Spoiler Alert: Age of Ultron, Part Two · 12:33am Jul 23rd, 2015
: Unfortunately for Tony, he has to go to Thor's going away party on the third day, and the AI still hasn't been successfully built.
OR HAS IT?!
: Yeah, somehow Ultron comes online after Stark leaves. Ah ain't no computer expert, so ah won't question it. But he quickly takes out Tony's original, less advanced AI JARVIS an' begins assemblin' Iron Man armors ta use as weapons. How could he've turned so hostile so quickly?
: Well, he was connected to the internet.
: Meanwhile, the Avengers are attending the soiree Stark is throwing. Even War Machine and Falcon are there, even though the former didn't get invited to the last scene. It's a rather nice scene, with some good humor and character interaction, until Natasha, the Black Widow, begins to flirt with Bruce.
Tell me, Twilight, did these two ever...mingle in the comics?
: Uh, no. And given Widow's extensive dating history, that's saying something.
: Mmm. And have they had any romantic interaction in prior films? Or romantic foreshadowing?: Nope. I mean, they interacted in the first Avengers, but their relationship seemed to do little more than highlight how dangerous Banner could be. And she didn't even mention him throughout Winter Soldier.: I see. And do they have any prior romantic commitments that the filmmakers should've acknowledged?
: Well, given that Natasha was heavily implied to have a relationship with Hawkeye, given that she wore jewelry he gave her, and Bruce was involved with Betty Ross in both of the Hulk movies, yes, yes they did.: So the chief romantic relationship of this movie came out of absolutely nowhere, ignoring both fan wishes and the overall story arc of the universe? Lovely.
: Plus, am I the only one who's a little un-unnerved by their interaction? It's a bit...creepy.: Yes, it's an admittedly thin line to walk, but I think this relationship definitely ended up on the wrong side. Natasha's predatory courting is not endearing at all, especially given how taken aback Banner is. Imagine if the genders were swapped in this scene, and all of a sudden it takes on a whole different subtext to your culture.
The fact that the other characters are so enthusiastic to insist that this relationship was obvious from the day they first met despite all evidence to the contrary doesn't make me an more accepting of this pairing, by the way.
: Oh, an' Stark casually throws out a rape joke durin' the party. Classy.
: But Ultron interrupts the party, attacking them all wit' Iron Legion drones.
Umm, why?
Ah mean, there's no way he thought a couple'a drones would kill the Avengers. So wouldn't it've made more sense fer him ta sneak away while the Avengers were partyin', then build up his power so he could strike them as hard as he could without them even knowin' who he is?: Well, at least he used the meme that got this film so much attention.
: To nobody's surprise, the Avengers beat the Iron drones, but Ultron gets away with the scepter. He convinces the Maximoffs to join him and take down the Avengers, who they see as American bullies. The three of them start raiding labs around the planet, and they also off Strucker.: Goodbye, Baron. You were a great villain who wasn't allowed to live to his potential.
Can I just say that killing off Strucker was a COLOSSAL mistake? Then again I'm pretty sure they did it so they could give Zemo more room to do the whole Baron thing and let's be honest..... Zemo is a little cooler.
3265455 Oh, yes you may.
While Zemo may be a teeny bit cooler, he's more of a specific Captain America villain, while Strucker threatens Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. as a whole, making both of them important. So while that probably was their logic, that doesn't mean it was the right logic. And if that were the case, why did they bother using Strucker in the first place? They could've used Baron Zemo from the beginning.
3265663 True... Still what WOULD Be interesting? If they say it was an LMD that managed to fool Ultron's sensors, complete with false blood and all, and Strucker survived.... It'd be a stretch and I doubt they'd do that JUST to save face with the fans but... It's something possible. Either that or they bring in one of Strucker's sons like Werner or Andreas to fill the roll
3265887 Ah, good old LMDs.
In fairness, I liked their chemistry, and if mroe (read: Any) effort had been sunk into it I would have sided with it.
Umm, why?
Ah mean, there's no way he thought a couple'a drones would kill the Avengers. So wouldn't it've made more sense fer him ta sneak away while the Avengers were partyin', then build up his power so he could strike them as hard as he could without them even knowin' who he is?
This is the only place I'm wiling to use the "He's crazy" defense, seeing as he just woke up and all.
3265887
LMD's... Shields Doombot.
3268344 I guess, but the film isn't very good at showing Ultron's emotional state. They're constantly trying to show him as in control, even when logically he isn't. So it's hard to understand where that trope does and doesn't fit in here.
3268345 Basically.