Iron Man

     In 2008, the MCU began with the origin story of Tony Stark, or otherwise known as, Iron Man. I know I probably should have reviewed the Iron Man trilogy years ago, but something always got in the way. After I saw Avengers for the first time, I was confused as to who the characters were as I had not seen the prior movies leading up to the film. So the first thing I did was grab my brother's copy of Iron Man and get properly introduced to Tony Stark. 

     Tony Stark, the son of famed scientist and weapons designer, Howard Stark, is more than just a brilliant mind and the head of Stark Industries. He's a charming party boy, with no sense of responsibility, humility or understanding. His secretary Pepper Potts and chauffeur, Happy Hogan try to keep him in line, while Tony's best friend, Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes tends to wonder if Tony will ever grow up. 

     While in Afghanistan, doing a military illustration for his newest weapon, Tony is attacked and kidnapped by a terrorist group, the Ten Rings. Tony barely survives the attack and has shrapnel lodged in his chest due to an immense blast. He is saved by Yinsen, a kindly doctor who is also being held captive by the Ten Rings. The terrorist group have been using illegally sold weapons from Stark Industries for their own volatile activity, but now that they have Tony Stark in their possession, they want him to build a missile for them.

    However, Tony and Yinsen have other plans. Yinsen saved Tony's life by hooking him up to a battery generator to keep the shrapnel clear from his heart. Tony takes that same concept and with the mechanics of his own weapons, he creates the arc reactor which will not only keep his heart safe, but will also aid them in their escape. Tony and Yinsen then proceed to make a power armored suit which will be controlled by the arc reactor. 

    Shortly before they escape, Tony and Yinsen have a personal discussion of family and what it means to have everything. Tony for all his wealth is alone with no direction or purpose, while Yinsen, although poor and humble, is a family man whose sole purpose is to return home. Unfortunately, he will never make it back. While Yinsen and Tony try to escape with the suit, Yinsen is shot down trying to save Tony's life. His dying words are for Tony to value his life and not waste it.

And with those words, Iron Man is born.

     Tony manages to escape with the arc reactor suit, but when he returns home, he is not the same. He immediately starts to work on a new highly functional suit with the help of JARVIS, his virtual household butler (and eventually Vision). When they're finished, an armored, arc reactor powered suit that is both weapon and tool is ready to be used. And Tony wastes no time in putting his suit to good use; first by going after the Ten Rings and then by stopping a closer, more dangerous enemy before all that Tony has is lost forever.

     This was a brilliant starting block for the MCU! Iron Man is fast pace, exciting and humorous in all the right places. Robert Downey Jr. has often been compared to Tony Stark for his similar sarcastic and fun loving nature. He was perfect for Tony Stark. While Tony tends to have an arrogant and self absorbed nature, there is also generosity and no small amount of courage inside him. Yet, it takes sacrifice for Tony to finally allow those qualities to come through.