PTC Movie Review: Avengers: Age of Ultron

The latest film in the Marvel super-hero franchise is an exciting action blockbuster, but contains violence and language inappropriate for younger children. Avengers 2: Age of Ultron Review by Christopher Gildemeister Release Date: May 4, 2015 MPAA rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction, and for some suggestive comments. Starring: Robert Downey, Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Bettany, voice of James Spader Recommended age: 16+ Overall PTC Traffic Light Rating: Red Tony Stark has a plan. As Iron Man, the billionaire inventor is a member of the superhero team the Avengers, who are dedicated to fighting crime and terrorist threats. Stark’s plans are far grander: he wants to create a device to protect the entire world, both from invaders from without and from global threats. But Stark succeeds too well, creating a form of artificial intelligence in an indestructible robot body that wants to make the world “safe”…by cleansing it of humanity. This evil entity, Ultron, recruits two metahuman orphans – the super-fast Quicksilver and the psychic Scarlet Witch – to help him in his plans; and ultimately, the only thing that stands between Ultron and global destruction are the Avengers. As is typical of superhero movies, Avengers: Age of Ultron contains huge amounts of fantasy violence, with ray-guns zapping, whole cities devastated by super-powered characters and killer robots, and lots of combat between the Avengers and various human and super-human foes. There are also a few more graphic and intimate moments of violence; one super-heroic character is machine-gunned and dies, while others suffer various forms of psychological trauma. The film’s language is particularly objectionable. Literally the first word heard in the film is “s**t;” and unlike the comics on which they are based, the film’s characters are not reticent in throwing around other profanities. There is even a running gag in which the other heroes tease the 1940s-era Captain America for NOT using foul language. Avengers: Age of Ultron is a thrilling blockbuster comic-book action picture, which also contains some surprisingly sensitive and touching moments of character development. As such, it will appeal to fantasy fans of all ages; but parents should be aware that some of the film’s content is not appropriate for younger viewers. The PTC does not recommends this film for viewers under age 16.