It's everything the first movie was, tons of action, special effects, etc. Though like all things Marvel these days it can be confusing if you're not already familiar with the continuity. I can imagine someone who hasn't been watching these Marvel movies scratching their head throughout much of this film because it draws a lot from what you're expected to already know. It's serialized movie making, not something I'm used to, but I dig it.
There was a lot more going on in this movie than the first, so you have to really pay attention and a LOT of characters get screen time. The movie is in danger of bursting at the seems, but to its credit never actually does. I feel that way sometimes when watching Agents of S.HI.I.E.L.D. too. The Marvel onscreen universe if just getting so freaking big lately with so many characters and so much continuity. That said, everyone got to shine and I never struggled to follow the plot. There are threads that could maybe have been expanded on a bit more (like what the fuck Thor was doing when he just goes off on his own, seemingly to go star in his own movie before returning to this one LOL), but the movie already clocks in at roughly two and a half hours long.
Thor and Iron man get the bulk of the movie's laugh out loud moments, while Hawkeye is the guy you get most emotionally invested in. His role in this movie is much stronger than in the first one. He's the closest the audience gets to a guy with our point of view as the dude with no super powers, something the movie emphasizes. Plus, the fact that he's just more "normal" than the rest of the team. Particularly when contrasted to Black Widow who seems close to dehumanized by what she is and what she does (a theme in Winter Soldier as well). Speaking of her, she's her usual bad ass, gorgeous self in this film, and Hulk does a lot of smashing. He's seriously a fucking force of nature in this movie. Jesus Christ. Cap is still the boy scout who is always preaching to everyone and getting jokes made at his expense (one ends up being a running gag throughout the whole movie). You know these characters by now, and they all pretty much do what you expect of them.
Great movie, it's hard to say if it's better than the first, but it's certainly no worse. The thing is, it's starting to feel like we've seen it all in super hero movies and Age of Ultron doesn't really do anything new, it just does what it does really well. Guardians of the Galaxy is special I think because it was a super hero movie that didn't really have super heroes or even just plain heroes, they were a group of misfits and Han Solo types. And it also had characters that were new to most of the audience. Also, I think Guardians had a bit more of an old school Star Wars movie feel to it than a comic book super hero movie. That "freshness" of Guardians isn't really in Age of Ultron. I think people disappointed with it are just experiencing super hero movie burnout.
I haven't seen this weeks Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. yet, but not much in the movie seemed to tie into the show that I could tell. Although, we get some back story on Black Widow that will resonate more for people who have seen Agent Carter (which just got renewed by the way)
The Ant Man trailer looked awesome
