I’ve never seen Iron Man before. Here’s what I thought.
Marvel afficiendos, you’ll get a kick out of this. I haven’t seen many Marvel movies. Well, really any of the early films. So I’m starting a new project: first time Marvel watches!
I’m going to watch the films in release order, so the first one on the list was 2008’s Iron Man. Starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, the film set the precedent for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here’s what I thought.
1. I’m used to the new Marvel Studios intro logo, so this comic book one is adorable!
2. AC/DC’s “Back in Black” plays right off the bat — pretty much how I expected this movie to start.
3. I think I’m going to enjoy watching Robert Downey Jr. in these movies. I miss him on my screen!
4. These soldiers are such Tony Stark fan boys and girls it’s so funny.
5. Now that’s what we call a photo bomb!
6. A torture scene in Afghanistan? Well I definitely didn’t see that opening coming!
7. Is Tony Stark….Elon Musk?
8. THE DUDE!!! Yes, I will refer to Jeff Bridges’ character as the Dude from this point out.
9. Ugh Tony is such a bro. No wonder so many guys in middle school and high school were obsessed with this movie.
10. Another awful portrayal of a reporter, who would have thought?
11. Dear Hollywood, enough with the “reporter sleeping with the source” trope. Sincerely, a reporter.
12. Me: Sees Tony Stark’s home. Me: Immediately wonders how much this house would cost on Zillow.
13. “Taking out the trash”: Sassy Gwyneth, now we’re talking!
14. Tony and Pepper have cute banter, I dig them.
15. Rhodey needs to get a new friend. First the award ceremony, now waiting for Tony for three hours! Unacceptable!
16. What do bros do on a private jet? Drink and have a party with the flight attendants.
17. Hmmm, I don’t know about this pro-weapons of mass destruction talk that Tony is holding in Afghanistan, but that missile effect was very cool.
18. This cell phone is INSANE! I forgot about a pre-iPhone society.
19. Yes, I almost definitely threw up watching him yank that tube out of his nose.
20. Oh boy they certainly did a number on Mr. Stark. Is this the beginning of Iron Man?
21. Once again, I did not have a torture scene or Tony forced to build a mass murder weapon on the “Iron Man” bingo card.
22. Tony: “Who are these people?” Yinsen: “They are your loyal customers.” OOOOH!! Way to show him how truly awful his company is!
23. The beginning of the Iron Man suit!! Maybe this Tony guy is smart and not just a bro after all.
24. A sweaty and buff Robert Downey Jr.? Now we’re talking.
25. Tony can break through doors and kill any man in sight, but his biggest enemy is getting his arm stuck in a rock. Iconic.
26. No, not Yinsen!! RIP king.
27. Ooof, that landing really must have hurt. But, hey, at least he’s out of there.
28. And now, ladies and gentlemen, the worst place you could possibly be stuck in: the desert.
29. Rhodey to the rescue!
30. He wants a cheeseburger and goes to Burger King? Really, Tony?
31. If only press conferences could be as open, honest and shocking as this one. Sigh.
32. The Mad Money guy has waited his entire life for this moment.
33. Pepper, come on, put some gloves on when you’re yanking wires out of someone’s body!
34. And so now Pepper is supposed to continue on with her day like she didn’t just pull wires out of her boss? Alrighty.
35. Is that Jarvis/Vision I hear?
36. Obviously the visual effects are crazy good in new Marvel movies, but I’m really digging how much more based in “reality” this movie is.
37. Good job, Tony, be responsible and stand up for what’s right, no matter what the Dude says!
38. So you’re telling me Tony has a mega mansion with massive square footage and he’s doing these suit tests right next to his fancy cars that are absolutely going to get ruined? No other space available? Probably the most unbelievable part of this movie.
39. Even I have to admit that’s a sexy looking gold suit. And I like it more than the red one!
40. Can you even imagine what it would be like to fly in this suit? I think some Dramamine would definitely be needed.
41. Omg he’s going for the moon? He really IS Elon Musk!
42. And there goes the car in the garage! Didn’t see that coming.
43. “Proof that Tony Stark had a heart” awww Pepper!!
44. Tony didn’t destroy his suit plans in Afghanistan!?! Are you kidding me???
45. Drivers like Tony Stark — speeding and weaving in and out of traffic — are the bane of my existence.
46. Awww Stan Lee sighting!
47. Pepper looks gorgeous in that blue dress! Queen!
48. If you’re still reading this, I just got some cookie butter ice cream out of the freezer and it’s delicious. OK, back to the movie.
49. The Dude strikes back! And he’s a Bad Dude!
50. OK, I do take it back, the red and gold suit is pretty badass. And it has some cool features. I want one!
51. Oh no, the Dude has been a part of the mayhem all along! Can’t say I didn’t see this coming, but it’s still so sad to see Jeff Bridges be a bad guy.
52. Why does no one lock any doors behind them? It literally would prevent many dramatic entrances and plans from being spoiled, cough cough Pepper.
53. The tension between Pepper and the Dude is so fierce.
54. Don’t tell me that Tony also forgot to lock his damn doors! GUYS!
55. Sorry to knock you down, Dude, but I think a world without the atomic bomb would be pretty great.
56. This glowing orb in the Dude’s suitcase just reminded me of the suitcase in “Pulp Fiction.”
57. Pepper: “I know a shortcut.” Girl, those don’t exist in LA and you know it.
58. Come on Tony save yourself with Pepper’s adorable gift! Keep going!
59. The machine helped him!!! Nothing but respect for MY MVP!
60. Rhodey said it best: “Damn.”
61. So it takes Tony some time to figure out how his suit works, but the Dude can figure it out immediately?
62. I’m convinced that Tony Stark is literally the cause of all LA traffic jams.
63. Why does the Dude’s suit remind me so much of The Iron Giant.
64. The good old icing problem here to save the day.
65. Actually more like Pepper is here to save the day!
66. Bye Dude, won’t miss ya.
67. The government really is here to make rich people’s lives easy and clear them of mess.
68. And there it is: “I am Iron Man”
69. Why, hello, Nick Fury. I had no idea he was part of the movies from the start.
Overall Thought On Iron Man
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by Iron Man. First of all, I had no idea this is how the grand MCU got started, and it was quite an exciting start. Second, it was a great character introduction film that stands apart from a lot of the other Marvel films I’ve seen. “Iron Man” felt a lot more rooted in reality and looked more like a regular action/sci-fi film rather than the superhero movies I’m used to today.
Tony Stark’s story was more focused on his morals and personal work rather than chasing after alien creatures or going to other worlds. With that, I really enjoyed the “natural” look of this film instead of relying on so much CGI for every scene. Sure, this movie came out in 2008 and we didn’t have the advanced technology that we do today, but I still liked seeing this more grounded Marvel project.
When it does rely on CGI — like with Tony’s suit and the fight sequence at the end — I think it’s used really well and looks believable. The cast is also great here. Downey is a ton of fun and a great pick for this character, and I love the dynamic between him, Paltrow and Terrence Howard. Jeff Bridges was a brilliant villain, and I’m sad to see him go.
Overall, I’m looking forward to the next few Iron Man movies and seeing where his journey takes us.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Next: Here’s Why The Future Of The MCU Is Bright
About Iron Man
A billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), is conducting weapons tests overseas, but terrorists kidnap him to force him to build a devastating weapon. Instead, he builds an armored suit and upends his captors. Returning to America, Stark refines the suit and uses it to combat crime and terrorism.
