Avengers: Age of Ultron

Yeah, if I were you I would believe the hype...Avengers: Age of Ultron is that good. To beat 2012's original outing, this film did not just have to get the band back together, but get the band back together with a bang - and it certainly did!

All the old fantastic and classic elements were there that you would expect from the Avengers, plus a whole lot of new action and adventure to sink your teeth into. Age of Ultron was a powerhouse of a film from start to finish. Slick, stylish and also full of substance - to me this has certainly replaced its original predecessor as the jewel in the Avengers' film canon. 

As I say, all the band came back. In a way, the character development (of which there was plenty) was done in a uniquely pleasing way as the core of these characters that we know and love did not change that much, thus giving us a good grounding from which to appreciate them anew. Yet a lot was added and built up layer on layer, sometimes subtly and sometimes not so, in order to give audiences plenty of fresh feelings when observing each scene as it played out.

And its not just the regulars you expected either to make a return appearance; when I say they all came back, they really did ALL come back. I was greatly surprised but also greatly pleased that the producers had taken the time to reference and often include in the storyline individuals from the Iron Man, Captain America and Thor universes - thus going one step more in proving that the Marvel world is an epic, superb, multi-branching one full of overlapping stories and personas - and that was a delight to watch. There are a great many character highlights for me in this film, a few include the irrepressible Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, who I personally thought had given all he could give in his numerous past appearences but once again I jumped for joy at seeing the great man back and doing what he does best. Stark's nemesis, and that of the Avengers, is of course Ultron himself, voiced by James Spader. Perfect, totally perfect casting is all I am saying without giving too much away. 

In terms of character development, though much was emphasized on that of Hawkeye, it was that of the Hulk and Black Widow pairing which really perked my interest. The biggest thrill in terms of new characters for me (closely followed by the divine Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch) was the superb Paul Bettany who not only returned as the staple J.A.R.V.I.S but who was also given the opportunity to appear in the (purple) flesh as The Vision. Again this was a perfect move as, not only do we get a massively iconic character shift, but for the latter half of the film Bettany shines as Vision, adding yet another whole new dynamic to the Avengers roster.

The Avengers well and truly burst back onto our screens with this one, so much so that I cannot really do the film much justice here. All I will say is that, whether you are a Marvelite or not, this film will be everything you were expecting and more. Action, adventure and also heaps of emotion - all wrapped up and stunningly presented for all to enjoy. This is a fantastic culmination of this film series so far, and a very exciting precursor to what is surely to come.

All that is left to say (and I make no apology for this!) is - Avengers Assemble and MAKE MINE MARVEL!

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Without wishing to resort to puns, I really am surprised this Transformers franchise has made it to four films without becoming extinct itself. I felt a trilogy was rather good going, as a concept which didn't start out as that mind-blowing, though it did start out as fun and visually intriguing, seemed to rapidly deteriorate as time went on.

Age of Extinction is a clear attempt at a reboot whilst trying to keep numerous core elements intact. On the face of it, you might just make it to the end thinking that has achieved, just. However look a little closer and one finds that various elements of this film, old and new, are not nearly clear cut and well executed enough to put the Transformers legacy in a strong place.

First up we have some major casting alterations for all to see. Shia LaBeouf is gone - hallelujah! Though the Transformers films are clearly what LaBeouf is most famous for, and I would not have blamed producers for giving him another shot I am surely glad they did not. His character was the most grating, idiotic, brash and loud element of the whole first three films (which in the case of the latter two is saying something!) and replacing him, and his supporting cast with that of Mark Wahlberg fourth time around is definitely a good move.

Whilst there isn't much in the way of subtlety about Wahlberg's performance, he definitely carries off the action hero well (just about balancing that with the "distraught/tough single dad" vibe). Though this film seems to be wanting to come from a more desperate place emotionally, Wahlberg does not seem to be that convincing in this area - funny and bad-ass yes, emotive no. He may have enough acting ability to carry off the lead and interplay with Autobots better than LaBeouf, but surely that is not saying very much! 

His supporting family cast is refreshing in its novelty, the individuals involved don't make that much of an impression. Nicola Peltz ticks the "hot teenage female" box that was first established in these films by Megan Fox, but in terms of portraying the rebellious daughter in a crazy world; the attempt is there but the substance is not. Add to that "the hated boyfriend" played by Jack Reynor (whose Irish accent is sickeningly sporadic and unconvincing, aka 'shite') and quite a few human elements of this film are falling fast.

Another human newbie to the cast is villain Kelsey Grammar. This high profile name looked promising, but sadly Grammar's twitchy, trigger happy lunatic does not do much to add to any form of conflict in the film. Though I will say the great man's melodic voice is used well.

