There’s a Marvel film out there that didn’t receive the craze it deserved and we need to talk about it—Avengers: Age of Ultron. Now, I know what you’re thinking: the craze went to the more relevant and deserving films that concluded the sequel, which was Infinity War and Endgame. These two films are iconic, but Age of Ultron has brilliant aspects that deserve to be seen on the big screen. So, If you’re thinking about brushing it aside, let me try to persuade you to give it a fair shot.

First things first, Age of Ultron is an essential piece in the Marvel Comics Universe. It may not be an epic finale like Endgame, but it introduces crucial elements such as new characters and story arcs. Without this movie, we wouldn’t have the supreme Scarlett Witch (aka Wanda Maximoff) or her love interest, Vision—two characters who are prevalent in the MCU. Remember when Scarlett Witch became a huge talking point in the Marvel fanbase? None of that hits as hard without the introduction of her character in Age of Ultron. Plus, we get bits and pieces of Tony Stark’s obsession with protecting the world in this movie. Everything Tony goes through following Age of Ultron, especially leading into his next movie: Civil War, is tied to the events of this film.

Some fans don’t appreciate how chaotic the film is. Sure, a lot is happening, but that’s what makes the film entertaining to watch. It is an Avengers movie after all. You have a lot of moving pieces such as Ultron as a villain, Tony Stark’s guilt, Thor’s visions, the introduction of new heroes, and even Hawkeye’s surprisingly wholesome home life. If you look at it this way, this film does a lot of the heavy lifting and sets up future MCU projects like Civil War, Thor: Ragnarok, and Infinity War. It’s well-thought-out, and while it’s a lot to digest in one sitting, that’s exactly why every re-watch is worth it.

Some fans have an issue with the villain in the film. They believe Ultron isn’t intimidating enough and doesn’t match the criteria of an Avenger villain like Loki or Thanos. Ultron can be just as good or even better, depending on how you view him. Ultron isn’t just another artificial intelligence trying to destroy humanity. He’s Tony Stark’s worst nightmare manifested in front of him. He’s a reflection of Tony’s arrogance and his fear that, no matter how hard the Avengers try, they’ll never be able to protect the world. Especially in today’s world, there’s something super relevant—and even terrifying—about Ultron’s philosophical outlook on life. He genuinely believes that wiping out humanity and having an only-metal world are the only ways to achieve peace. And honestly, James Spader’s voice acting was super convincing, both charismatic and creepy. Watching it in the theater with the sound booming in your ears while listening to Ultron’s menacing speeches is the way to go.

Let’s dive into the opening scene of Age of Ultron and how it reflects the magic in comic books. The beautiful snowy scene was set at the Hydra base. The Avengers fighting as a team, and moving together while simultaneously using their powers makes you feel like you’re reading a panel straight out of a graphic novel. This beautifully mirrors the final battle in Sokovia. There’s pressure to succeed, the team dynamics are on point, and both are visually appealing, making you feel like you’re warped into their reality, especially if you see it on the big screen. Also, speaking of visually appealing, there are a lot of stunning scenes in this film. Watching Quicksilver’s speed, Scarlett Witch’s reality-warping powers and the Hulkbuster fight were on-point. Tony Stark’s suit up in an iconic piece of engineering to fight the Hulk is exactly the kind of larger-than-life, jaw-dropping moment that’s meant for the theater.

If you love heartfelt character moments, this movie has a lot of them. Sure, the action is great, but what makes this movie shine are the quiet, personal moments between the Avengers. For example, Natasha Romanoff and Bruce Banner’s relationship kickstarts in this movie. If you appreciate romance, then you’ll appreciate their intimate and personal moments together on screen. Their surprising relationship gives us an unexpected emotional side of both of them. Their complicated dynamic, with Nat seeing Bruce beyond the Hulk and Bruce believing he’s too dangerous for love, adds a layer of vulnerability to two of the most powerful heroes. Also, you’ve got the infamous “Lift Mjolnir” scene where the team is just hanging out, teasing each other like regular friends. There’s Hawkeye, who finally gets some spotlight as we learn about his life off the battlefield. Then there’s Tony and Steve, whose growing tension hints at the conflict we know is coming in Civil War. Also, we receive a taste of Wanda and Pietro’s brother-sister bond that brings tears to your eyes by the end of the movie. These character dynamics are what makes Age of Ultron so good. The team is still working together, but you can feel the cracks starting to form, and it’s these moments that humanize these larger-than-life heroes.

If given another chance, watch Age of Ultron in the theater. Watching it on a tiny screen in your living room doesn’t do the movie justice. The loud, explosive battles, the intertwined team moments, the emotional depth—all hit differently when you’re sitting in a movie theater with surround sound and a screen that makes everything come to life. There’s a powerful energy that comes with watching Marvel movies in the theater that you can’t recreate at home, and Age of Ultron emits that energy.

So, if you dismissed Age of Ultron after its release or haven’t thought about it in a while, now is the time to revisit it. If you find yourself wanting to watch or re-watch the Avengers film series, don’t skip over this one. It gets better with age (pun intended), especially once you gain the knowledge that it sets up the MCU’s future. The movie isn’t just a filler—it’s a key chapter in the Avenger’s story, and seeing it on the big screen is the perfect way to appreciate everything this film has to offer. Grab your tickets, grab some popcorn, and prepare to see Age of Ultron in a wonderful and powerful new light!