After the first movie made all my comic reading dreams come true on film I went into this with somewhat reduced expectations, because I just couldn't imagine it topping the original. And of course it doesn't. But: at least it's equally amazing.

While it's skipping a potentially interesting part of "how do they all come back together?" in favor of going all in medias res instead, the first few action scenes are so over the top you end up being a little confused. Thankfully, the film soon after finds its footing in the scenes of the aftermath. Again, it is juggling its ever-increasing amount of personnel so perfectly, this time focusing on some who got the short end of the stick the first time around. And the greatest news is: all the trademarks that made the original such a pleasure are back.

Again there is hilarious banter and the Tony snark. Similar to what I said three years ago, it is a great sign when you don't mind slow character-driven scenes because the characters just work and it's fun to see them interact. Thankfully that goes for the new additions too. Just like the first film finally got the Hulk right, it immediately nails Vision, also thanks to the amazing Paul Bettany.
One also had to fear.that a robot villain would not cause the same emotional response Loki did, but Ultron has some of the film's best lines, James Spader's voice acting is excellent.

Again there are a handful of really great laughs leading to spontaneous applause, the best of which is preceded by a scene that made the whole theater gasp in surprise.

There were some aspects I liked better than in the first film, also a few I liked less, but overall Marvel managed to keep up an exceptionally high level of entertainment. Best example may be the showdown: it's basically just a variation of the first, but still always feels fun and exciting, as if you ordered your favorite dish at a beloved restaurant again: lazy, yet comforting and delicious.

More importantly Marvel is expanding its universe once again, all minor characters from former installments have their place here and them showing up adds to the depth and connection of everything down to the TV shows and future additions. That just feels wonderful. One can't help but be excited about what is yet to come, even if the film ends with a pretty fresh and different roster of (New) Avengers already.

9.5 out of 10 Veronicas.