Iron Man at IMAX – Film Review

Iron Man film had originally started production way back in 1990 at several other studios but ran into issues. When Marvel reacquired the rights in 2006 and was back at the helm with Jon Favreau as director, who knew that this 2008 film would become the first of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Little did we know that Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe would become the juggernaut that it is today.

Iron Man is a very important story in the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only is it the very first film in the franchise, but it sets the tone for the entire universe in that everything is connected. Although at the time we were not aware of what was to come, from re-watching Iron Man now, it is very clear to see the little references to the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For instance Yinsen, played by Shaun Toub, in the cave at the start of the film. Yinsen mentions that he had met Tony in the past. Although Tony does not remember this, we are shown their meeting in the 2013 film Iron Man 3. Rhodie towards the end of this film when Tony flies off in the Mark III armour suit, looks over to the Mark II suit and says “Next time, baby!” referencing to his character development in the next film, Iron Man 2 that would be released two years later. Also referenced in original Iron Man is the terrorist organisation The Ten Rings that would play a huge part of the plot of Iron Man 3.

With the upcoming release of Captain Marvel and that it is set back in 1995, it was interesting to see Phil Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. mention that this is not his ‘first rodeo’. However, probably the most important reference is the post credit sequence is when we are introduced to Samuel L Jackson’s now universe prolific and resident badass, Nick Fury. “Do you think you are the only superhero in the world?” appearing to Tony to talk about the “Avengers Initiative” which eventually led into the 2012 film Marvel’s The Avengers.

For me, Iron Man has always been my favourite film of the MCU. Not only because of how important it is to the timeline, but because of how brilliant Robert Downey Jr is. He perfectly personifies Tony Stark as the likeable asshole with the ‘take no bullshit’ attitude. His roles as Tony Stark and Iron Man later on in the MCU just cement his character as my favourite. Iron Man also has one of my favourite lines from Gwyneth Paltrow’s character Pepper Potts, Tony’s personal assistant that does “anything and everything that Mr Stark requires, including occasionally, taking out the trash”.

I can watch Iron Man over and over again without becoming bored of it. So when I heard that IMAX Melbourne was bringing it back for a limited run, I jumped at the opportunity to see it. It has over 30 minutes of extended aspect ratio sequences that will expand vertically to cover the large IMAX screen. Having only seen it at the theatres upon its release back in 2008, it was a real treat to see it again on the big, or should I say, bigger screen.

IMAX Melbourne has an extremely limited run of this film showing Thursday 7th of Feb, Saturday 9th, Sunday 10th and Tuesday 12th of Feb. So head on down to see this timeless classic MCU film. 

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