<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Warner Bros." title_caption="Batman fans like to forget Halle Berry's version of Catwoman ever existed." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/554a794eecad044a6c531ecc-960/catwoman-halle-berry-1.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/554a794eecad044a6c531ecc-1200-924/catwoman-halle-berry-1.jpg" border="0" alt="catwoman halle berry" /></a><p class="source"><span>Warner Bros.</span></p><p class="caption">Batman fans like to forget Halle Berry's version of Catwoman ever existed.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Early this week an <a href="https://wikileaks.org/sony/emails/emailid/121981">email uncovered in the Sony email hack</a> between Sony Pictures chairman and CEO Michael Lynton and Marvel CEO Ike Perlmutter has been circulating around after it was published on <a href="http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/marvel-ceo-doesnt-believe-in-female-superheroes-20150504?utm_source=dlvr.it&amp;utm_medium=twitter">IndieWire</a>.</p><p>The August 2014 email, with the subject line "Female Movies," discusses previous failed attempts at female-led superhero films on screen.</p><p>Here's the email in full:</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">Michael,<br><br>As we discussed on the phone, below are just a few examples.  There are more.</br></br></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Thanks,</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">Ike<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">1.  Electra (Marvel) - Very bad idea and the end result was very, very bad. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=elektra.htm<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">2.  Catwoman (WB/DC) - Catwoman was one of the most important female character within the Batmanfranchise. This film was a disaster.  http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=catwoman.htm<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> </span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">3.   Supergirl - (DC) Supergirl was one of the most important female super hero in Superman franchise. This Movie came out in 1984 and did $14 million total domestic with opening weekend of $5.5 million. Again, another disaster.</p><p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span>Best, </span><br><span>Ike</span></br></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Numerous outlets covering the email appear to be taking the content - which is from one single email - out of context. Many articles</span> either accuse the Marvel CEO of <a href="http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/marvel-ceo-doesnt-believe-in-female-superheroes-20150504">not believing in female superhero movies</a> or suggest the Marvel head <a href="http://www.techtimes.com/articles/50919/20150505/leaked-marvel-ceo-email-lists-reasons-why-female-superhero-movies-are-a-bad-idea.htm">believes</a> <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/culture/2015/05/05/3654649/leaked-email-marvel-ceo-listicle-women-cant-superheroes/">they are</a> <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2015/05/marvel-ceo-not-so-hot-on-female-superhero-movies.html">a poor</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/05/sony-emails-female-superhero-movies_n_7212386.html">idea</a>. </span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Nowhere in this email does Perlmutter say he doesn't believe in superheroine-led films. Nor does it say he thinks female superhero movies are a bad idea.</span></p><p><span>All this email tells us is that two executives were discussing female-centric films that have performed poorly in the past. </span></p><p>That's just fact. No one (except maybe Universal who put out last year's "<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lucy.htm">Lucy</a>") has been able to make a successful standalone superheroine film yet. That doesn't mean it's impossible or that it can't be done.</p><p>And, suggesting that Marvel's Perlmutter is against them doesn't completely hold water.</p><p>Sure, fans have been <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/why-marvel-not-making-black-widow-movie-fans-campaign-more-superhero-films-after-captain-1716174">up in arms waiting for when (if) we would ever get a standalone Black Widow (starring Scarlet Johansson) film</a>, given the popularity of the superheroine. After the success of 2014's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" in which Widow was a lead character, <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Johansson successfully led Universal's "Lucy" last summer. The action picture, which saw the transformation of Johannson into a superpowered human became a huge hit made <a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lucy.htm">over $458 million worldwide</a>.