"Ultimately that’s the real problem with Age of Ultron, the consequences don’t seem that high. Partly that’s because we’ve previously seen bigger stakes in the likes of Thor: The Dark World and Guardians it’s also because it’s all starting to seem a bit familiar. Seeing this crew coming together in The Avengers was exciting and new and the possibility of extraterrestrial interference and the threat of Thanos was big and bold and terrifying. But with two films a year, they’re going to have to change up the formula.
There’s also the issue of Marvel revealing their upcoming slate. For example we know that the massive Infinity War will be covered in two films in the future and that Civil War is on the way in Captain America 3. Together with a planned Thor threequel it’s pretty clear that certain things aren’t going to change this time around so Age of Ultron actually has very little effect on the state of play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
That’s a shame, especially given all the work which Joss Whedon has put into getting this franchise to where it is today. There’s also a bit of a sense of fatigue about the picture, a little less energy and zing which suggests now is a good time for him to bow out, as he’s decided to do."
