ULTIMATE AVENGERS II
RISE OF THE PANTHER

"We do not need outside help"

As Alien's invade the world, it is the African nation of Wakanda that seems to be the main target of their attacks. Its defender King T'Chaka (Fennoy) dons the scared Black Panther costume to take on the alien leader, a creature who has clashed with Earth before Herr Kleiser. Seeing that they cannot cope with this attack on their own, Prince T'Challa (Sams) calls for help and S.H.I.E.L.D. commander Nick Fury responds by sending the world's greatest superheroes, the Avengers.

Marvel's ultimate team of superheroes come together again to continue the fight against the alien menace that threatens our planet but can the Avengers win this battle?

Marvel's second direct to DVD Ultimate Avengers movie hits and continues the story set up in the first movie. After defeating the alien hordes, the Avengers have to deal with the repercussions of the battle both for the world and for them personally. Bruce Banner is in solitary confinement and unable to continue his work. Thor is still at odds with his father Odin. Hank and Janet Pym are having marriage problems. Tony Stark is still the overly confident billionaire. Steve Rogers is having trouble coping with he new time period he has found himself in. This makes for character development, a rarity for an animated film.

Along with the character development comes the action and with the return of Captain America's nemesis from World War II Herr Kleiser and the alien hordes, the world is in danger again. Their target this time is the ancient African nation Wakanda, which is under the protection of the Black Panther, a man who can channel the power of the jungle cat. Unable to defend itself, Prince T'Challa calls Nick Fury for assistance and he responds by sending the Avengers.

The Marvel animated movies and series have always struggled to compete with the ultra successful DC animated series like 'Batman: The Animated Series', 'Superman' and 'Justice League'. The 'Ultimate Avengers' movies are not as good as the Paul Dini driven series but they are getting there. The animation is good and the characters capture the essence of their comic book origins but they still have a way to go to catch up to DC.

'Ultimate Avengers: Rise of the Black Panther' is a good continuation of the story developed in the first movie. While it may not be as good as the DC animation yet but Marvel fans can finally see their heroes coming together to fight evil.