3) Avengers: Age Of Ultron
Worldwide Box Office: $1.4 Billion (#4)
While some have dismissed Avengers: Age of Ultron as a disappointment following The Avengers, it’s hard to find all that many faults with it as a comic book fan. Joss Whedon went into this sequel juggling a lot of balls, but the movie worked, and he effortlessly handled the introductions of new characters like Ultron, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, while also shifting the existing ones to where they need to be for Marvel’s Phase 3.
If we’re talking about new characters, it is of course impossible not to mention The Vision. Paul Bettany stole the show as J.A.R.V.I.S. finally found himself a body, and while it wasn’t to the liking of some, the moment in which he lifts Mjolnir deserves to go down as one of the best in these movies to date. His final scene with his “father” Ultron was also magnificently handled by Whedon, a quiet finale in an otherwise very loud film.
While Avengers: Age of Ultron failed to surpass it predecessor either financially or critically, it was by far the best comic book adaptation of 2015, and a solid entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I mean, what kind of fan are you if you hate a movie which sees Captain America lift Mjolnir (well, sort of) and the Hulkbuster battling Hulk? Oh, and don’t even get me started on that “Avengers Assemble!” tease.
Well played, Joss!