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Just because there's no Black Widow movie in the works, doesn't mean Marvel doesn't value female characters. </span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Marvel president Kevin Feige has previously spoken about the potential of a female-led superhero film. Here's what he said to <a href="http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&amp;id=54522">Comic Book Resources in 2014</a>:</span></p><p style="padding-left: 30px;">"I very much believe in doing it. I very much believe that it's unfair to say, "People don't want to see movies with female heroes," then list five movies that were not very good, therefore, people didn't go to the movies because they weren't good movies, versus [because] they were female leads. And they don't mention "Hunger Games," "Frozen," "Divergent." You can go back to "Kill Bill" or "Aliens." These are all female-led movies. It can certainly be done."</p><p>For anyone suggesting Marvel doesn't believe in female-centric films, the studio announced a Captain Marvel film back in October for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/marvel-film-schedule-through-2018-2014-10">release in July 2018</a>. </p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Marvel" title_caption="Yes. Captain Marvel is a woman." class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5450059f6bb3f7c65da24ab7-960/captain-marvel-1.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5450059f6bb3f7c65da24ab7-940-529/captain-marvel-1.jpg" border="0" alt="captain marvel" style="color: #000000;" /></a><p class="source"><span>Marvel</span></p><p class="caption">Yes. Captain Marvel is a woman.</p></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The company wouldn't make a female-led film if it didn't believe it could work.</span></p><p>Is Marvel hesitant to make a female standalone film? Probably.</p><p>But who could blame the studio? <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Look at the track record for female standalone superhero films. </span></p><table border="0" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="10"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Movie</strong></td><td><strong>Opening Weekend</strong></td><td><strong>Worldwide Gross</strong></td><td><strong>Estimated Budget</strong></td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=sheena.htm">Sheena</a>" (1984)</td><td>$2.9 million</td><td>$5.8 million</td><td>n/a</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=supergirl.htm">Supergirl</a>" (1984)</td><td>$5.7 million</td><td>$14.3 million</td><td>n/a</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=redsonja.htm">Red Sonja</a>" (1985)</td><td>$2.3 million</td><td>$6.9 million</td><td>n/a</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=tankgirl.htm">Tank Girl</a>" (1995)</td><td>$2 million</td><td>$4 million</td><td>$25 million</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=catwoman.htm">Catwoman</a>" (2004)</td><td>$16.7 million</td><td>$82.1 million</td><td>$100 million</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=elektra.htm">Elektra</a>" (2005)</td><td>$12.8 million</td><td>$56.7 million</td><td>$43 million</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=aeonflux.htm">Aeon Flux</a>" (2005)</td><td>$12.7 million</td><td>$52.3 million</td><td>$62 million</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=kickass.htm">Kick-Ass</a>" (2010)</td><td>$19.8 million</td><td>$96.2 million</td><td>$30 million</td></tr><tr><td>"<a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=lucy.htm">Lucy</a>" (2014)</td><td>$43.9 million</td><td>$458.9 million</td><td>$40 million</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span>Other than "Lucy," which we'll categorize as a superhero film, it isn't pretty.</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em; color: #222222;">That's, at least, one reason Lynton and Perlmutter were most likely having the above conversation in the first place. </span></p><p>In order to make a successful superheroine film you need to know what didn't work in the past. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">That's most likely what was occurring here.</span></p><p>Business Insider has reached out to Perlmutter regarding the email. We will update this post if we hear back.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/marvel-legend-stan-lee-mistake-2014-6">This Was Marvel Legend Stan Lee's One Big Mistake</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="lzYXg1bjr9epa5ZDxnn_UFMFj2QioKSb" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'lzYXg1bjr9epa5ZDxnn_UFMFj2QioKSb',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

Everyone's blowing this leaked email from Marvel's CEO on female superheroes completely out of proportion

