This Avengers Trailer Is Still One of Marvel’s Best of All Time

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Following the exceptional trailer for 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” the bar was set high for Marvel Cinematic Universe movie previews. Earlier trailers for their productions (with a few exceptions, like the fantastic “Iron Man” teaser) were competent but not particularly standout in terms of editing and music selection. Even 2012’s blockbuster hit “The Avengers” had more run-of-the-mill previews compared to other films of the same year, such as “Prometheus.” However, “Guardians of the Galaxy” broke the mold with multiple trailers and posters brimming with personality, which preceded its remarkable box office success.

The anticipation mounted significantly as these trailers were released, given the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe production. Ordinary trailers wouldn’t suffice in this fresh universe. Fortunately, Avengers: Age of Ultron was about to debut, and its groundbreaking initial teaser trailer is still considered one of the best Marvel trailers ever made.

What’s in the Avengers: Age of Ultron Trailer?

Back in October 2014, when the Age of Ultron teaser premiered, I wasn’t too familiar with the menacing mechanical villain, Ultron. However, the marketing whizzes at Disney/Marvel Studios took a risk by focusing heavily on this new adversary. The teaser kicked off with James Spader’s chilling voice as Ultron, delivering a foreboding monologue that set the tone for the film. The screen was filled with unsettling visuals – people screaming in terror, mechanical arms reaching up from goo-drenched surfaces. As the darkness lifted, a battered Ultron clone stood before us, ready to face off against our beloved Avengers. Spader’s haunting voice continued, convincing viewers that this new addition to the Avengers roster of villains was definitely worth watching closely.

When the Marvel Studios emblem appears, the trailer kicks off with a rendition of the Pinocchio song “I’ve Got No Strings,” sung by a children’s choir in 2014. Although using such techniques was becoming a bit overused in trailers at that time, the ominous version of a well-known Disney melody effectively conveyed just how twisted the world was under Ultron’s control. Even cheerful Disney tunes can take on a chilling quality. The rest of the trailer presented unsettling twists to the usual order, such as Thor in pain, Thor grabbing Tony Stark forcefully, and other scenes showing the Avengers no longer united, which added to the overall disquieting feeling.

seldom has a Marvel Studios trailer for one of its films been as somber as this one; it’s unusually devoid of humor (although the second Age of Ultron trailer did include some of the film’s comedic moments). The tone gradually intensified, with the cover song and Ultron’s voice growing louder, ultimately creating a bleak, almost apocalyptic mood. The teaser ends with Ultron, in his final robotic form, looking down at an unseen target while saying, “There are no strings on me,” just before the title appears. This grim ending perfectly caps off a chilling and eerie trailer.

Why Else Is the Age of Ultron Teaser Noteworthy?

Since the teaser for “Age of Ultron” was first shown, both its signature song and the chilling voice work by Spader have gained legendary status. However, the teaser doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves for enhancing certain “Age of Ultron” scenes with a sense of grandeur and even an apocalyptic feel. These moments, such as Bruce Banner running frantically through the winter woods after transforming into the Hulk, or a side-view of a Hydra tank charging into new territory, or Clint Barton weaving between trees, take on a darker atmosphere due to the editing and music choices in the teaser.

In a similar vein, scenes showing Steve Rogers forcefully breaking into a Hydra facility and recoiling in shock reveal potentially startling revelations and ominous developments from the original Avengers, which were not fully realized in the final version of Age of Ultron. While there are many appealing aspects and outstanding sequences in Age of Ultron, it’s also a disjointed movie trying to tackle too much. This isn’t just about specific scenes from the Age of Ultron trailer being more effective here compared to the final edit. The entire trailer, in fact, presents a consistent atmosphere that the film itself failed to maintain throughout its 141-minute duration.

Over time, it’s become more enjoyable to recognize the serious tone without undermining the apocalyptic feel with humor, as was seen in this initial teaser. Later MCU projects such as the post-credit scene of Black Widow struggled to blend drama and comedy effectively. Consequently, the unflinching dedication to a distinctly bleak atmosphere is appreciated. Given that it followed the impressive Guardians of the Galaxy trailers, this wasn’t an easy feat. Yet, the Age of Ultron teaser rose to the challenge and surpassed expectations, ultimately ranking among the best Marvel trailers ever made.

Avengers: Age of Ultron is now streaming on Disney+.

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2025-06-29 14:40