Superhero

If you're talking comic book blockbusters, you can go all the way back to 1978's Superman starring Christopher Reeve. We recommend you do, in fact. That one's a classic.

Even still, the superhero movie has recently come into its own with the rise of the MCU (that's Marvel Cinematic Universe for those of you not in the know). Specifically, these are movies based on Marvel titles like Iron Man, Captain America, The Avengers, even Guardians of the Galaxy. (Yes, DC comics has their own movies with superheroes like Batman, but for the most part they don't stack up to the Marvel offerings. Suicide Squad? No thank you.)

Starting with the first Iron Man in 2008, Marvel launched three phases of intertwined tales, with Avengers: Age of Ultron coming in phase two. And it's a film that lives up to its lineage. Flying powers, super-speed, super-strength, capes, tight-fitting uniforms, you name it—we're safely in superhero territory with this film.

Science Fiction

As well as being a superhero movie, Avengers: Age of Ultron is a story about a rogue Artificial Intelligence that a) becomes self-aware, b) becomes independent from humanity, then c) decides to wipe out human beings for their own good and start all over again. This blending of technology-based speculation with social commentary is the work of science fiction, gang. The best science fiction, no matter how far-fetched it might seem, is really holding up a mirror to our society. So, what might the sci fi elements of this movie have to say about what's going on in this day and age? Check out "Themes: Technology and Modernization" for more.

Action

Here's a fun, and impossible, game to play if you're super-bored: watch Avengers: Age of Ultron and try to keep a running tally of the dollars it would cost to repair all the damage done in this movie. The scene where Iron Man takes on the Hulk in the Hulkbuster suit would by itself put us into the mega-millions. From guns and knives to extra-terrestrial lasers and divine lightning, this movie puts weaponry and fight scenes on full display, mainly to the detriment of those Iron Legion droids that Ultron drafts into his army. Ask any of them if they think this is an action movie, and you'll get, well, no reply at all. The Avengers already smashed them to teensy bits during one of the many elaborate and CGI-heavy action sequences in this film.