. Now that was 6 years ago!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This review is completely spoiler free for this film and for all others in the franchise. Because it is such a complicated “universe” of films and so much happens, I will be more vague with each coming review. I want you to experience all the twists and turns for yourself without worry that I’m telling you too much!

I’m here to help you get the best experience, so do as I say and not as I do. With so many movies there has to be a way to organize them, right? Well, there is! There are two ways in fact of watching. They are:

In the order which they were made:

Iron Man (2008), The Incredible Hulk (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013), Thor: Dark World (2013), Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014), Avengers: The Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Dr. Strange (2016), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Spider-man: Homecoming (2017), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Captain Marvel (2019), Avengers: Endgame (2019), & Spider-man: Far From Home (2019).

Or chronological order:

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Captain Marvel (2019), Iron Man (2008), Iron Man 2 (2010), Thor (2011), The Incredible Hulk (2008), The Avengers (2012), Iron Man 3 (2013), Thor: Dark World (2013), Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1 (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Avengers: The Age of Ultron (2015), Ant-Man (2015), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Spider-man: Homecoming (2017), Dr. Strange (2016), Thor: Ragnorok (2017), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), & Spider-man: Far From Home (2019).

If you have never seen a Marvel movie, then this one probably isn’t the best to start with. At the very least it is best to see The Avengers (2012) first, as this is the second on in that series. It isn’t vital, but nice addition to that to know some backstory from characters that I listed above. Enjoy!

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015):

Based on: The Avengers comics - by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

“No matter who wins or loses, trouble always comes around.”

The Avengers have stepped into a rhythm of keeping the earth save. On one mission they run into a strange duo: a boy breaking the possibilities of speed and a girl who’s strange power puts foreboding thoughts into ones mind. Or are they visions of the future? Scared, one of the Avengers decides to build peace keeping technology that would work as a shield around the entire world, named Ultron. With something of that big a magnitude, something is likely to go wrong. This protector revolts, becoming a weapon with a mind of its own. The Avengers face a never before seen threat: a robot that can replicate itself, move around the globe in seconds, and wants to destroy the world instead of saving it. Ultron joins up with the super siblings and each Avenger has nightmares put in their heads from the girl and are now afraid of losing everything. How will they beat this trio in addition to the hundreds of new robots Ultron created? Will making a new piece of technology strengthen their chances or only weaken them?

‘“No way we all get through this...”

“I got no plans tomorrow night.”’

Genres: Superhero, Action, Science-Fiction.

Length: approx. 141 minutes.

Script: 7. There is an amount of swearing and name calling. But, I am a lot like Captain America who is always telling everyone not to swear. It backfires a few times which is funny. I appreciate the effort of course!

“Whoa ho ho! You kiss your mother with that mouth?”

Crew: Directed by: Josh Whedon. Written by: Josh Whedon.

Starring:

I’m not going to tell you everyone who is starring in this movie because there are so many spoilers. I’ll only name a few and you’ll have to guess the rest by pictures and be surprised by others.

James Spader as Ultron. “It is fortunate because I am mighty.”

Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Pietro Maximoff.

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff.

Paul Bettany as J.A.R.V.I.S..

Linda Cardellini as Laura.

Claudia Kim as Helen Cho.

Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue.

Idris Elba as Heimdall.

Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig.

Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill.

Costumes: 8. Average, I would say. Nothing bad and people have really cool costumes/suits that go with their capabilities as superheroes.

Cinematography: 8. I get a little annoyed with how much CGI there is, but that is a minor quibble when there are so many neat things! I especially like how the scenes with the Maximoffs are done.

Cinematography by: Ben Davis.

Music: 8. It has the classic Avengers theme, of course, which makes me very happy whenever I hear it. The rest seems more dramatic than dynamic, but that’s no a bad thing.

Music by: Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman.

Notes: A fun fact is that this is the second most expensive film ever made! The production cost clocked in around 365 million dollars.

Quotability: 9. No one can deny Marvel’s knack for amazing lines! There is so much I quote from this movie especially that I could write a whole post about everything that Clint ever says.

“You didn’t see that coming?”

Content: 7. There is violent fighting, with people getting hurt and killed. In addition to that there is one or two fairly suggestive lines. I didn’t appreciate one comment about “multiplying faster that a Catholic rabbit”, but that’s just me. Ultron feels like he is a “god” so there is a lot of discussion around that. It really depends on the day how I feel about that. Sometimes I feel that it’s well done when with others I think it’s overdone. It has great messages, I just want you guys to be aware of that stuff.

“You get hurt, hurt 'em back. You get killed... walk it off.”

Originality: 10. Fighting robots is classic sci-fi, but this took it up a level! I love the introduction of new characters as well as the simple camaraderie between the avengers. This movie is an excellent example of character driven stories! Everything is fueled by the characters. They make mistakes then try to fix them. It’s the human condition and it’s what I love to see!

Good For: Anyone who loves characters with fantastic arcs, anyone who likes superhero movies, anyone who likes found families, anyone who loves stories where characters sacrifice a lot.

Age Range: This is PG-13 and I agree with that. It is very intense with the fighting, but I would actually say it isn’t as extreme as others because it is fighting against robots and not humans. This could be fine for kids younger than that because of how it’s all handled, though the machines themselves are terrifying. It all depends on the tolerability of the person watching.

Overall Score: 8!

Worth watching?: Yes! These characters mean so much to me and this is a fabulous step in all of their arcs. It gives such a dark view of humanity from Ultron’s perspective but our brave heroes fight against it showing how much people matter. I love it! The first time I watched it I was recovering from having my wisdom teeth pulled and it was perfect to captivate me.

Will I watch again?: Yes, yes, yes! Watching Marvel movies is a big commitment because once you see one you want to watch all other 22, but regardless of knowing that I want to see this again soon. I always get something new out of it.

Bonus thoughts:

“Already tried the mind-control thing. Not a fan.”

This movie somehow takes something seemingly ridiculous and makes it a complex problem to solve. This is said to be one of the least liked films in the franchise, yet the majority of people I talk to about it love it. Why? Because you are so attached to the characters. Each has morals, goals, while fighting fears--even about themselves--and you want them to win so badly. Do they? You’ll have to find out for yourself. Granted, it took a twist with a character that no one was prepared for. Some people don't like it, and I don't blame them as I was surprised, but it's my favorite character so I can't bring myself to have any problems with it. In hindsight it was a brilliant addition!

I am a sucker for sacrifice for the sake of a cause or person, so this film has some of my favorite moments in the universe. It’s obviously not for everyone, but I would say it’s well worth a chance.

Thanks for reading, everyone! Tell me where you are on the spectrum of liking this movie? Let’s talk about all things Marvel! I have a lot of posts planned for the end of this month, participating in several blog parties, so stay tuned for that!

MovieCritic