Geek Culture
The bad parts of Age of Ultron
Age of Ultron has hit the cinemas and people are naturally going crazy for it. Whether it’s the high-octane action, the funny writing, the great acting or just being able to see your favourite characters hang out in a room together, there are many reasons to enjoy this movie. That’s why I’m going to be a massive contrarian and write about what I didn’t like about the film, thus drawing ire and hate from the masses. Naturally, spoilers abound for the film so watch out.
1. Vision shouldn’t have been advertised
I like Vision so when I found out he was going to show up, I got excited. But when he did appear, I couldn’t help but think how hyped I would have been if I didn’t know. His appearance was clearly presented as a surprise to the audience; a sudden new character born from Tony’s butler A.I. Jarvis to give them an advantage over Ultron. But instead of being surprised, the audience is just like “Oh here he is. I was wondering when he was going to show up.” You could argue it was to help with advertising the movie but… it’s an Avengers sequel. People were going to see it, with or without Vision. It’s a little thing but seeing a character you weren’t expecting appear on the big screen is a greater memory than being told that a character you weren’t expecting will appear on the big screen.
2. The Natasha/Bruce romance kind of came out of nowhere
There’s technically nothing wrong with the romance between these two characters. I mean, it’s certainly unique. I can’t recall a romantic relationship between these two characters ever being explored in the comics or other media. But it feels like it was very spur of the moment; like the writers came up with it during the writing process and loved it so much that they put it in despite the lack of build-up. In the last movie, Natasha was the one sent to find and bring Bruce to S.H.I.E.L.D so he could join the Avengers but is that enough foundation for a romance to start up? It didn’t seem like it.
3. Where DID Nick Fury get that Helicarrier?
At this point, Nick Fury is considered dead, with only a select few knowing that he’s still alive. He’s no longer in charge of S.H.I.E.L.D and seems to be pretty much bumming around, occasionally popping in to inspire the heroes. So where did he find that Helicarrier for the finale? S.H.I.E.L.D was kind of left in a funny place after the events of The Winter Soldier; they still had some good tech afterwards but a Helicarrier?And even if they did have it, how did Fury get it? Unless Fury himself kept one stowed away somewhere but how do you hide something like that? This is a point that’s left a lot of people very confused and for a good reason.
4. Quicksilver’s death was kind of pointless
While the Quicksilver of Days of Future Past was ten times better, I didn’t mind this film’s iteration of the character. He was likable enough and his acting was good. So why did he die? True, he went out like a hero (which is the best way to go out) but his death felt like a contractual obligation, as if the writers were told that they had to kill off at least one of the main heroes so they picked the one that didn’t have his own movie franchise and hadn’t been around long enough to cause too much anger. It’s possible that his death will greatly affect Scarlet Witch in the future movies but if that was the reason, it’s a pretty poor one. Creating a character for the sole purpose of killing them in order to affect another means that the character isn’t a character; they’re a prop. And that’s insulting to both the character and their fans.
5. Ultron didn’t feel like Ultron
This is going to get me so much hate. James Spader was brilliant. I loved his performance, I enjoyed Ultron’s presence and he had some great lines… but he didn’t feel like Ultron to me. Ultron is a cold, calculating machine. He isn’t effected or dictated by emotions because he has none. He tries to wipe out the human race because he genuinely believes that to be the best course of action for world peace (which is what he was programmed for.) The Ultron in this movie does have emotions – he has a sense of humour, takes joy in dicking about with the Avengers, gets angry when compared to Tony, makes eloquent speeches; he even has a more human face as opposed to the blank, unmoving stare he has in the comics. It didn’t feel like he was trying to wipe out humanity out of a warped sense of following his program but because he was a supervillain and that’s what supervillains do. Granted, a soulless Ultron that was a direct lift from the comics probably wouldn’t have been as fun to watch for the general audience or hold a movie that runs over two hours, but it meant that I didn’t feel like I was watching Age of Ultron; it was Age of some other Ultron.
