8. Getting Excited For Age Of Ultron Was A Mistake
Avengers: Age of Ultron was not a bad film. It was exciting and funny and very expensive-looking indeed. But it certainly wasn't a great film, for a few reasons: the plotting was sloppy (why did Ultron kidnap Black Widow? Plot convenience and nothing more), there were too many story elements vying for contention (Thor, where have you gone) and magical elements were confusing (what do the stones do? What do they DO?!) All these complaints were true of the first Avengers movie in some form or another as well, but what that movie had which no other had before, and none will have after, was the single giddy thrill of seeing the Avengers assemble for the first time. A big part of the excitement of that movie's last act was watching something no one really thought would be good, BE GOOD. The doubt that it could be pulled off actually worked in the film's favour, turning a very flimsily-plotted single film, into a victory lap years in the making, and for the audience, being astonished that it didn't fall apart was what made it so exciting and triumphant. Marvel will never have that again. The fact that we've seen them accomplish an Avengers film made Age of Ultron much less remarkable. No longer wowed by the star power onscreen, the film itself (and its director) was much more carefully scrutinised, and found wanting as a result. If anything, Marvel need a high-profile failure before Infinity War to re-adjust everyone's expectations. That's a horrible thing to wish for.