Absolutely, unequivocally, YES! It’s the one that started it all. That’s the reason why this Iron Man movie review is the first review I’m posting.
For me, there’s a very close competition between two movies for the title of my favourite Marvel superhero movie: Iron Man and Avengers: Infinity War (yes, yes, Avengers: Endgame had many, MANY wow moments and is considered peak Marvel by several people, but I consider Infinity War a superior movie when it comes to storytelling. Don’t hate me for it!). However, since Iron Man is the movie that carries a charisma like no other, a spark like no other, the power to make me a die-hard fan of superhero movies and introduced me to who would go on to become my favourite superhero, Iron Man is my favourite Marvel movie.
If I had to give my Iron Man movie review, it would be lacking completeness if I didn’t mention the sheer brilliance of Robert Downey Jr. first. What an extraordinarily talented actor! The way he owns the role of Tony Stark and almost single-handedly carries the entire movie on his shoulders is a sight to behold, a sight that is 2 hours and 6 minutes long.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD. DON’T READ FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO KNOW HOW AWESOME THE MOVIE IS OR WANT TO AVOID DEETS ABOUT OTHER MARVEL MOVIES!
Iron Man: Review
Watching Iron Man is like experiencing the Big Bang of the MCU. Every time, I tell you. The sound of the flipping pages of Marvel comics set my adrenaline rushing from the first time I saw it. It’s an action movie that makes you feel good every time you watch it.
One of the highlights of this movie (and Marvel movies, in general) is the way they build the character. The portrayal of his/her life’s backstory and how the circumstances of the past shaped the individual in the future. That’s what makes for a memorable experience.
It’s the same for Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.). His story can be thought of as a metamorphosis. He starts as a genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist (his famous words from The Avengers), is thrown into the depths of society’s evil, only to see how his actions are bringing harm to the very people he means to protect, and then rises again (quite high literally) to become a beacon of hope for people who have given up the hope of being saved.
Tony Stark as a Genius at Humour
How would my Iron Man movie review look if I didn’t highlight the comic genius of Tony Stark? Robert Downey Jr.’s talent is not limited to his acting prowess. It’s his spontaneity that gives him the edge over the entire Iron Man cast. His puns are timed impeccably and mostly leave his audience speechless. It’s like he’s Deadpool but much, much less talkative and without expletives.
His interactions with Pepper Potts (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) are entertaining, to say the least. Despite his eccentric behaviour, Pepper stands by him through thick and thin. Starting from the time when he had to change his crude Arc reactor that he built in captivity to an upgraded version, to the time when he announced at the end that he was Iron Man, Pepper proved herself time and again as his trusted manager cum assistant.
Throw in Stan Lee’s cameo as Hugh Hefner at the fundraiser party and his little interaction with Stark, and you’ve got those little moments of enjoyable laughter.
Setting the Ambience Just Right with Sound Effects
The background score is one of the key components of any movie that really brings out the depth of the storyline and the scenes. It’s one of those things that really generate the user experience and evoke the audience’s emotions as the filmmakers intend to do. It’s essential I highlight that in my film review of Iron Man.
When Tony was building the faceplate of the Mark I armour, the banging of the hammer was such a signature sound that it was used at the end of Endgame as a way to bring the Infinity Saga a full circle, right to the point from where it all began.
Similarly, the background score when he shows his crude first attempt at his suit to escape captivity, the echoing thumping sounds as he starts walking out of the cave where he was kept, or his first flight in the Mark II all enhance the movie experience more than we realise (even compelling me to write this Iron Man movie review).
Pepper, Rhodey and Coulson
It’s true that the people who actually care about your well-being are very few. Fortunately, for an extremely proud and irresponsible person like Tony, he has Pepper and Rhodey (played by Terrence Howard) to keep him on track. While the relationship between Tony and Pepper gradually progresses and Pepper becomes his love interest, Rhodey continues to be his faithful friend till the end.
Although Don Cheadle played the role of Rhodey in Iron Man 2 and the subsequent movies, Terrence Howard did a great job in this one. The friendship dynamic between him and Stark was conveyed beautifully. I would have loved to see him don the Mark II armour (as he said, “Next time, baby” when he saw the suit hanging in Stark’s workshop), but Don Cheadle also did great justice to the role.
