Iron Man – The Movie That Started the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Pedal-to-the-metal action and dazzling special effects fuel this gleaming superhero thrill ride. Robert Downey Jr. shines as munitions magnate Tony Stark, whose technology powers his sleek, stylish suit of armor and allows him to take on villains bent on world domination. Gwyneth Paltrow provides support as his girl Friday, Pepper Potts. Directed with deft intelligence and infectious charm by Jon Favreau, this film sets the bar high for its Marvel brethren.

Iron Man is the movie that started the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s also the movie that arguably defines what it means to be a superhero. Downey is a revelation as the arrogant weapons mogul turned hulking mechanical rocket man, juggling his glib, narcissistic wit one moment and conjuring credibly somber emotion the next. And while he may not have the star quality of Tobey Maguire or Christian Bale, Downey is more than capable of carrying this movie on his thin shoulders.

The film’s greatest strength is its refusal to treat Stark like a comic book cliché. There’s no radioactive spider bite here, or exposure to gamma rays; instead, the superhero’s origin story involves an archetypal woeful sinner finding redemption and purpose in his own self-absorption. This makes it a more believable character than the ones that preceded it, and it ensures that the viewer will root for this avenger to succeed.

While some have complained that this isn’t a true “Marvel” movie because it doesn’t feature any other heroes, the truth is that Marvel had always planned to team up their heroes into an ensemble film — and that plan worked beautifully in this case. Iron Man paves the way for the Avengers, and it wouldn’t have worked nearly as well any other way.

As an early entry in the MCU, this film is an absolute must-see for comic fans, and it’s even entertaining for those who aren’t into superheroes or action films. It sets the standard for the other films in its ilk, and it features a cast that is unmatched in its depth and variety.

It’s hard to believe that it’s been nearly a decade since this film was first released, and it still looks as fresh and exciting as ever. There’s something about the combination of Downey’s vibrant charm and the mind-blowing special effects that makes this movie stand out from all of its competition.

There are few superhero movies out there as fun as this one, and it’s the perfect introduction to the MCU.