Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

Almost immediately after the creation of the first DVD inspired by the Marvel Comic series of the same name, Ultimate Avengers 2 began production. In this new movie, the enemy is the same, but the locale is very different and the stakes are higher than before. The Avengers team is still together (minus the incarcerated Dr. Bruce Banner) and a new hero is introduced, hailing from a land secluded from the rest of the world. The Black Panther joins the fight against the Chitauri after the opening scene, with T'Challa losing his father, T'Chaka, to an enemy he shares with Captain America. The Avengers quickly learn about the Chitauri's interest in Wakanda and ask to be allowed in Wakanda to eliminate Chitauri menace at all costs. The problem with Wakanda is that they refuse to have anyone- friend or foe- come within their gates.

Even with the imminent destruction of the planet, each hero still has personal issues to deal with. Giant Man, AKA Henry Pym continues to try pushing the upper limits of the Pym particles he uses to augment his size, while not thinking about anyone else but himself. Captain America can't let the nightmares of not defeating an old enemy go. In flashbacks, he recalls all the instances where he thought he had defeated this adversary, only to face him again. Black Widow shows concern for him, as does General Fury, but Cap is obsessed with that one villain who got away.

Iron Man, if you know about his origins, came to be because he had problems. For those who don't know, Tony Stark had a life altering accident that endangered his heart, which lead him to not only create a life support system for himself, but also the Iron Man armor. I don't know why a guy who has to recharge and replace the mechanism that keeps him alive drinks so much. Thor has issues as well, even though he is a God. He wants to be helpful to humanity despite words of disapproval from Odin.

Like Thor, T'Challa has eyes of disapproval cast on him. With Wakanda being an isolationist nation, the elders of Wakanda looked down upon T'Challa because of his schooling abroad. With his father deceased and Wakanda in need of leadership, this is his opportunity to take charge and claim his rightful place on the throne. The Ultimate version of Bruce Banner is the most tragic of all the heroes. Betty Ross isn't exactly head-over-heels in love with him, he looks like a malnourished creep- and then there's that whole Jade Giant thing. Bruce Banner has no way out of his prison, subjected to constant replays of Hulk flipping out in the first movie.

One thing I enjoyed over the first movie were the more mature themes. Death and violence are a given in a comic book movie such as this, and there is one scene in particular that was very graphic in my opinion, even though it is quick and it involves a non-human. Also, I'll stay away from spoilers, but there is something that profoundly affects the team by the movie's end.

You don't have to be a reader of marvel comics or the Ultimates line of comics to enjoy Ultimate Avengers 2. At the very least, you should see the first Ultimate Avengers DVD beforehand, even though the second movie stands on its own. The Ultimate Avengers movies are not as deep an experience as reading scores of the comic books on which they're based, but I was extremely impressed with this interpretation of some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Features include a DVD-rom extra, a "What character do you most resemble?" game, previews of other DVD releases, an Ultimates featurette and previews of new animated DVD titles Doctor Strange and Iron Man. Other trailers include volume one of the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series and the trailer for the first Ultimate Avengers DVD. A video game trailer is also included for the Ultimate Alliance, which is about the entire Ultimate Marvel universe of characters. It looks fantastic, and I'm sure it'll be at least as enjoyable as the X-Men Legends games.


Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older