Forged in greatness

Rating: 8/10 (5 July 2016)

You can't really rewatch any of the Marvel movies without seeing them in the context of the larger cinematic grand scheme. Upgrades, expansions and awkward missteps are constantly in the back of your min while you're watching any one film. So how does "Iron Man" stack up after eight years of universe-building? Pretty damn well, actually.
It's a terrific blend of origin and redemption stories, resting on the shoulders of Robert Downey Jr. (ideal casting), but there's also a great feeling of invention to the movie; whether Tony Stark's in a cave or in a lab, it's fun to watch him work. And the armor's got a great robotic look to it. It'll be tweaked along the way - but even here, it looks cool.
It's not without weaknesses - Don Cheadle turned out to be a welcome replacement for Terrence Howard - but on the other hand, the sequel antagonists also haven't compared to Jeff Bridges. It's also not a glorified commercial for the next entry (surprisingly refreshing). This is my favorite Marvel movie for good reason. It looks great, the character arc is solid and it's a testament to how well a foundation can be laid.
8/10