Another superb addition to the movie was Agent Phil Coulson (played by Clark Gregg) from the Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division (yes, it’s a mouthful, as many people had already told him that, and hence, he tells it’s S.H.I.E.L.D. towards the end of the movie). While he would go on to play a leading role in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the future, he acted in a crucial supporting role in the movie, creating the link between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers.
Want to know how was the second part of this masterpiece? Read my review of Iron Man 2.
J.A.R.V.I.S. Matches Stark’s Wit and Sarcasm
Since Stark built J.A.R.V.I.S. (voiced by Paul Bettany, who would go on to play and become the freaking awesome Vision), he probably built him in his own image. The sharp comebacks and the sarcastic undertones in his responses all make J.A.R.V.I.S. a great addition to the film’s cast.
The way he’s always up to take up any task that Stark assigns to him and how he’s always there to support him whenever he needs help is heartening to see. Don’t we all wish we have someone like that, on who we can always count upon? J.A.R.V.I.S. is more human than we would assume, and that’s lovely.
Who is the Villain in Iron Man?
Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges) has done a great job of playing the villain in the film. The fact that the villain is in the same league as the hero, with an armoured suit and a desire to bathe in fame, makes him very relatable. He’s not some superpowered alien who is facing off against several human heroes (although that is what we loved in Infinity War and Endgame). Being just another flawed human who’s had enough of living in the shadow of the great Tony Stark makes Obadiah a great antagonist.
It was a super twist to show that the terrorist we thought was the main villain was just a pawn being used by Obadiah. Things like these keep the story interesting and engaging, just like this Iron Man movie review, I hope.
Best Iron Man Scenes
According to me, the best scenes from the movie are the following (it was very difficult to make this list since every scene of this film is a masterpiece):
- When Pepper goes down to Tony’s workshop where he’s working on a car engine. She tells him that his plane is going to leave to which he responds, “That’s funny. I thought with it being my plane and all, that it would just wait for me to get there. I mean, doesn’t it defeat the whole purpose of having your own plane if it departs before you arrive.” Damn hilarious!
- The whole process of creating his own miniaturised Arc reactor while in captivity.
- The whole conversation when he asks Pepper to replace his first miniaturised Arc reactor with an improved version he built at home. Entertaining.
- At home when he starts working on the Mark II armour. Stark’s keyboard looks so cool with its custom symbols! And the way he applauds and scolds his robotic assistants is amusing. When he uses just 10% of thrust capacity, the way he launches right into the upper wall behind him. Probably very hurtful but very funny. A completely harmless flight stabiliser that threw him back several metres, to top it all!
- His first flight in the Mark II. Love the heads-up display. Insane scene!
- The suit-up scene after Christine shows Tony that his company is still shipping out weapons and shows him the photos taken in Gulmira. Oh, the intricate details of the suiting up and the background score! THIS HAS TO BE THE GREATEST SCENE EVER!!!
- The way he lands in Gulmira from the sky. Now, that’s what I call a superhero landing!
- The explosion walk after he fires his tiny missile at the tank that brought him down. What swag!
- The dogfight with the two F-22s.
- When Obadiah blurts out on his engineer building a suit for him, “TONY STARK WAS ABLE TO BUILD THIS IN A CAVE, WITH A BOX OF SCRAPS.” To which the engineer innocently and meekly replies, “Well, I’m sorry. I’m not Tony Stark.” Loved it.
- When he announces at the press conference after his fight with Obadiah (aka Iron Monger), “I am Iron Man.” A dialogue so iconic that it was used again in Endgame.
- When Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson) visits Tony at his home and introduces him to “The Avenger Initiative”. A taste of the stupendous things we didn’t know were lined up for the future.
Is Iron Man 1 Hit or Flop? Wrapping Up My Marvel Movie Review
Honestly, anyone who asks this question needs to seriously ponder their movie and entertainment choices. With an Iron Man rating of 7.9 on IMDb and a score of 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s one of the best offerings of the MCU.
So, go on and watch this masterpiece and come back to tell me you loved it. Because you will, just as I do. Every time.
5 replies on “Iron Man Movie Review: Is Iron Man Worth Watching?”
Truuuuu that. But am #teamcap
Sometimes, even I’m Team Cap. Only sometimes, though.
Great !!!!
Already watched this movie more than 20 times. Reading your blog felt like rewatching the movie all over again. Great work
Thank you, brother! Means a lot. I’ll strive to continue writing like this.