<p class="p1"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5536c22469bedd53150b40e8-1200-546/avengers-age-of-ultron-11.jpg" border="0" alt="avengers age of ultron" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><p class="source"><span>Marvel</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>There are minor spoilers below.</strong></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Avengers: Age of Ultron" is almost as good as "The Avengers," but not quite.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The sequel gets a lot of things right. It&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">expands on characters who weren't spotlighted last film, introduces a few new characters to the bunch, and delivers a lot of big action sequences.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Director Joss Whedon juggles that big cast masterfully, even if <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/avengers-age-of-ultron-nearly-broke-joss-whedon-2015-4">pulling it off&#xa0;almost broke him</a>.</span></p><p class="p1">However, the film feels a little formulaic. As in the first movie, "Age of Ultron" features a team of superheroes that bickers and fights amongst each other, an enemy who takes advantage of that weak spot, turning the heroes against each other, before a moment of clarity brings the team together in the final act.</p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span>Regardless, it will probably be the best action film of the summer,&#xa0;</span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">and may even beat the first movie's&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=avengers11.htm"><span class="s1">$1.5 billion</span></a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;gross.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Some highlights:</span></p><h3 class="p1"><strong>The opening sequence is awesome.</strong></h3><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54f8636a6bb3f78c0d6eb469-1200-500/avengers-assemble.png" border="0" alt="avengers age of ultron" style="color: #000000;"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAUoeqvedMo">Marvel</a></span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">After three years away from the big screen, this is what you've been waiting for, to see the Avengers team back in action, working side by side.</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span>The film p<span>icks up right&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/captain-america-the-winter-soldier-end-credits-2014-4">where the end-credits for "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" left off</a>. Iron Man (Robert Downey, Jr.), the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) reunite in a big opening action sequence to take down terrorist organization H.Y.D.R.A.,</span></span><span>&#xa0;which is in possession of the all powerful sceptre that caused the mayhem of the first film.&#xa0;</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The team makes it look like another day at the office as they easily take down an organization that has managed to&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">cause nothing but grief for the cast of ABC's "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;We see that&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Captain America and Thor make quite the tag team as well as Black Widow and the Hulk.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">It's here where they also come across two new additions Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), superpowered twins orphaned at 10 with a huge gripe against the Avengers (more on them in a bit).</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">After the opening, Whedon shows what the superheroes do when they're not saving the world. This includes a big party scene that's been showcased in trailers and TV spots. There's also a</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;romantic plot thrown into the mix that feels like something out of "Beauty and the Beast." Is it necessary? No, but it works, and character depth is some of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/people-love-working-with-joss-whedon-2014-7">what the director does best</a>.</span></p><h3 class="p1"><strong>James Spader's Ultron is delightfully evil.</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></h3><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54f868bf69bedd3d0d6eb46d-1200-500/ultron-lasers.png" border="0" alt="ultron lasers"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAUoeqvedMo">Marvel</a></span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The big bad villain who wants to annihilate the human race comes out guns blazing. As in the trailers, Spader's a scene-stealer whenever he's on screen.</span></span></p><p class="p1">A hot-headed robot created by an overzealous billionaire genius Tony Stark (aka Iron Man), Ultron is supposed to be the next step in a robotic police force, the Iron Legion, which Stark has been working on to sub in for the Avengers.