When Earth’s mightiest heroes assemble for the second time, the world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe couldn’t be more different. Following the events of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, spy agency SHIELD has been dismantled after it was revealed that evildoers HYDRA had secretly been running the show the whole time.

The Avengers now operate independently, traversing the world and diffusing crises one by one. Six superheroes can only do so much, however, and when it appears that their resources are being stretched thin, Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) resurrects a dormant peacekeeping plan for automated world security. The plan, commanded by a super-intelligent, self-aware AI system known as Ultron, initially works miracles. But Ultron soon develops a God complex and reaches the skewed conclusion that, in order to accomplish his singular mandate and make the world a better place, humans will need to be eradicated too.

Bigger, better, and bolder than the first film – the third highest-grossing of all time – the packed Age of Ultron raises the stakes in every way possible with geek god/writer-director Joss Whedon once again at the helm. Of the impressive and sprawling cast of returning and new players, James Spader without a doubt delivers the film’s standout performance (albeit, in voice and motion capture) as the delectably evil Ultron – the first truly threatening villain in a Marvel film to date.

But let’s be honest: you were going to see this anyway, so just stop reading and head over to Coombs now to grab a seat. Yes, now; you can never be too early and you won’t want to miss out.