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When it comes to world
domination, the likes of Loki,
Hydra and co. have nothing on
their creator Marvel. Although
there have been a few missteps
and misfires, the comic book
giant has enjoyed an astonishing
run of success since Marvel’s
grand cinematic plan began back
in 2008. Age of Ultron effectively
brings phase two to an end, and
while it doesn’t quite scale the
same dazzling heights of The Avengers, it serves both
as a fitting finale for the latest wave of Marvel movies
and a fine swansong for Joss Whedon, who is passing
the directorial reigns for the next two Avengers flicks
to Anthony and Joe Russo. Whedon deftly juggles the
spectacle and the personal – the changing dynamics
of the various superhero relationships is explored with
wit and sensitivity – as the Avengers come up against
a villain of largely their own making: instead of creating
the ultimate AI deterrent, Tony Stark inadvertently builds
a lethal super-robot (voiced with delicious menace
by James Spader) intent on the world’s destruction.
Awesome stuff – bring on phase three!
Sublime superheroes
AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON
Nowadays disaster movies
feature twisters, asteroids,
volcanoes, sharknadoes and
zombies – but a massive
earthquake creating onscreen
destruction hasn’t been seen
since the 1970s. San Andreas
resurrects tectonic terror for a
new generation, and features
some of the most convincing
sequences of toppling and
disintegrating buildings seen to date in the digital age;
for once it actually looks like bricks and mortar that are
crumbling from the shock of a 9.6 magnitude quake. It
also has Dwayne Johnson as the hero; definitely the
sort of guy you want around during a crisis like this
– he could shelter you from a toppling high-rise with
his body. As a helicopter rescue pilot, he’s perfectly
positioned to whisk his estranged wife (Carla Gugino)
and beautiful daughter (Alexandra Daddario) to safety,
when San Francisco sinks into the eponymous fault
line and the accompanying tsunami sweeps away all in
its path. Although more entertaining and less cringe-
worthy than a Roland Emmerich disaster movie, San
Andreas still comes with a liberal helping of corn. It’s
the movie equivalent of an amusement park ride, and
should be enjoyed with that in mind. If you’re looking
for depth, see it in 3D.
All shook up
SAN ANDREAS
DVD & BD
Global Adventure
BD ONLY
From The Inside Out - Making of
The Avengers: Age Of Ultron
The Infinite Six
Deleted & Extended Scenes
Gag Reel
Audio Commentary with Director
Joss Whedon
The Avengers
EXTRAS
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date: 16/09/15
Format:
DVD & BD
Deleted Scenes
BD ONLY
Dwayne Johnson to the Rescue
San Andreas: The Real Fault Line
Scoring the Quake
Gag Reel
Stunt Reel
Audio Commentary
2012
EXTRAS
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date: 30/09/15
Format: TOP
HITS
TOP
HITS
visit REVIEWS DVD&BD
Hulk has had a welcome upgrade
to his wardrobe: stretchy pants,
which he wears underneath
his clothes. No more will he be
caught half-naked after a Hulk-ing
out episode!
The Avengers Tower created by
designer Charles Wood and his
team is the largest set ever built
for a Marvel film.
DID YOU KNOW...
As a means of accurately
depicting the effects of the
earthquake, the producers
brought in top seismologists to
challenge the plausibility of the
script. After some analysis, the
experts unanimously agreed
that what happens on screen
could, in fact, happen in reality
with the combined force of a
major quake and a tsunami.
DID YOU KNOW...
40 SEPTEMBER 2015