&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Unfortunately, the A.I. project goes awry when Ultron&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">winds up being a psychotic killer&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">bent on destroying both the Avengers and the Earth.</span></p><p class="p1">Because Ultron is modelled with his creator's personality quirks, scenes between the two feel like you're watching Stark go up against himself. Stark's usually the one to get the last word in edge-wise on screen, so it's exciting to watch Ultron&#xa0;<span>deliver some verbal punches before Stark can even muster a pitch.</span></p><p class="p1">When the two go head to head, Ultron gives Iron Man a run for his money. Made out of vibranium steel, the same material as Captain America's unbreakable shield, he's virtually unstoppable.&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;&#xa0;</span></p><h3 class="p1"><strong>Hawkeye is one of the best parts of the film.</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></span></h3><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5536c178eab8ea995e20548b-1200-600/hawkeye-avengers-age-of-ultron-1.jpg" border="0" alt="hawkeye avengers age of ultron"><p class="source"><span>Disney/Marvel</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Seriously. This was probably one of the biggest and most welcome surprises of the film.&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span></p><p class="p1">After spending most of the time as one of Loki's mindless drones last film, Clint Barton (Renner) is very much front and center, and he gets not one but probably two of the best lines in the entire film. You'll know them when you hear them.&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span></p><p class="p1">By now, we're well-versed about Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America. Here, Whedon does a great job at bringing not only Barton, but the rest of the Avengers including Black Widow and the Hulk/Doctor Banner to the forefront.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span></p><p class="p1">If you go back to the "Avengers," you can see Whedon planted the seeds for some of their current backstory long ago.<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span></p><h3 class="p1"><strong>The only better part? Vision</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span></h3><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54f7536e6bb3f7a57e8a9c27-1200-500/paul-bettany-vision.png" border="0" alt="paul bettany vision"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAUoeqvedMo">Marvel</a></span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The only actor to play two roles in a Marvel film, it's incredibly exciting to see Paul Bettany, who has voiced Tony Stark's A.I. J.A.R.V.I.S. since 2008's "Iron Man," as a physical presence in the sequel.</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">It takes a while for Vision to show up, but when he finally appears, he's all you'll want to see. I don't want to give much away here, but his character delivers a few great lines and surprising moments pretty much every time he's on screen - one early moment in particular will have Marvel fans flipping out.</span></p><h3 class="p1">The new additions aren't going to be your new favorite characters.</h3><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image on-image"><a title_source="Marvel" title_caption="Marvel probably should have left these two to the " x-men.="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/553117b6eab8ea654d8b4567-960/avengers-age-of-ultron-scarlet-witch-1.jpg"><span class="sprites click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/553117b6eab8ea654d8b4567-1200-600/avengers-age-of-ultron-scarlet-witch-1.jpg" border="0" alt="avengers age of ultron scarlet witch" /></a><p class="source"><span>Marvel</span></p><p class="caption">Marvel probably should have left these two to the "X-Men."</p></div><p></p></div></div><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">There's a reason you don't hear much of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver in any of the teasers.</span></span></p><p class="p2">While Olsen gives a lively performance as Wanda Maximoff, Taylor-Johnson's Quicksilver is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/quicksilver-evan-peters-x-men-2014-5">nowhere near as cool as&#xa0;</a><span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/quicksilver-evan-peters-x-men-2014-5">Evan Peters's portrayal of the same character</a> in "<span>X-Men: Days of Future Past."</span></span></p><p class="p2"><span><span>The super-powered siblings also have a few awkward moments. To start there's the strange</span></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span><a href="http://collider.com/avengers-age-of-ultron-interview-elizabeth-olsen-aaron-taylor-johnson/">Eastern European accents</a>&#xa0;they made up.