Recent additions to the Marvel Universe may be less than satisfying, but the opening weekend of May 2008 all the buzz was about the first Iron Man. Before the release, no one truly knew what director Jon Favreau had in store for Marvel’s hard living metal-suited superhero’s introduction to the world. In short order we were wowed with an amazingly fun film. Robert Downey Jr. possessed a glinting wit in that first movie which made Iron Man incredibly watchable over multiple viewings. Though he had worked hard to earn the role, he was the perfect casting choice for the superstar show-off who likes to live on —— and frequently over —- the edge.
The series begins when arms dealer and playboy Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) gets a taste of his own medicine, as his own products are used to ambush and kidnap him in Afghanistan. The attack also leaves him with shrapnel heading straight for his heart. An electromagnet in his chest is the only thing keeping the shrapnel from killing him. Held captive and being forced to build a missile, he instead invents a souped-up robotic suit to escape and becomes the crime-fighting Iron Man.
Stark’s arrogance also leads to another interesting turn of events. You see Batman might pronounce to the bad guys “I’m Batman”, but not Bruce Wayne. However, Stark has the big metal cajones to announce it at a press conference.
And what a brilliant turn it was. The stroke of genius was giving us the opportunity to see what happens after Stark says “I am Iron Man.” We’re then going down a different journey than say, Spider-Man and Batman, which are secret identity movies. Choosing to go the road less traveled and now everyone knows who he is. He was famous to begin with, and now he’s even more famous. Future films would navigate the difficulties of what it’s like to be both Iron Man and Tony Stark in the public eye.
Speaking of future films, banking serious numbers at the box office, the origin story led to increased expectations from Ol’ Shellhead. Captain America, is of course, labeled ‘The First Avenger’ but it was Iron Man’s success that opened the door for the creation of The Avengers.
Iron Man establishes the tone for the entire MCU. When Marvel committed to make the universe, Iron Man 2 lays the foundation for the other movies. But it was another stroke of genius on the part of Favreau that really got things going when he decided to have Nick Fury appear after the credits in Iron Man. That Easter egg scene gave us an introduction to The Avenger Initiative and launched an ongoing role for Samuel L. Jackson. So it was these little impulsive decisions by Favreau that set in motion an entire franchise.
Iron Man 2 would also make a couple more introductions. Not only did James Rhodes (this time portrayed by Don Cheadle) take on the mantle of fellow suit-warrior War Machine, but we also got our first glimpse of Black Widow in the shapely form of Scarlett Johansson. With no origin movie of her own, it turned out to be an important debut. Then The Avengers assembled, a multi-franchise blowout that ripped the roof off summer 2012. You may ask yourself what exactly does a genius, billionaire, philanthropist playboy do after saving the world?
Well, as it turns out he’s having a tough time. To quote Stark himself, “Nothing’s been the same since New York. I can’t sleep. And when I do, I have nightmares…” When we catch up with Stark, those restless nights are understandable. After all, he did just help prevent Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity. But there were casualties in the fight and ones that Stark is grappling with. Still Iron Man leads the way in this funny, twisty and thrilling solo flight.
Incoming director and co-writer Shane Black propelled this Iron Man movie like a nuke-fueled rocket, proving he has a sure hand when it comes to delivering juggernaut action. Downey Jr. was fine in form too, never more so than in his relationship with Tennessee kid named Harley (Ty Simpkins). Iron Man 3 satisfies thanks in no small part to a rug-pulling narrative. Complex and deep it was not; but as a two-hour adrenaline shot, Iron Man 3 delivered.
And audiences agreed. Proving that Iron Man’s appeal had anything, but dimmed, Iron Man 3 would become the second highest-grossing film of 2013. And now that we are a few years removed from Endgame, I look back and salute our favorite Shellhead, Iron Man. Frankly, there would have been no Avengers without him.
Lee Pittman – June 15, 2024
