When we once again meet our beloved Avengers, they are already assembled and stalwartly storming the hideaway of baddie Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. The item they seek: Loki’s scepter, the beholder of one of the six Infinity Stones (the fourth if you’re counting). The introduction of the heroes takes us on a rollercoaster ride through the gang’s first operation, swooping, swirling and soaring over each Avenger’s individual battle, as fists connect with faces and Hulk goes SMASH. The camera whizzes left and cuts hard right showing us that, well, they’ve still got it. When the Avengers finally join together in the same frame in an exquisite slow-mo shot, the length of your Cheshire Cat grin will expose how much of a geek you really are.

Joss Whedon’s Avengers: Age of Ulton is big. Actually, to say that is like calling the Statue of Liberty “tall” or the Sahara Desert “warm.” The movie is a monstrous undertaking that clarifies the utter exhaustion Whedon has expressed in nearly every single interview he’s given these last few weeks. To make a movie larger than the first Avengers, and make it more cohesive, with higher stakes, more action, and balancing screen time for all 37 or whatever characters is a huge undertaking, once again proving the adage that without risk, there is no reward. Whedon took a mammoth risk, and the result of his sweat equity is our reward to collect.

Within Loki’s scepter lies the answer to Tony Stark’s global defense program that he calls “Ultron,” voiced by the inimitable James Spader. Stark lures Bruce Banner into helping him work on this artificial intelligence system that obviously backfires and later wants to eradicate humanity in order to save Earth (yep, sounds like a Marvel villain). Ultron then collects twins Pietro and Wanda Maximoff (AKA Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch) to help him, thanks to a vendetta the two have against Stark and his arms manufacturing that led to the death of their parents. Special magic thingie? Check. Artificial intelligence infused in an evil robot? Check. Creepycool minons…voila! We have a Marvel sequel!

The dynamite vocal performance of Spader cannot be understated. His icy delivery gives Ultron an edge that no other could have provided. It’s because of Spader that Ultron is such a successful character and robotic desperado. He says things with conviction, with a layer of wisdom painted over his insanity, and it’s a hell of a ride watching him destroy the Avengers’ world, wondering how on Earth (literally, figuratively, etc.) they’re going to keep up. Always a step ahead, Spader’s fervor would almost convince us that Ultron could win this thing if Marvel hadn’t already announced a slew of sequels lined up for the next bajillion years.

Whedon’s Whedonesque qualities are out in full force this round. He makes good for the lack of Hawkeye in the first, writing Jeremy Renner some lines that are real doozies. He kickstarts a romantic relationship between Natasha (Black Widow) and Bruce (The Hulk), making this reviewer wonder throughout if we were being set up for another devastating heartbreak (TARA! WASH! NEVER FORGET!) Like in every other one of his works, the director’s humor and voice are in full effect, and his entourage of actors have serious comedic chops, acing the timing of even the Whedon-iest of sarcastic blips, sharp-as-nails jokes, and off-kilter reactions. The creative team involved is just as strong as the one we’re rooting for on screen.

Let’s acknowledge the negatives. If you’re a Rotten Tomatoes junkie like I am, you’ve certainly read the most uniform gripe: there’s too much action and it could’ve been condensed. I disagree completely. Never does the action overtake or replace characterization, interpersonal dynamics or story development, and never does the film drag on too long. This gripe is mostly naysayers naysaying a sequel for being a sequel. I will say that some of the scenes were perhaps a little too busy, but hey – more details to pick up on for future rewatchings!

My main con: as any Whedon fan of almost 20 years knows, Joss likes big moments. He understands that the tragic losses one suffers propel his characters forward, adding stripes to their belts and toughening their skin. The fan in me was waiting for some huge, life-altering moment for one of our superheroes, and although something substantial does happen (no spoilers), it wasn’t as impactful as I craved it to be. Why? Because Marvel has to approve decisions like that.

I enjoy Joss best when he’s the man in charge, wheeling, dealing, and killing as he sees fit. Having such an elaborate plan laid out for future films really prevents directors from grabbing the bull by the horns, and when characters’ futures are already pre-destined (and actors already contracted for more movies), it takes a lot of the suspense and tension away from what should be edge-of-your-seat battle scenes. This is where the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) starts to feel a little same-y, and it is, indeed, a fair assessment shared by many on the Web. In this ‘verse, despite being hella entertaining, the “stakes” have become more or less moot. Captain America and Thor need to make it to their three-quels, people! It’s simply too safe. But damn it all to hell, it’s fun!

The summer movie season is here, and if you’re a Marvel fan, a Whedon fan, or even just a casual blockbuster fan, Age of Ultron is not going to disappoint. The action and humor are razor sharp and tight, while the special effects look and feel larger than life itself. It’s a movie that demands to be seen on the big screen, and one that reminds us of just how far Whedon has come since his super low-budget pilot about a girl conquering demons, the world’s and her own. Both Avengers films have worked to raise the bar for superhero films, both in general and in the MCU, and going forward, Whedon’s contributions will never be forgotten.

Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Sunnydale anymore.

Grade: A-