</p><p class="p2">Then there's the<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span><a href="https://youtu.be/0WM915QsOyI?t=48s">silly one liner</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">, "You didn't see that coming?" which is traded back and forth between Quicksilver and Hawkeye throughout the film.</span></p><p class="p1">Finally, there's&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">the eye-roll-inducing workaround Disney uses to avoid calling them "mutants" - which is originally how the siblings received their powers in the comics. Though&#xa0;</span><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/x-men-vs-avengers-movies-2014-5">20th Century Fox owns the film rights to Marvel's X-Men and all mention of mutants</a>,&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">these two characters are allowed to appear in both franchises.&#xa0;</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Expect a few chuckles in theaters when Captain America tells you the twins are simply "enhanced" beings that H.Y.D.R.A. experimented on.</span></p><h3 class="p1"><strong>The movie feels pretty predictable without big surprises.</strong>&#xa0;</h3><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/54b4918169bedd8d07325049/ultron-avengers-age-of-ultron.gif" border="0" alt="ultron avengers age of ultron"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZoO8QVMxkk">Marvel</a></span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div><br><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">If you've watched all the trailers you won't be surprised by the first 40 or so minutes of the film. It's all a lead up to the first time you see Ultron on screen. After that, you're anxiously awaiting Vision's entrance since his <a href="http://marvel.com/news/movies/24410/witness_vision_in_new_marvels_avengers_age_of_ultron_poster">big reveal online</a>.</span><p class="p1">Many fans had this grand expectation that other characters would be introduced into the mix since 1. Marvel <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/marvel-film-schedule-through-2018-2014-10">unveiled plans for a new group of superheroes</a> who will soon get their own films 2. A mysterious character <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/avengers-age-of-ultron-mystery-woman-not-in-movie-2015-4">was teased in a trailer</a>.</p><p class="p1">Nope.</p><p class="p1"><span>Other than Vision, there are no other surprises. So it's a bit of a bummer that Marvel decided to go ahead and spoil the biggest part of its sequel before release.</span></p><h3 class="p1"><strong>When the movie takes a big risk, Marvel blows it</strong>&#xa0;</h3><p class="p1">Without saying too much, Marvel had a chance to make a really big, shocking statement in "Age of Ultron" during one of its climactic scenes.&#xa0;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">However, it seems like it would have went against Disney's family-friendly vibe.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">If you want to know what happens, highlight the text below. I don't mention any names.</span></p><p class="p1"><strong>*Huge spoiler*</strong> <span style="color: #000000; background-color: #000000;">There's a big, unexpected death. For the longest time, you get the sense it's going to be a certain big character. Much of the entire sequel builds to this; however, at the last moment, Marvel pulls the rug out from under us, sparing us a huge death for a more minor character fans aren't as attached to yet.</span><strong> *Huge spoiler*</strong></p><h3 class="p1"><strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">It's impossible for some of the scenes to top "The Avengers"</span></strong></h3><p class="p1"></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/518302dfecad048e7700001d-1200-706/the-avengers-tony-stark.jpg" border="0" alt="the avengers tony stark" style="line-height: 1.5em;"><p class="source"><span>The Avengers screencap</span></p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Nothing in this movie can beat the climactic scene in "The Avengers" where Stark sacrifices his life to rescue the citizens of Manhattan from a nuke. You're strapped to your seat the entire taking hit after hit. First when Stark can't get through to his girlfriend Pepper to bid a potential farewell, then again when he nearly doesn't make it back through the closing of the hole to another dimension (just go with it), and finally when he's falling down to Earth and no one's immediately diving in to save him (we're looking at you Thor).<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;<br><br /></br></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">In addition, it's difficult to match moments in the first movie like when Hulk crushes Loki into the floor of Tony Stark's tower or when Hulk punches Thor out of the frame. And nothing compares to Loki as he relishes in extracting an eye from a man to the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdFAkth_L9M">overture of Franz Schubert's String Quartet No. 13 in A Minor</a>.