The Fundamental Difference Between The Avengers and Age of Ultron

When Iron Man came out in 2007, it was relatively unremarkable. Several other superhero one-offs were in already in play including X-Men, Spider-Man, and Batman. Iron Man was definitely better than the average, but didn't stand out too much, except for one thing. The post credit scene gave audiences a promise: we're going somewhere with this, The Avengers are coming. Every Phase I film contributed to that goal. Each one was an opening act and The Avengers was the main event. The same cannot be said for Age of Ultron which has more in common with Iron Man 2.

Wolverine and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Films

Second only to The Dark Knight Trilogy and The Marvel Cinematic Universe, X-Men is among the most successful superhero film franchises of the 21st century.  The original film was among the opening lineup of what has become a very popular Hollywood genre.  That said, there have been some very noticeable missteps in some of the films and the harshest criticisms are leveled at the Wolverine spin-off films; 2009's X-Men Origins: Wolverine and 2013's The Wolverine.  At face value, this seems a contradiction.  Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine, has headlined all the other successful films of the series except one, so why are the films so much weaker with a different supporting cast.  Blame is thrown around to writing, direction, casting and other things, but after some research, I think I've pinpointed the root of the problem to the business management of the series by its studio, 20th Century Fox.

Guide to the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 1 & 2

PHASE I
Iron Man 
This is the first film and assumes as much. It very gradually introduces the audience to a superhero character before dropping the bomb of that it's only the beginning of a larger universe. 

The Incredible Hulk
This film is stylistically similar to Iron Man and expands on the "larger universe" that Iron Man promised. We get our first character with actual powers. 

Iron Man 2
This film escalates the universe and begins really putting pieces in place for The Avengers. The post credit scene sets up Thor. 

One Shot: A Funny Happened on the Way to Thor's Hammer (on the Captain America Blu Ray)
This is an optional little interlude that expands on Agent Coulson on his way to the events of Thor. 

Thor
Expands the cosmic side of universe and gives the biggest glimpse into SHIELD. It further sets up The Avengers by introducing its villain and the terrasect. 

One Shot: The Consultant (on the Thor Blu Ray)
Functions as an epilogue to Thor and explains the closing scene from Hulk and precisely when those events took place. 

Captain America: The First Avenger
Though chronologically the first of the series, it relies on Thor to make sense. The bookend scenes also take place almost immediately before The Avengers. 

The Avengers
An act one finale to the events to date. This is the climax to stories from all five previous films and sets up the future of the series.