This is what watching superhero movies for one week taught me

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

My experience with Avengers: Age of Ultron proved to be a learning experience on many fronts. It’s the first time I figured out Stan Lee made Hitchcockian appearances in his own movies, meaning these are Marvel characters.

That’s right. I knew some of the players, but I had zero idea what team they played for. Yes, I did recognize Lee, and I’m not sure how other than luck and The Big Bang Theory.

I also regretted a previous decision made months earlier to DVR The Avengers, watch roughly half and then delete the rest, assuming I’d never try again. I searched high and low, exhausted all of my limited resources, but I would have to dish out cash to complete the first Avengers. So I decided to wing it.

I had high hopes missing the first movie wouldn’t greatly impede my ability to enjoy this one. They had me until introducing Vision, and then it all fell apart right there. You have to learn two plus two equals four before you can tackle trigonometry.

This is also when I had the revelation I couldn’t just watch the Avengers films. Every single phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe includes movies that tie into one another, forming a complex web that would do Spider-Man proud.

I knew I was really in over my head, and then I got mad. What a racket! I would have to sit though 10 movies to have a shot at walking away from Avengers: Age of Ultron without my head exploding.

The exclusivity of it all infuriated me. At least George Lucas numbered Star Wars, meaning if you can count, you’ve got a good road map to follow.

There are a ton of franchises out there that are meant to be watched in a particular order. Lord of the Rings: Return of the King doesn’t make much sense if you haven’t seen The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers. Three is one thing, but 10 is just … insane. This isn’t a franchise, this is a way of life.

I refused to let this beat me, so I did the next best thing, I got even. I turned to DC.