Ironheart Review: Marvel’s Newest Hero Shines Bright Despite a Sluggish Start

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Ryan Coogler’s “Ironheart” series on Disney+, which expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has officially arrived. This project has been in development for a few years and couldn’t have been timed better, as Doctor Doom’s formidable blend of magic and technology is set to pose a significant threat to Marvel’s superheroes in the near future.

In 2008, the film Iron Man caused quite a stir at the box office and received significant critical praise, marking the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and introducing us to Tony Stark, the wealthy, brilliant inventor of the armored suit, portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. Since then, various characters in the MCU have donned the iron suits, both heroic and villainous. However, Riri Williams stands out as a unique hero due to her distinct differences from Tony Stark.

Williams is not just a carbon copy of Stark; she’s a prodigious inventor in her own right. Unlike Stark, whose heroics are sustained by an endless supply of financial resources, Williams is young, resourceful, and hails from a background significantly different than Stark’s. The upcoming film Ironheart underscores these differences and paves a new, uncharted path for Williams in the MCU.

Dominique Thorne Excels, Leading A Stellar Cast

After the events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” the story unfolds with Riri Williams (played by Dominique Thorne) back in Chicago. Here, she persists in her quest to build a groundbreaking armor suit, aiming to make an impact globally.

She joins Parker “The Hood” Robbins’ team, led by Anthony Ramos, comprising pyrotechnics prodigy Clown (Sonia Denis), tech wizard Rampage (Stuart Clarke), the Blood siblings Zoe Terakes and Shakira Barrera, and skilled hacker Slug (Shea Couleé). From there, events start to escalate.

Thorne excellently reprises her role as the intelligent and kind-hearted Riri, who displays a touch of arrogance. She convincingly portrays toughness and straight-forwardness while adding an endearing charm and genuine emotion to the character.

In Ironheart, we encounter a variety of characters whose anticipated return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is eagerly awaited. Anthony Ramos delivers a compelling, multi-faceted performance as The Hood, a villain who gradually succumbs to corruption in front of our eyes. Alden Ehrenreich presents a deep, layered, and charismatic portrayal of “Joe McGillicuddy,” adding yet another intriguing character to the MCU’s magical roster. Lastly, Regan Aliyah brings warmth and skill to the role of Zelma Stanton, another fascinating addition to the Marvel Universe.

In this upcoming storyline, you can expect some unexpected twists that we won’t reveal just yet, but the blend of magic and technology in Riri Williams’ character is a fresh and exciting development. Since Riri is deeply rooted in scientific knowledge within the comics, equipping her with innovative tools for the Marvel Cinematic Universe expands her potential significantly. This change also allows her to carve out her unique identity separate from Tony Stark’s influence.

Ironheart Builds To Great Places, Though Too Slowly

“Ironheart” takes off to thrilling destinations and delivers a powerful punch in its finale, with far-reaching consequences. It introduces a captivating assortment of new characters for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Ryan Coogler skillfully maintains the series’ earthbound feel while effectively contrasting it against magical elements, resulting in a unique tone distinct from other enchantment-focused MCU shows such as “WandaVision” and its spinoff, “Agatha All Along.

The six-episode series is generally easy to watch, but it takes time to get going initially. Riri’s involvement with The Hood’s team, along with the jobs they execute, serves a larger purpose, however, at one point, this plot device can feel repetitive (until the storylines converge in the latter half of the series). It truly shines in the last two episodes, and they are definitely worth the anticipation.

Despite being a bit disappointing, it’s unfortunate that so many exciting revelations and events culminate in the final episode, crammed into just 40 minutes. Typically, screenwriting advice suggests entering scenes late and leaving early, but Ironheart, for its structure, seems to go against this. Starting slowly before seemingly ending too soon, when it’s reaching its peak, rarely works effectively, and it’s noticeable in a limited six-episode series.

To sum it up, Ironheart proves to be a valuable addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Thorne, Ramos, and Ehrenreich deliver outstanding performances, and their chemistry is spot-on. The setting feels authentic, deepening Williams’ character and introducing tantalizing new aspects for Kevin Feige’s expansive MCU playground. Coogler’s craftsmanship continues to impress. Although it might not shine as a standalone series, the elements certainly hit the mark and push boundaries in exciting ways.

In summary, the new series “Ironheart” is expected to delight Marvel enthusiasts, and it’s certainly worth giving a watch. It might not fill you up like a complete Desperito’s pizza meal, but it offers plenty of tantalizing tastes instead.

Final Rating: 7/10

As a thrilled fan, I’m excited to share that the highly-anticipated series, Ironheart, will make its grand entrance on my screen! The first three episodes will stream on Disney+ starting from Tuesday, June 24, 2025. A week later, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, the final three episodes will follow, wrapping up this incredible journey. Can’t wait!

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2025-06-25 04:04