</span><p class="p1">As good as "Age of Ultron" is, it just leaves something to be desired.</p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Still, y</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">ou'll get the action you crave, you'll get some witty one-liners, and you'll have a really good time.</span></p><p class="p1">From a summer movie, that's all you really want.&#xa0;</p><p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">"Avengers: Age of Ultron" opens in the US May 1.</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&#xa0;</span></p><div><span style="line-height: 1.5em; color: #222222;">&#xa0;</span><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JAUoeqvedMo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div></div>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/star-wars-episode-7-trailer-2-2015-4">Disney just released a new 'Star Wars: Episode VII' trailer and it's incredible</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="l4MGRrdDrqMjGfqdTptDk6urqaVtlCaa" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'l4MGRrdDrqMjGfqdTptDk6urqaVtlCaa',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div></br>

'Avengers: Age of Ultron' is great, but it's not better than the original

<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">December is a BIG movie month.</span></p>
<p>For those heading out to theaters on Christmas, there are eight <keyword id="406" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="Movies">movies</keyword> coming out. Of those, four are big wide releases. </p>
<p>Not sure what to see? We've broken down which films are worth watching for everyone.</p>
<h2><strong>1. Skip: "<keyword id="1764599" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="47-Ronin">47 Ronin</keyword>"</strong></h2>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/52a2459269bedd5d1c5aaefa-1200-600/keanu-reeves-47-ronin-5.jpeg?maxX=800" border="0" alt="keanu reeves 47 ronin" width="800" /><p class="source">Universal Pictures</p></div><p></p></div></strong><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">What it's about: </strong>Reeves swings around a sword as a samurai as he leads an army of 47 warriors to avenge the death of their master.</p>
<p><strong>The only reason to see it: </strong>Keanu Reeves.</p>
<p>It's the actor's return front and center in a big-budget film for the first time in 10 years.</p>
<p><strong>Why you should pass: </strong></p>
<p>I love Reeves, but after some thought, I'm not convinced from the trailers this looks like a great film. Maybe it's the monstrous woman turning into a cheesy-looking CGI dragon, maybe it's the fact the film has a tumultuous production story - it's been pushed back <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/47-ronin-first-trailer-2013-7" target="_blank">since Nov. 2012 with a budget estimated at $225 million</a> - either way, both leave me hesitant about the film.</p>
<p>At the least, you should check out the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-47-Ronin-Graphic-Novel/dp/1611801370" target="_blank">graphic novel</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Worth noting:</strong> Since his time away on screen - his <a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=matrixrevolutions.htm" target="_blank">last</a> <a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=somethingsgottagive.htm" target="_blank">big films</a> were in 2003 - Reeves has become Internet famous gaining traction for viral meme <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/keanu-is-sad-sad-keanu" target="_blank">Sad Keanu</a>.</p>
<p>The once-Matrix actor really resonates with fans and no matter how bad this movie may be it may very well end up surprising at the box office despite all the competition.</p>
<h2><strong>2. Run out and see: "<keyword id="1274262" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="The-Wolf-of-Wall-Street">The Wolf of Wall Street</keyword>"</strong></h2>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/52a24cd26bb3f7201468f74e-1200-600/the-wolf-of-wall-street-leonardo-dicaprio-2.jpg" border="0" alt="the wolf of wall street leonardo dicaprio" width="800" /><p class="source">Paramount Pictures and Red Granite Pictures</p></div><p></p></div></p>
<p><strong>What it's about: </strong>Leonardo DiCaprio is back as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/the-great-gatsby" target="_blank">another wealthy socialite</a>, this time as crooked stockbroker Jordan Belfort.</p>
<p><strong>Why this is a must-see: </strong></p>
<p>Other than the sex, drugs, and over-the-top wild parties on screen?</p>
<p>1. This "Anything for the Oscar" GIF of Leonardo DiCaprio</p>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51beb84fecad04d549000000/leonardo-dicaprio-wolf-of-wall-street.jpg" border="0" alt="leonardo dicaprio wolf of wall street" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&amp;v=cz_J-DKNHMo">Paramount Pictures</a></p></div><p></p></div></div></p>
