Iron Man - Avengers: Infinity War Marvel MCU Marathon
So, as we know, Avengers: Infinity War will mark 10 years of Marvel Studios. It will also be the end of this first chapter for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Because of its significance, I want to go back and rewatch all the Marvel movies.
While I've often told people to watch Captain America: The First Avenger first if you wanted to watch things in chronological order on the timeline. However, having watched Iron Man again now, I actually think it important to watch Iron Man first for historical purposes.
Before I move forward, there may be spoilers for Iron Man in here.
Anyway, if 1978's Superman: The Movie showed us a man could fly, Iron Man showed a man could fly again...in an armored suit.
Iron Man wasn't the first Marvel character adapted to the big screen...not even close...but there is just something magic in it. I think it captured the spirit of the comic by breaking Tony Stark down to the basics. We see Tony's ascent from boozer playboy to hero. It feels honest.I think people could identify with him.
And so, a character lesser known to the public became an overnight star.
I've talked before about how, prior to this film, I stopped reading Marvel comics for a while because of my disdain of the comic book event Civil War and how it made me hate Tony Stark. So, I remember not being excited to see it.
But, wow. By the end of the film, I was a believer again. And watching it again, I am reminded of this.
While one can argue about Pepper Potts being a damsel in distress in this movie, I do think Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert Downey, Jr. have a great chemistry that has lasted over four (and soon to be five) films. Paltrow's trademark level of awkwardness gave her a level of relatability that is part of the equation in this film. It might appear that all Pepper does is keep Tony together, but there is a certain strength to that. And, in the end, it is actually Pepper who defeated Obidiah Stane's Iron Monger and not Tony. He needs her and this movie is as much a love story as it is an action film.
Now, don't hate me, but I liked Terrence Howard as James "Rhodey" Rhodes. I never really thought Marvel Studios has gotten this character quite right, but I though Howard was better as Rhodey than Don Cheadle. Don't get me wrong. I love Don Cheadle, but he doesn't remind me at all of the character. I always picture Rhodey being beefier. It's too bad that Howard and Downey, Jr. did not get along. That said, even though Cheadle doesn't physically remind me of Rhodey, he's got the spirit.
It was also fun seeing Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) in his first MCU appearance now that we've seen him developed over several films and five seasons of Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Agent Coulson is the one who introduced S.H.I.E.L.D. to the MCU which would soon become a household name.
But, its Samuel L. Jackson's appearance as Nick Fury in the post credits scene that drives S.H.I.E.L.D. home. That scene is also another reason I think it important to watch this film first. To not would diminish Fury's introduction.
Stan Lee cameo: A playboy attending the Stark fundraiser at the Disney Concert Hall.
Its amazing to think that Iron Man was 10 years ago. You can definitely see the roots, but, to me, it still feels remarkably fresh.
So, on to the next films. Since I only have 16 days before I see Avengers: Infinity War, I may have to release a couple of blogs during the days in the couple weeks ahead.