Frankly, it doesn’t matter if “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is worthwhile or not — it will still smash box office records we never knew existed. Already blasting past $200 million abroad, the pieces are set for Disney to earn more money than some small nations will see in a year.

The Avengers assemble in the latest Marvel blockbuster, “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. (photo courtesy of Marvel Studios)

I don’t wish to sound negative, but with a budget near $280 million, this is a titan as mad as Thanos, the soon-to-be villain of the third and fourth “Avengers” flicks (he was that hovering purplish dude in “Guardians of the Galaxy”). But astonishing visual effects and lavish shooting locales sans humor, purpose and cohesion is the realm of director Michael Bay, not a god-man like Joss Whedon (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Firefly”, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog”). And that’s why Marvel Studios entrusted the fanboy director with so much money. He respects the material and employs a small army of tools that lend themselves quite well to superheroes on the big screen. Wit, visual style, political depth — Whedon is life. Sure, it didn’t hurt that his first installment was a hulking success, hammering out some $1.5 billion worldwide.

“Avengers 2” can only rocket in terms of story, action and number of characters. The rules of escalation demand it, and that it does. In 2012, I worried Whedon might not be able to juggle so many characters on screen, equally honoring their importance. But he assembled his team magically. I’m happy to report similar success in a film that introduces three new heroes, adds a couple already introduced in other films, features two new villains and sets up a third for another film. Somehow, it never feels overwhelming.

If you binge watch TV, you know how complicated plotlines can get. “Avengers 2” harnesses storytelling for the initiated. Remember “Lost”? Love it or hate it, if you didn’t start from the beginning, you’d never understand why people kept saying, “4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42.” You can easily survive “Age of Ultron” without help, but it’s so much more satisfying if you embrace the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. I’m talking everything, from the 11 films and five one-shots to its three television series (“Daredevil”, which premiered in early April, will change your life; it’s that good).

Not everything in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is incredible, just as “Avengers 2” isn’t the mightiest contribution, but it’s fun, and the big wigs at Marvel are starting to realize the potential for diversity if they let filmmakers branch out from their tried-and-true formula. But round 2 for the Earth’s mightiest heroes isn’t as groundbreaking as “The Avengers”, “Captain America 2” or “Guardians of the Galaxy”, all of which opened new doors for the franchise. But it is an incredibly satisfying thanks to spectacular performances, uncanny visuals and ant-sized jokes you’ll miss if you don’t pay attention, though I must admit mild disappointment with the lack of humor overall.

An artificial intelligence hellbent on annihilating humanity is hardly original, but James Spader’s voice acting chops bring this CGI-made robot to life. His humor is very unexpected. And while the poor (German?) accents of the twins Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) might suspend your suspension of disbelief, there’s plenty of banter between Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) and Captain America (Chris Evans).

Then there are the more complex roles for Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlet Johannson) this time around. Meanwhile, Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) contemplate their roles on the team, and if they should be elsewhere. Don’t forget about Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). He’s around, but just as inconsequential as his former S.H.I.E.L.D. subordinate, Marie Hill (Cobie Smolders), who now works for Iron Man/Tony Stark at Avengers Tower in New York (you’d know that if you watched “Cap 2” and “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”).

In many ways, “Age of Ultron” is a transition film. Some team members will not return. But that’s how the comics function. The name remains, but the players come and go. It’s a wonderful strategy to keep a film property alive, just as “Doctor Who’s” physical regeneration ability allows a show to keep going for more than 50 years.

I’ve attempted to be blunt and speak plainly about Marvel’s money-grabbing power. But that doesn’t mean I don’t find pleasure in these films. I adore them, and “Avengers 2” is hardly an exception. It’s not amazing, but it’s top-five material. Marvel might be drunk on its own power. After all, it did successfully release a film featuring a tree and raccoon in leading roles.

I just don’t see why that’s a problem. French Marxist Louis Althusser believed the greatest freedom we all have is the freedom to choose to whom we give our freedom. I accept Marvel for what it is: a capitalist entity that cannot thrive without my money. I accept my role as a member of the hive, and give the Avengers my freedom willingly. Hail Hydra!