One of the problems with a huge franchise like the Marvel Cinematic Universe is that it's hard to surprise you. Age Of Ultron managed to pull a few fast ones on audiences, and Quicksilver's death was a genuine shock - but the fates of most of the rest of the cast were never in question, since everybody already knows there's another Thor movie coming, and a third Captain America co-starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Iron Man. So none of the Avengers' lives were really in danger, despite the whole third act constantly implying otherwise. It's been the cornerstone of spoilerific reveals since the Harry Potter books made them a recurring trope, which Age Of Ultron neatly sidesteps. In fact, it does something way more interesting. Namely, retiring half of the current Avengers roster. Hawkeye looks about ready to settle down and retire, having seen a third kid into the world. Tony Stark has given up being Iron Man again. Hulk ran away to Fiji or something. And, in the absence of its established roster, Romanoff and Cap prepare to train an All-New, All-Different team of Avengers. Which includes Rhodey in full War Machine armour, Scarlet Witch, The Vision, and Cap's Winter Soldier pal The Falcon. Is this really the team for Infinity War? Because, if so, that's surprisingly rad. What's your biggest talking point from Age Of Ultron? Share it down in the comments.
Tom Baker is the Comics Editor at WhatCulture! He's heard all the Doctor Who jokes, but not many about Randall and Hopkirk. He also blogs at http://communibearsilostate.wordpress.com/
