Avengers: Age of Ultron (12A)

Director: Joss Whedon

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner

THE Dark Knight trilogy and the recent Man of Steel film have convinced us that contemporary comic book movies should be bleak and gritty.

But when we think of superheroes past and present there is an enduring perception that remains – that these cape and Lycra-clad vigilantes are here to rescue us.

This theme was somewhat lost in Man of Steel in which Superman and General Zod spent half the film battering each other while skyscrapers tumbled around them. So much for saving the day.

Even director Zack Snyder has admitted that the death toll in that scene would have soared into thousands.

The film seems to have made the Marvel Studios team behind The Avengers sequel stop and think.

Because throughout Age of Ultron there is consideration about collateral damage and impact the superheroes are having on the people they are there to protect.

This takes root in the plot in which a peacekeeping program called Ultron goes terribly wrong after Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is brainwashed.

Taking the definition of peace to another level, the diabolical artificial intelligence (voice brilliantly by James Spader) decides that the only way that humans can be protected from themselves is with a extinction level event.

This leads to a gripping finale which is bold even by comic book standards.

Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye embark on a typical good versus evil battle in a blaze of comic book colour and impressive multi-million dollar action sequences.

But the film also lays the groundwork for the next Captain America film, Civil War, which will see The Avengers torn apart when a superhero regulation act gets passed.

You can see the rumblings of that here with Captain America (Chris Evans) clashing with Iron Man over his blasé attitude to the risks of artificial intelligence ('I don't want to hear that 'man wasn't meant to meddle' medley').

Elsewhere it is business as usual in the Avengers' world.

Director Joss Whedon, who was also behind the camera for the previous Avengers film, works hard to give each hero their share of the spotlight.

The jaw-dropping opening sequence sees them storm a Hydra stronghold to reclaim Loki's Sceptre, source of much of the mischief in the first movie.

It is hugely impressive but some overenthusiastic editing means it is difficult to keep up with the action.

One of the best sequences is when Mark Ruffalo's The Hulk is brainwashed and battles Iron Man in his colossal 'Hulkbuster' armour. It is a sight to behold for any fan of the series.

With so much ground to cover and so many Avengers to do justice to, the plot does race along a bit too fast.

But you can tell Whedon cares about all the characters, both new and established.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen fit into the mix really well as Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch and Black Widow and The Hulk's romance is oddly compelling.

Particular attention is also given to develop Jeremy Renner's character Hawkeye, possibly with a view to giving him his own film.

And no Marvel – or Joss Whedon – film would be complete without its quips so you can expect plenty here amid the heroics.

RATING 7/10