I feel sure you're quite right. Movies are no longer movies (hell, books seem to be like this too): they're the start of a franchise. I'm beginning to really hate that word. It's one more formulization of something that is already so formulaic you can tick off each of the little events before they happen: the meet-cute, the smart-ass exchanges that are presumably meant to tell the audience these two won't end up in a clinch (though of course they do), the hint of backstory during a pause in explosions, the little moment, usually at night, when everyone's quiet before the big climactic battle and the heroine (or co-star) "stumbles" across the hero (or co-star) for a little heart-to-heart ... it's painful how formulaic they all are. They're even visually formulaic.

Sigh. Yes. I'm old. Like you, I'm not the intended audience. When all I can see is the nuts and bolts, I'm no longer interested in watching.

EDIT TO ADD FURTHER RANT. And another thing ... how quickly can we get the female character's clothes off while still pretending she's an actual character and not just a piece of ass for everyone to ogle ... sigh ...

*Edit to add: I should point out this is about your generic blockbusters or wannabe blockbusters. There are interesting and offbeat movies being made.