As I was watching this movie today, I realized it's one of the most important film in mcu. It has tons of elements that are used heavily in future MCU films, eg

Fleshing out Hawkeye

°In this film we get to see the other side of Hawkeye, we learn about his family, who would played a vital role to his character's dark turn in Endgame.

°This movie also solidifies his relationship with Black Widow which makes her demise in endgame even more impactful.

°He also inspired Wanda to shake off her past and become an Avenger.

The arising tension between Steve and Tony

° Things started to get sour between Steve and Tony, after him and Bruce accidentally created Ultron and also Vision. And the destruction of Sokovia at the end of the movie is also one of the main reason for the Sokovia Accords, which are all part of the reason that split the superheroes in two sides in CW.

Intro of Scarlett Witch and Vision

°Vision and Scarlett are both introduced in this film, and they both would go on and become crucial members of the Avengers.

Thanos had enough

° The events of this film upset Thanos so much that he decided to "do it himself" which foreshadows the event of Infinity War.

Avengers as a unit

°It's also the first appearance of the Avengers functional as a team. They're not just meeting and building the team like in the first Avengers, they aren't split like in Civil War and Infinity War or broken like in Endgame. They're just out there taking on bad guys, hanging out, and fighting evil robots.

Hulk/Bruce banner story arc

°Bruce Banner started having problems transforming into the Hulk in this movie which keeps recurring in Infinity War, until ultimately resolved at Endgame.

°Hulk buster armor

°At the end of this film, Hulk left on the quinjet which from there, you know, Ragnorak.

Wakanda/ Black panther tease

°Klaw is first introduced in this film, he would go on to become one of Black panther's main villain. Wakanda and vibranium are mentioned as well.

Black widow's arc

°Flashback scenes of Black Widow's years of training might be further explored in the her upcoming solo movie.

Ragnarok:

°Heimdall first teases Ragnarok and the fact they will lose in Thor's vision, which prompted him to fly back home to Asgard.

Ironman to save everyone

°The visions of defeat he saw in this film haunt him, but he was, in the end, able to use that fear to defeat Thanos in Endgame, thus saving everyone.

°Captain almost picking up Mjolnir.

°The first mention of the word "Endgame".

At the time of its release it was met with mixed reviews mostly because it was too muddy, yeah it had to to tell its own story, all while setting up the next four years of Marvel films. This movie deserve nothing but our utmost respect.

AGE OF ULTRON is the second of the assembled Avengers movies, following on from the exemplary AVENGERS ASSEMBLE. This one's a lesser film by definition, although it still packs in enough endless action sequences and CGI spectacle to take your mind off the problems with the plot and scripting. There really isn't too much to say now in a review of a film of this calibre, as the previous comments stand. The action is hard-hitting, well-choreographed, and breathless, with the huge budget being put to great use in the depiction of colossal events. Mark Ruffalo is the most valuable player, as usual, with Scarlet Johansson close behind, although my personal favourite is newcomer Elizabeth Olsen who has a storm as Scarlet Witch. AGE OF ULTRON is the typical summer blockbuster, a film that virtually demands you switch off your brain and just sit back and enjoy.

No matter how much 'Avengers'/Marvel detractors go out of their way to suggest that those who legitimately like the 'Avengers' films and Marvel's output are wrong and invent ridiculous conspiracy theories without proof, this reviewer loved 'Avengers Assemble' while acknowledging that it wasn't perfect.

'Avengers: Age of Ultron' is a solid sequel, though not as good as 'Assemble' and not without its flaws. There are a few longueurs in the pacing, as a result of a few overlong scenes that don't go very far (as admirable as it was to do more with Hawkeye's character, the farm scene did grind the film to a halt somewhat),parts that were not as developed as one would have liked or didn't add much to the film and some of the many characters are more interesting than others.

While one does admire that more was attempted to be done with Hawkeye, he still felt underwritten and not always necessary. Ultron, despite a cool appearance and chilling voice work from James Spader, is an underdeveloped, not very interesting and one-dimensional villain and doesn't pose enough of a threat. And while most of the comedy is funny and witty, there are moments that jar too much when the scene is serious or intense and it spoils the mood.

However, 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' looks fantastic, very slickly shot and edited with sumptuous and atmospheric set and costume design and quite spectacular special effects. The music avoids being overbearing or over-bombastic, as well as avoiding being too quirky or one-note. Joss Whedon ensures that the fun and tension rarely slips and that a good deal of the characterisation is interesting, visually and stylistically there is nothing to fault here.

Furthermore, the film is wittily, cleverly and intelligently scripted with a good deal of the tonal shifts handled well with only some jarring humour disappointing. While not perfect in execution, the story is absorbing, there are plenty of fun moments, thrillingly choreographed and executed action scenes (especially the earth-shattering climax) and while it could have been developed a little more and could have been less forced when introduced Hulk and Black Widow's relationship is given admirably sensitive treatment here.

The film's characters are mostly interesting and engaging, not complex but that wasn't expected. The acting is impeccable, Robert Downey Jnr, Chris Hemsworth and Chris Evans really excel in roles tailor made for them, while Scarlett Johansson gives a fearless intensity to Black Widow and Mark Ruffalo is by far the best and most layered live-action Hulk. As said, James Spader is chilling as the voice of Ultron, and one does wish that more was done with the character, Paul Bettany and Samuel L. Jackson are great value and Aaron Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen play the newcomer roles with plenty of fire. Jeremy Renner does what he can.

Overall, a solid sequel if not as good as 'Avengers Assemble'. 7/10 Bethany Cox