<p>This is DiCaprio and director Martin Scorsese's fifth time working together on a film. Despite DiCaprio's <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000138/awards?ref_=nm_awd" target="_blank">two Oscar nominations for Best Actor</a>, he has yet to win an Academy Award.</p>
<p>2. Early <a href="http://www.thewrap.com/wolf-wall-street-martin-scorsese-leonardo-dicaprio-oscar-race-screening-reactions" target="_blank">viewers</a>, including one from our <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-wolf-of-wall-street-movie-preview-2013-12" target="_blank">video editor Justin Maiman</a>, are raving about the performances.</p>
<p>3. If that isn't enough, our own Linette Lopez got her hands on the script for the film last year and picked out the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/15-wolf-of-wall-street-scenes-2013-6" target="_blank">15 scenes she can't wait to see</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Why you should pass: </strong>That sounds like the wrong move here.</p>
<h2><strong>3. Overrated: "Grudge Match"</strong></h2>
<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/52a4b0c469beddc6398631aa-1200-600/grudge-match-robert-de-niro-sylvester-stallone-3.jpg" border="0" alt="grudge match robert de niro sylvester stallone" width="800" /><p class="source"><a href="http://grudgematchmovie.com">Warner Bros. Pictures</a></p></div><p></p></div><strong>What it's about:</strong> Robert DeNiro and Sylvester Stallone are returning to the boxing ring to go a few rounds for the title of top boxer.</p>
<p><strong>Why to watch: </strong>The addition of Kevin Hart for comic relief may be the only saving grace to an otherwise campy film that seems outdated and unnecessary. </p>
<p><strong>Why to pass:</strong> Do you really want to watch "Rocky" vs. "Raging Bull"? I'm not sure how many crowds of audiences have been saying they want to see such this "epic" fight onscreen.</p>
<p>How many other films with two older actors trying to recapture the spotlight have you seen do well this year? ("<a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=burtwonderstone.htm" target="_blank">The Incredible Burt Wonderstone</a>" with Jim Carrey and "<a href="http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=tomb.htm" target="_blank">Escape Plan</a>" with Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger are a two examples that come to mind.)</p>
<p>This isn't something like "The Avengers" vs. "The Justice League" that may get fans all riled up.</p>
<h2><strong>4. Steer clear: "<keyword id="1783874" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="The-Secret-Life-of-Walter-Mitty">The Secret Life of Walter Mitty</keyword>"</strong></h2>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/5294cf1b6da811b50622f10a-831-356/secret-life-of-walter-mitty.png" border="0" alt="secret life of walter mitty" /><p class="source"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdZ2cCMVKxU">20th Century Fox / The Secret Life of Walter Mitty trailer</a></p></div><p></p></div></div></strong></p>
<p><strong>What it's about: </strong>Based on the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-World-Secret-Walter-Blazers/dp/0895987201/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1386531960&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=the+secret+life+of+walter+mitty" target="_blank">James Thurber book</a>, Ben Stiller stars as a shy guy constantly lost in a daydream who finally goes on a big life adventure.</p>
<p><strong>Who should see it: </strong>Fans of the book. Kristen Wiig / Stiller fans.</p>
<p><strong>Why you should pass:</strong></p>
<p>Collective <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_secret_life_of_walter_mitty_2013/" target="_blank">early reviews for the film</a> agree Mitty's dead on arrival with the adaptation lost in its own fantasy.</p>
<p>If we're being serious, between "<keyword id="1785981" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="American-Hustle">American Hustle</keyword>," "The Wolf of Wall Street," and this pick, we'd go with either of the former choices.</p>
<h3>The four other movies out Christmas Day:</h3>
<p><strong>5. "August: Osage County": </strong>How can you go wrong with Meryl Streep AND Julia Roberts?A group of women come together for a family crisis. Ewan McGregor also stars in the film produced in part by George Clooney. <strong>Worth a watch.</strong></p>
