Since 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has continuously grown with each passing year. On May 4, 2012, The Avengers had its worldwide release as it was the first movie to incorporate all the heroes into one movie. Avengers: Age of Ultron, the eleventh MCU film, was released on May 1, 2016, as it tried to top its predecessor, The Avengers. I believe that Age of Ultron is a completely different movie. First, its subject of focus is structured. Differently, some characters are thrown in some unexpected directions, it brings up new topics, and its box office numbers are where they should be.

Since there are constant superhero films, it’s time for the superhero film to evolve. Avengers: Age of Ultron attempts this with mixed success. By comparing and contrasting The Avengers with the Age of Ultron, we can then see the evolution. First, I decided to look at both of the Avengers storylines. Kevin Feige, the head producer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, decided to break down the film by phases and patterns. The MCU all started in 2008 with Iron Man, directed by Jon Favreau. This was a significant success, and it was the reason Kevin Feige decided to go full throttle with the MCU. As the years went on, the MCU introduced all types of heroes before uniting them in the first Avengers film.

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Evolution of Superhero Movies: Avengers & Age of Ultron Comparative Study

Avengers Assembled: Balancing Heroes and Humanity

The first Avengers film, written and directed by Joss Whedon, was clearly a risky experiment. Yes, Whedon didn’t have to introduce any of the characters, but he did have to find a way to fit them all together. He had to create a threat big enough to force these vast personalities together while still being on track with the larger MCU plan. The Avengers began with Loki, the god of Mischief, receiving a scepter from an alien being. Loki would then come to Earth, forcing Nick Fury and his S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to bring together the heroes into a team. The team consisted of Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Nick Fury, as Loki was on the verge of attacking Earth.

The hardest job was to make sure there was a balance between the heroes and Loki, keeping them all busy. I’m not sure how, but Whedon was very successful at that. For example, Captain America had to deal with his new life in the 21st century, Bruce Banner was working on his self-control, Black Widow brought Banner into the fold and took out a rogue Hawkeye, and Thor tried to return his brother. Although a large portion of the movie focuses on Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man. In the end, he was the one who started it all and ended up saving the world. Still, the other heroes still played a huge and significant part in the final battle. Even Hawkeye and Widow, the only powerless members, take down an extensive amount of aliens. The best part of the movie has to go to Hulk smashing Loki like a doll.

The reason why I say Iron Man saved the world is that he was the one who pushed the nuclear warhead through a black hole, risking his life. Despite being a superhero movie, The Avengers focused on the humanity in the heroes. They argue, show weaknesses, and sometimes fail to save each other. Yes, we love the action in the film, but it’s the characters we fall in love with. It’s their flaws mixed with their talents that make them attractive. The Avengers was a very character-driven story, which was something I didn’t expect. Unlike The Avengers, the Age of Ultron did not have the benefit of being the first movie. Being the first movie allows the director to use an idea and take any path desired.

Ultron’s Rise: New Threats and Character Dynamics

So the new factor, which was a big part of its success, wasn’t there to cut some slack off the movie. This means Whedon had to balance this movie with all its new additions. Age of Ultron opened up with the team already in battle, trying to retrieve back Loki’s scepter from Hydra. We see the team take out plenty of enemies, in sync, with ease. We also meet two new characters known as the Maximoff twins. The twins, who were meant to guard the scepter, allow Iron Man to take it, hoping the Avengers would destroy themselves with it. With the scepter in Avengers’ hands, Stark and Banner study it in hopes of creating an artificial peacekeeping intelligence known as Ultron. After several failed attempts, Stark and Banner leave to let J.A.R.V.I.S run tests on his own.

While the Avengers were celebrating a victory, making jokes, and even challenging each other, the Ultron system turned on. Unfortunately, Ultron’s programming believed the Avengers were not in the picture of world peace. Ultron embodying a beat-up robotic body tells the Avengers that th