It comes to something when the mid-credits scene for a film (that lasts a grand total of around 10 seconds) gives you more forward motion for the wider MCU than the entirety of the movie does in over two hours. Even Thor 2 in all it's Kat Dennings-showcasing hilarity knew to expand on the Infinity Stone/Gauntlet stuff for the future, and despite that movie being the other worst offender of playing every scene for laughs alongside this newest addition, it served its purpose in fleshing out a part of the universe that fans wanted more of from the first film. Age of Ultron offers nothing. It's a fairly heartless endeavour that comes across more like all involved were just making 'another Avengers movie' than 'the one before Civil War' or "one that should set up Infinity War". The mid-credits scene in question finally showcases Thanos picking up an empty Infinity Gauntlet, with even the tone in his delivery being exhausting, as he states "I'll do it myself" in relation to how little Ultron and co.'s forces accomplished. Considering how much the first Avengers proved in that it was possible to avoid Spider-Man 3's failings and deliver a movie that gave equal and valid screentime to all that needed it, Ultron almost serves to undo this completely, curtailing far too much to righting the wrongs of things like Hawkeye's life outside the team, Black Widow's motivations and being more immediately action-heavy. The result is a mess of a film that even objectively is impossible to feel anything for what's happening other than the same 'Oohs' and 'aahs' you'd have at a fireworks display. How did you find this latest Marvel blockbuster? Let us know in the comments!