<p class="p1"><strong>6."Labor Day":</strong> Kate Winslet plays a mom who unknowingly gives a ride to an escaped convict (Josh Brolin). <strong>See it</strong>.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>7. "Justin Bieber's Believe":</strong> A follow-up documentary to the singer's 2011 "Never Say Never" movie that teenage girls and "Beliebers" may want to check out, but that will probably get lost among all the other big releases. <strong>Skip</strong>.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>8. "Walking With Dinosaurs 3D": </strong>Stick with Disney's animated flick, "Frozen."<strong> </strong>of is supposed to deliver a look at what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. The title sounds like the film is geared toward one demographic, but upon viewing the trailer it feels like a kid's film (a la "The Land Before Time"). Having 3D in the title doesn't do the film any favors as audiences often assume that means you must see the movie in that format. <strong>Skip</strong>.</p>
<h2><strong>Other films you'll want to check out:</strong></h2>
<p>Maybe you don't want to see any of <em>those </em>movies. </p>
<p>There are a few other movies coming out RIGHT before the holidays you should consider:</p>
<h2>Must-See: "American Hustle"</h2>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52a4d18a6da8110c2319d054-1200-600/american-hustle-3.jpg" border="0" alt="american hustle" width="800" /><p class="source">Francois Duhamel / Sony Pictures</p></div><p></p></div></strong><strong>Release date: </strong>December 20</p>
<p>After last year's Oscar winner, "Silver Linings Playbook," director David O. Russell is back with actors Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence. This time Amy Adams and Christian Bale join as two con artists trying to take down corrupt politicians.</p>
<p>Early reviews for the film are saying this could very well be O. Russell's next big Oscar win.</p>
<h2><strong>For the diehard film fan: "Her"</strong></h2>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52a50f4c6da811a74e19d054-2400-1350/her-joaquin-phoenix-3.jpg" border="0" alt="her joaquin phoenix" width="800" /><p class="source">Warner Bros. Pictures</p></div><p></p></div>Initial release date: </strong>December 18</p>
<p>Need something a little more quirky? Look no farther than Spike Jones' romantic dramedy about a man (Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with an operating system (voiced by Scarlet Johansson).</p>
<h2><strong>For the Peter Jackson fan: "The Hobbit: <keyword id="1968613" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="The-Desolation-of-Smaug">The Desolation of Smaug</keyword>"</strong></h2>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52a5173deab8ea911819d050-1200-600/the-hobbit-martin-freeman.jpg" border="0" alt="the hobbit martin freeman" width="800" /><p class="source">Mark Pokomy / Warner Bros.</p></div><p></p></div>Release date: December 13</strong></p>
<p>Weren't a fan of the first film? The second of the trilogy should be the movie where the majority of the high-action takes place. </p>
<p>Don't take our word for it, the majority of early reviews say the second installment is better than the first. </p>
<p>Fans of Benedict Cumberbatch ("Sherlock") will appreciate him voicing the menacing dragon Smaug. "Lord of the Rings" fans will welcome back the return of Orlando Bloom as Legolas.</p>
<p>If you're worried about the surreal 48 frames per second that the first film was shown in, you won't have to deal with that this time around. </p>
<h2><strong>For the Disney fan: "Saving Mr. Banks"</strong></h2>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/52a51c7669bedda3298631a4-1200-600/tom-hanks-saving-mr-banks-3.jpg" border="0" alt="tom hanks saving mr banks" width="800" /><p class="source">Disney</p></div><p></p></div>Release date: </strong>December 13</p>
<p>Love "Mary Poppins" or Walt Disney? This film will tell you how the legend himself brought the film to the big screen. If you thought you were signing up for a film about Disney himself, look elsewhere. You may not get the full (true) story of the adaptation but you will get strong performances from Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson.</p>
<h2><strong>Must-watch comedy: "<keyword id="1743514" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Anchorman-2">Anchorman 2</keyword>: The Legend Continues"</strong></h2>
<p><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container"><div class="image on-image"><img src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/52a51cbc69bedd972e8631a0-1200-600/will-ferrell-christina-applegate-anchorman-2-2.jpg" border="0" alt="will ferrell christina applegate anchorman 2" width="800" /><p class="source">Gemma LaMana / Paramount Pictures</p></div><p></p></div>Release date: </strong>December 18</p>
<p>The news team reassembles!</p>
<p>Even if the movie's bad - and with all of the marketing oversaturation lately it very well could be - it won't matter. Fans have been waiting for nearly a decade to see Ron Burgundy reunite with the Channel 4 News team. And great Odin's raven are there a number of cameos - Tina Fey, Jim Carrey, Harrison Ford, and more. If it's the last thing we do, we'll be seeing this sequel - for better or worse.</p>

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