There were funny scenes, sure, and more self-aware gags than you could count of two hands. And yet, for one reason for another, Age of Ultron was a little depressing; it didn't embrace the gun-ho bravado of its predecessor in as much as it settled to be the inevitable "darker chapter" that so many sequels aspire to be - almost as a matter of obligation. Infinity War could essentially emerge as something of a downer; it has the capacity, after all, to be a motion picture filled with death and destruction on a scale that MCU fans are yet to see. Spread that across two parts, throw in a few unexpected character demises and city-wide battle sequences, and you've got yourself a super gritty motion picture extravaganza. But who wants that, really? Age of Ultron was downbeat enough, and it didn't really work; instead, the movie came across as a little weird - like a broody teenage, unsure of whether or not he or she is actually of any worth. Infinity War will thrive on its ambition to be fun - to be entertaining and colourful and crazy. Less Avengers, more... well, Guardians of the Galaxy.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