One shining beacon of hope in the new human cast comes in the form of the great Stanley Tucci. His role as billionaire Joshua Joyce is not subtle by any means, but Tucci delivers with just the right combination of humour, passion, charm and gravitas that make him a steady rudder through the mire of poor acting that punctuates this film. 

In terms of the Transformers themselves, the only major constants are Bumblebee, and Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime. Whilst these faces are fun and familiar, and very welcome, they struggle to make a mark (despite some extensive re-modelling and great lines) in an ever-changing cast of glittering robots. Though one new inspired addition is the foul-mouthed John Goodman as Autobot Hound.

OK, I admit the child in me always loves these films. Yet I do feel that the franchise is rapidly running out of steam and cannot afford to release such disappointing and dragging clangers as Age of Extinction; not if it wants to survive.  

Poldark

Yet another BBC One drama that is new to our screens. Yet another drama based on a literary classic. Yet another drama to be well received. And yet another occasion that this writer agrees entirely - a deserving hit it has been.

Poldark, a partial revival of the 1975 series of the same name and a modern TV adaptation of Winston Graham's tales, to me initially sounded like an intriguing premise, but as the series went on with breathtaking place yet still with intrinsic power and character, this slow burner eventually became a powerhouse of a drama that delivered week on week.

A clearly Cornish drama, based on Cornish material, the stunning and picturesque backdrop and scenery was a superb supporting character from minute one. You can tell those behind the lens had a penchant for the beautiful landscape that covers Cornwall; and knew how to use it to full advantage. Granted the shots of Cornish sunsets and coastlines did get a tad repetitive, but certainly not in a negative way, and by the end of the series Cornwall had definitely become one of the Poldark family - one that the other cast of characters could clearly enjoy, utilize and thrive in. 

The characters - firstly I suppose we must start with Poldark himself; i.e. Aidan Turner. Fresh from being among a company of dwarves in the Hobbit films, Turner has well and truly established his leading man qualities as Ross Poldark. However I did not find this to be an immediate or terribly apparent phenomenon from the off. No, I feel Turner goes on a developing journey just like his character in this series. Poldark is obviously heroic in several senses of the word, and Turner himself is capable of captivating that heroism with just the right among of magnetism. In the first few episodes however, I found the character of Poldark to be a tad too arrogant, and to self assured in all he did, and so too the actor who played him. In the case of the character - this I am sure was deliberate and in the end it only added depth to this multi-layered persona. In the case of the actor, deliberate or not it was noticeable, and again in the end I think it made his performance that bit more watchable, yet it may have ever so slightly tarred what could have otherwise been a classic heroic figure. On the other hand, perhaps an overall flawed but no less heroic leading man is just what Poldark called for.

Opposite Turner's Poldark is the character of Demelza, played by the deliciously serene Eleanor Tomlinson. Whilst Poldark's journey may be more subtle, Demelza's is quite radical but no less moving. Eleanor Tomlinson carries a unique blend of sass, fire, beauty, vulnerability and innocence that is quite remarkable, and she does this throughout - whatever the script has to throw at Demelza. What's more, the chemistry between the leading two, whilst again perhaps being a slow burner, is still captivating to watch at its fruition. Theirs is not your average build up love story either; there is tension, passion and testing events in equal measure - in my view, broadly speaking a great screen pairing.

There is also quite a little ensemble developing within the Poldark cast aside from the main leads. First and foremost we must mention the now sadly departed legend that was Warren Clarke - whose last role was the gruff, commanding yet endearing Charles Poldark. He was great on screen, and his character's death was made all the more poignant by that of the great man himself. His on screen son Francis is played by relative unknown Kyle Soller. His character and performance is ever so slightly eclipsed by those around him, but the character still resonates with his own journey which is full of emotional depth. Heida Reed plays Elizabeth, Poldark's former love and Francis' wife. Whilst I do think the writer has missed a trick with an obviously powerful love triangle here, the moments of this are good to watch. The character herself shies away slightly as time goes on, thus so does the actress, but her presence is powerful enough to be felt. Jack Farthing (of Blandings fame) is a master as layered and deep 'villain' of the piece George Warleggan. Again his is a case of a great performance masterfully entwined with that of his fellows.

Elsewhere Ruby Bentall is adorabley watchable as Verity, Phil Davis and Beatie Edney give a superb touch of comedy and working class struggle to proceedings, and Luke Norris is a stalwart contemporary to Ross Poldark as Dr. Ennis.

Truly, the characters, cast, pace, dialogue, plot, scenery and score are all just perfectly flawed enough to make Poldark a great series. After a wary start, it often did not feel like an opening gambit in terms of programme making. It has clearly captured the nation, and I for one hope Poldark will deliver on its already dramatic and nail-biting cliff hanger into the eagerly awaited series 2.