There are plenty of good reasons to love Iron Man, and Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow make a fantastic pairing as the superhero and his personal assistant. Their relationship has had its fair share of problems over the years, but they always manage to patch things up and kick butt together.
However, their most enduring moment may be the scene from Iron Man 2 where they kiss for the first time. This is a pretty big deal, especially for the MCU, as it’s been a long time since a major superhero couple has locked lips in one of these movies.
It also marks a major turning point for the character and his relationship with Pepper. It’s a sign that Tony has begun to overcome his trauma from the Battle of New York, and he starts to realize that he needs to focus on what really matters in his life. It’s an important lesson for anyone, and it’s especially meaningful for these two people who have worked so hard to build their own lives.
But even more than that, it’s a sign that they have finally started to find a place for themselves in this world. They’ve both learned to accept what they can and cannot control, and they have a better understanding of each other as people. This is something that’s missing from a lot of superhero relationships, and it’s why these two are such an excellent team.
Iron Man is a fun movie, and it’s no surprise that it’s become such a hit. It departs from the typical superhero script in a number of ways, but it’s the performances that really make the difference. Downey and writer/director Shane Black keep the focus on the character, not his armor, and they do a fantastic job of it. The film is filled with the character’s wicked goatee and irony, but it also has an impenetrable aura of self-love that makes it truly special.
As for the rest of the cast, the performances are solid across the board. Joe Ahearne is great as the villain Sunset Bain, and Karl Kesel and Eric Nguyen are equally strong in their roles as the henchmen. But the real star of this film is Black Widow, who proves that she can hold her own against any spy in the MCU. She and Tony go undercover in Russia to take down a foe who stole some of his decommissioned technology, and they do so in style.