Avengers: Age of Ultron is without a doubt an underrated Marvel film. I say this as someone who walked out of the theater feeling seriously underwhelmed by it.

And, yes, Captain America: The Winter Soldier set an incredibly high bar for anything coming after it.

Sometime later, I caught the film from the beginning during one of the TBS Marvel marathons while visiting a relative and realized, by the end, that it was a much better movie than it seemed.

Judged on its own merits, separate from political intrigue, pathos and plot twists of 'Winter Soldier', I rank it among the most enjoyable Marvel productions.

Initially, James Spader's Ultron was my least favorite element of the film. Though I had high expectations going in (Gen Xer here), his voice came across as much too...human for me. But it bothered me less the second time, and I've probably seen the movie four times altogether since the theatrical viewing.

With regard to Hawkeye, I'm completely with you. Same goes for Thor: Dark World and GOTG2. Ant-Man and the Wasp was super fun departure from the proven Marvel movie formula. At least on the surface. And I enjoyed every single bit of it.

Thinking back on Hawkeye, he's the understated heart of the Avengers universe. Or the human equivalent of an arc reactor. His interactions with Natasha in 'Winter Soldier' and 'Endgame', with Kate Bishop in the Hawkeye series, with Wanda in 'Ultron', and with his wife and kids throughout the entire franchise are deeply affecting. He's the family man with two families he his heart completely invested in. Anyone who disagrees can...suck a trick arrow.

Oh...As I was about to close, I remembered that last scene (no spolier for the laggards) with Quicksilver on the SHIELD Helicarrier. As if I hadn't already made a clear case for Hawkeye as the understated heart of the Avengers, this recollection only further strengthens my case.

Well, unless you've already made these same points in your defense of Hawkeye. LOL