6. It felt like filler
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What was so great about the first Avengers film was that it was a culmination of all the Marvel films that came before it. It was the result of all that build-up while at the same time setting the stage for future events. This film, though, wasn’t like that. It was more of its own standalone thing, which is a good thing in a sense since it means you don’t need to watch five other films to enjoy it, but it didn’t have the ‘grand finale’ feel of the first Avengers. Instead, it ends up joining all the other films as just more build-up for the Infinity War; it’s just a filler arc to keep us entertained until we get to the big one. By the time Thanos does show up, though, I’ll probably be less “Oh my God, he’s here! We’re all doomed” and more “About freaking time. What kept you? Was traffic bad?” With some rewriting, Age of Ultron could probably have been a TV movie or even a TV series and have the same effect. It’s not the final chapter of Phase 2. It’s that awkward bit before a mid-season hiatus that tries to be grander than it really is.
Gaming
Gran Turismo 7 Update 1.46 introduces an exciting addition to the roster of exclusive cars available in the PS5 and PS4 racing game
Gran Turismo 7 has just received an exciting update to version 1.46 on both PS5 and PS4. This latest update introduces a unique addition to the game: the Škoda Vision Gran Turismo, a car that you won’t come across in any other game. Škoda makes its debut in the franchise with a visionary study of a single-seater, all-electric racing concept car, designed exclusively for the Polyphony Digital racer.
Once you’ve downloaded update 1.46, you’ll have the opportunity to test drive not one but two additional cars: the AFEELA Prototype 2024 and the iconic Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 Sport Coupe ’70. Get ready for an exhilarating ride! Watch as they take to the track in the video above.
Additionally, the update introduces a new menu for players to tackle in the GT Café. At Collector Level 38, players have the opportunity to delve into the fascinating world of Ferrari 12-cylinder engines, gaining knowledge and expanding their collection. In World Circuits, players can look forward to exciting new events such as the Japanese Clubman Cup 550, the American FR Challenge 550, and the Vision Gran Turismo Trophy. For all the avid fans of Photo Mode, there’s an exciting opportunity to explore the captivating city of San Diego in a brand new Scape.
What are your thoughts on the latest update for Gran Turismo 7? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
Gaming
ReFantazio Takes a Different Approach to Romance, Setting Itself Apart from the Persona Games
Atlus’ highly anticipated RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio, appears to incorporate familiar systems reminiscent of the developer’s acclaimed Persona series. The game features turn-based battles that heavily rely on exploiting enemy weaknesses. Additionally, players have the ability to summon warrior spirits during combat. However, the most significant aspect of this game, which will be discussed in this article, is the bonding system. Through this system, players can spend time with important characters and gain deeper insights into their personalities and stories.
In contrast to the Persona games, the bonding system ends at that point. Unfortunately, players will be unable to pursue romantic relationships with their beloved waifus, which may come as a disappointment to those who have developed strong feelings for Hulkenberg, the party’s charismatic red-haired elven knight.
According to Siliconera, the absence of romance came up during a recent question and answer session. Atlus emphasized the continued opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with your allies while also introducing additional narratives through substories. In addition, familiarizing yourself with the supporting characters will grant you access to new archetypes, which serve as the game’s character classes.
In the Persona games, romance is not obligatory; rather, it serves as a means to customize your playthrough. However, it is quite unexpected that Metaphor has chosen not to pursue such a venture, considering the significant amount of discussion it typically generates!
Were you anticipating any romantic elements in Metaphor? If you’re not satisfied with your pre-order, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Gaming
Shift Up unveils the intriguing details behind the physical packaging of Stellar Blade for the PS5
It appears that many
are eagerly anticipating the launch of the highly anticipated PS5 exclusive, Stellar Blade. Shift Up, the developer, has shared a lengthy video showcasing the “secrets” found in the physical box of the game for PS5. From what we can gather, these secrets include a reversible cover/dust jacket and a download code for cosmetic items.
We must clarify that while we do appreciate the variant cover, it may be more appealing than the game’s standard art. However, it is not something we would typically classify as a “secret.”. However, what’s interesting is that Shift Up has confirmed through the comments section that this will be the case in all regions. Additionally, the visually striking action RPG will remain uncensored worldwide.
「Stellar Blade」 Physical Package Secrets⚠️#StellarBlade #PS5 #Disc pic.twitter.com/WQSzKUSDQ4
— StellarBlade (@StellarBlade) April 22, 2024
It’s refreshing to witness a developer going the extra mile for physical collectors, and it’s evident that the developer is determined to leave a favorable mark in the console realm. Stellar Blade is set to make its highly anticipated debut this Friday, April 26th, exclusively on the PS5.
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