"Avengers: The Age Of Ultron" succeeds on multiple levels, despite a title that sounds like an ad slogan for a new household cleaning product.

"Avengers: Ultron" has its share of kitsch, in dialogue, characterization, editing and visuals. And yet the spoofing around isn't hit or myth. If anything, it enhances the Marvel Cinematic Universe superheroes.Director Joss Whedon, who directed "The Avengers" (2012) and wrote the screenplay for both (based on comic book characters created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby), puts an ungainly number of superheroes (supposedly, Whedon wanted more, including Spider-Man and Captain Marvel, but studios' rights negotiations couldn't be resolved) on the screen, yet manages to give each their time to strike in the conflict spotlight, while also giving what seems like equal time in dialogue and character development."Avengers: Ultron" has a Shakespearean tone in the appearances of the godlike superheroes, their interaction and their dialogue. Whedon manages to have it both ways: "Avengers: Ultron" is simultaneously an incredibly intense action-packed science fiction thriller and a rumination on the nature of power, loyalty and the "can-do" belief in overcoming.The Shakespeare connection shouldn't be surprising. Whedon wrote and directed a version of the Bard's "Much Ado About Nothing" (2012) in black and white in his backyard.The dialogue in "Avengers" Ultron" is English-American Literature major smart.Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) says, "It's been a really long day ... like, Eugene O'Neill long," a reference to O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey Into Night" play.Ultron (voiced by James Spader) is asked, "What's the vibranium for?" Ultron, responds, "I'm glad you asked that because I wanted to take this time to explain my evil plan."Ultron, initially a bodiless entity, sings the lyrics to "I've Got No Strings" from "Pinocchio" (1940).More than this, "Avengers: Ultron" is a consummate cinematic achievement. It's simply one of the best, if not the best, comic book superheroes-to-the-big-screen movies ever. This is not only because of its gargantuan proportions. It is huge in every cinematic way imaginable. The main action set pieces (five, by my count), special effects, and computer-generated imagery are stupendous.Simply put: The film works. Complicated as it is, it would bear a second viewing. "Avengers: Ultron" was seen in Imax 3D for this review. It's worth the premium for the fan boys and girls.Let's not forget the all-star cast.Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man-Tony Stark), as a fast-talker with speed-bump pauses for hesitation intonation, is the epitome of snarky. Absent is Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). Instead, Stark has an Artificial Intelligent assistant he dubs Friday, an allusion to the film classic, "His Girl Friday" (1940).Chris Hemsworth (Thor) gets the trophy as the real superhero. The 6 foot 2 inch guy has biceps the size of your thighs. Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk-Bruce Banner) has some nice moments as Banner, making us empathize with his monster alter-ego. Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow-Natasha Romanoff) sparks some emotions with Banner.Chris Evans (Captain America-Steve Rogers) is clench-jawed forthright. Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye-Clint Barton) is a, ahem, straight arrow, with nary a smile. James Spader (Ultron) is chillingly normal.Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) has what is not much more than a cameo, but, as usual, he commandeers your memory cells.Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Quicksilver-Pietro Maximoff) and Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch-Wanda Maximoff) create quite the sibling rivalry. Paul Bettany (The Vision-Jarvis) is his usual other-worldly self.Making brief appearances are Don Cheadle (War Machine), Anthony Mackie (Falcon), Cobie Smulders (Maria Hill), Hayley Atwell (Peggy Carter), Stellan Skarsgård (Erik Selvig), Claudia Kim (Dr. Helen Cho), Linda Cardellini (Laura Barton), Thomas Kretschmann (Strucker), Andy Serkis (Ulysses Klaue) and Julie Delpy (Madame B).The Marvel Universe is expanding. Preceding "Avengers: Ultron" were: "Iron Man" (2008), "Iron Man 2" (2010), "Thor" (2011), "Captain America: The First Avenger" (2011), "The Avengers" (2012), "Agents of

S.H.I.E.L.D." (2013 TV series), "Iron Man 3" (2013), "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014) and "Guardians Of The Galaxy" (2014).Upcoming are: "Ant-Man" (2015), "Captain America: Civil War" (2016), "Doctor Strange" (2016), "Guardians Of The Galaxy 2" (2017), "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017), "Avengers: Infinity War Part I" (2018) and "Avengers Infinity War Part II" (2019).The hierarchy, storyline, psychology and motivation of the characters and the minutiae of the MCU is mind-boggling.You may need a degree from MCU. It's a "Marvel Cinematic Universe." We just watch."Avengers: The Age Of Ultron," MPAA Rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for intense sequences of sci-fi action, violence and destruction, and for some suggestive comments; Genre: Action, Adventure, Science-Fiction; Run Time: 2 hrs., 21 min.; Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.Credit Readers Anonymous: Marvel Comics "Iron Man," etc. creator Stan Lee has a cameo early on in "Avengers: The Age Of Ultron," as a World War II veteran. Location shooting included England, Italy, South Africa and Korea. There's a mid-end credits teaser scene with Thanos (Josh Brolin).Box Office, May 8: "Avengers: Age Of Ultron" kept the Marvel Cinematic Universe intact, staying at No. 1 two weeks straight with $77.2 million, $312.5 million, two weeks, keeping Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara in "Hot Pursuit" in not so hot pursuit, opening way back at No. 2, with only $13.3 million.3. "The Age Of Adaline," $5.6 million, $31.5 million, three weeks; 4. "Furious 7," $5.2 million, $338.4 million, six weeks; 5. "Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2," $5.1 million, $58 million, four weeks; 6. "Ex Machina," $3.4 million, $15.7 million, five weeks; 7. "Home," $3 million, $162.1 million, seven weeks; 8. "Woman In Gold," $1.6 million, $26.9 million, six weeks; 9. "Cinderella," $1.5 million, $196.1 million, nine weeks; 10. "Unfriended," $1.4 million, $30.9 million, four weeks;Unreel, May 15:"Mad Max; Fury Road," R: George Miller is back to direct. Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult and Zoe Kravitz star. The action is fast and furious."Pitch Perfect 2," PG-13: Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld and Brittany Snow star in the musical comedy. The Barden Bellas are back. Elizabeth Banks directs."Good Kill," R: A drone operator faces a crisis of confidence. Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoe Kravitz and Bruce Greenwood star in the drama.Read Paul Willistein's movie reviews at the Lehigh Valley Press website, thelehighvalley-press.com; the Times News website, tnonline.com; and hear them on "Lehigh Valley Art Salon," 6 6:30 p.m. Mondays, WDIY 88.1 FM, wdiy.org, where the movie reviews are archived. Email Paul Willistein: pwillistein@ tnonline. com. Follow Paul Willistein on Twitter @ PaulWillistein and friend Paul Willistein on Facebook.Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes