【電影簡介】

身經(jīng)百戰(zhàn)的超級英雄們產(chǎn)生了職業(yè)倦怠，已經(jīng)卸下鋼鐵戰(zhàn)甲的托尼·斯塔克因此發(fā)明了“奧創(chuàng)”——有自我意識(shí)、有學(xué)習(xí)能力的人工智能機(jī)器人，并將指揮機(jī)器人軍團(tuán)的重任交給奧創(chuàng)。令超級英雄們始料不及的是，不斷進(jìn)化的奧創(chuàng)得出了“人類是地球上最大的威脅”這一結(jié)論，進(jìn)而開始實(shí)施清洗人類的毀滅計(jì)劃。有強(qiáng)大能力的改造人兄妹快銀和猩紅女巫也成為奧創(chuàng)的幫手，四處制造麻煩。復(fù)仇者聯(lián)盟必須再度集合，解決這個(gè)由他們親手制造的危機(jī)。

【音頻文本】

When I was a school boy, Japanese comics were the currency of the day. Whoever came into possession of onevolume of Dragon Ball or Saint Seiya would instantly become the most popular kid, at least among the boys.During breaks and on the way home, their friendly discussions and passionate squabbles often centred on whether Vegeta could beat Goku or who among the Knights of the Zodiac was the strongest. Through the exchange of stories and opinions, acquaintances became friends and the manga stories the shared experience of almost an entire generation. Today, if the occasion permits, reference to Dragon Ball or Saint Seiya often brings young Chinese people closer to each other.

In the future, young adults around the world will probably have a shared topic when they meet each other for the first time at English corners or a friend's home party, that is Marvel Studio films. Avengers: Age of Ultron, the latest entry in Marvel's Cinematic Universe, garnered 33.9 million dollars on the opening day in China, bringing the total global income close to 1 billion dollars. Like all major blockbusters, thesuperhero ensemble has become a global phenomenon in spite of itself.

For major productions of this scale, the role of a director as an artist often gives way to that of a supervisor, personality and style have to come after the ability to honour deadlines and see through the production process. Director Joss Whedon may have tried to portray each of the superheroes in a different and personal light, but balancing the screen time is no easy job because most of the characters are big shots who deserve a standalone film by themselves. Plus the director often has to surrender to the impulse of creating super-powered spectacles. "Age of Ultron" appears to have improved both in character-building and visual splendour, but if you care to look closer, the improvements are insignificant, if any.

First of all, not all character building serves a purpose. For example, when Scarlett Johanson's Black Widow looks into her past tragedies, the revelation hardly propels the storyline. The rift between Ironman and Captain America does move things ahead, but only if you look at the larger picture and the entire storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As for the arch-villain Ultron, the enemy believed to be more powerful and smarter than anything the heroes have ever faced before all but crumbles in front of the half united force of the Avengers. What a waste of James Spader's brilliant voice acting!

Surely there is something in these spectacles, since an unprecedented 3000 shots have gone through enhancement during post production. But extended fighting sequences or smooth action choreograph cannot appeal toviewers who doze off. I personally cannot recall what happens to Thor and the Black Widow during their loud business in South Africa, and I'm sure others feel weary too during the gruesome 140-minute sedentary stint.

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