Iron Man

The true miracle of Iron Man isn't just that it launched the biggest cinematic franchise of all time - it's that it works so well on its own terms. Made without a finished script and relying heavily on actor improvisation, the film somehow emerges as a cohesive, emotionally resonant origin story that still holds up nearly two decades later. Robert Downey Jr. doesn't just play Tony Stark; he *is* Tony Stark, embodying a character arc that transforms a narcissistic billionaire into a man of purpose with surprising nuance and authenticity. His natural wit, emotional intelligence, and lived-in charm carry the movie, but it's the grounded direction - practical suits, real locations, restrained CGI - that gives Iron Man its timeless grit and weight. The first suit-up scene alone remains one of the most satisfying moments in the entire MCU. Jeff Bridges gives Obadiah Stane just enough calm menace to make his escalation feel earned, even if predictable. And Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts deserves more credit - not just as the emotional anchor to Tony's chaos, but as an active player in his survival. The emotional beats - from Yinsen's death to the rescue in the desert, from "don't waste your life" to "it's going to be okay" - hit harder than expected, enhanced by a surprisingly effective score. Iron Man remains a testament to character-first storytelling, and even after 30+ entries, it still comfortably sits in my MCU Top 10. Rating: A

Having inherited his father's skill, "Tony Stark" is supplying just about every bit of military hardware to the US Government. On a trip to Afghanistan, however, his convoy is ambushed and he is seriously injured. He awakens in a cave, held hostage by insurgents, and with the help of co-captive "Yinsen" (Shaun Toub) must use all of his skills to stay alive and to find a way out of his predicament. Cannibalising just about every bit of kit he can find, he concocts a power source to keep him alive and a suit of armour that enables him to fight his way out. Once free, he determines to further hone this flying suit of armour and use it for the common good. His business partner "Vanko" (Jeff Bridges) soon realises there are other, more lucrative, uses and a conspiracy is soon afoot. Can "Stark" thwart him and save the day? As ever, there is no jeopardy whatsoever - what this is, is a fun action adventure with loads of top notch visual effects and quite a bit of humour in a script well delivered by an on-form Downey well supported by Gwyneth Paltrow and a solid cast. The "Iron Man" stories are not the most complex. It's a pretty linear depiction of good and evil - though it does, at the start, demonstrate some of the ironies of the weapons supplies industry. It's overly long, we spend just a bit too much time getting going, but once it does - it is worth a watch on a big screen.

An ok movie. I just wish there was more action. The storyline was great but could have been a lot better with more action.