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Avengers: Endgame was the finale to an era in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in more ways than one. Not only did it wrap up the final confrontation with the Mad Titan, but Thanos’s defeat came at a high price – the lives of two members of the original Avengers team. While Natasha Romanov sacrifices herself to acquire the Soul Stone on the planet Vormir, Tony Stark dies in a way that is perhaps befitting of Iron Man, bringing down his worst enemy with a snap of his fingers.
Iron Man is the most iconic figure in the MCU, and the first Iron Man movie remains the best origin story in the franchise almost fifteen years after its release. But the Iron Man trilogy has gradually offered a lot to the character’s fans. There have been some ups and downs, with some creative choices displeasing viewers. But each movie has still managed to respect the spirit of the character and add something new to the table.
10 The Armors Become More And More Advanced
The first Iron Man movie sees the birth of the new armored superhero, with the creation of Iron Man Mark I in Afghanistan. From the moment he returns to US soil, Tony begins working on better models of the armor. This work will continue all throughout the movies, with Iron Man becoming more and more advanced.
Some models of the suit gain specialized functions and are part of Tony’s first Iron Legion. Notable armors include Mark XVII Armor Heartbreaker, Mark XXI Midas, and Mark XXXIX Starboost, but they are only a few examples in a much larger list. This set of armors comes together for the House Party Protocol to assist Tony in his Iron Man 3 battle against Aldrich Killian. Tony ends up destroying them, but they guide him to the nano-armor he will later use in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
9 The Arc Reactor Receives A Very Important Upgrade
Throughout the Iron Man movies, Tony goes from being strapped to a car battery, to wearing the most advanced piece of technology in the world in his chest. The arc reactor is as important to Tony as it is deadly. Iron Man 2 sees Tony suffering from palladium poisoning due to the reactor and discovering a new element that allows him to create a new version.
With Iron Man 3, Tony discards the arc reactor inside his body, his health improving dramatically due to a modified version of Extremis. The reactor remains a symbol of his life and his funeral in Endgame displays the ‘Tony Stark has a heart’ chest piece floating away on the water.
8 Tony’s Relationship With Pepper Slowly Matures Into An Anchor Of Solidity
Pepper Potts may have originally been only Tony’s PA but their relationship changes throughout the Iron Man movies. She is disapproving of Tony’s superhero life, something that puts a strain on their connection.
But Pepper truly grows into her own as a character, both as an independent individual, the new CEO of Stark Industries, and as Tony’s love interest. Their relationship has its ups and downs, but no relationship is perfect. The Iron Man movies set the basis of Tony and Pepper’s marriage, which will later be an anchor for him after Avengers: Infinity War.
7 Tony’s Friendship With Rhodey Receives More Development
Tony Stark’s best friend, James Rhodes has a somewhat tumultuous history throughout the MCU. In Iron Man 1, he is played by Terrence Howard. Conflicts with the actor caused the character to be recast, with Don Cheadle taking over the role. In Iron Man 2, Tony and Rhodey have a dispute over Tony’s behavior during the time when he is dying, so their friendship isn’t in the best place.
But by Iron Man 3, Don Cheadle has fully become one with the role of War Machine. Tony’s friendship with Rhodey receives more attention. This particularly pays off in other films like Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Endgame, where the emotional stakes of their bond are important.
6 The Connection With The Rest Of The MCU Tightens
Tony, Rhodey, and Pepper aren’t the only characters relevant to the MCU. Every movie makes the connection between Iron Man and the rest of the franchise tighter. The first Iron Man movie introduces Nick Fury as a promise for more but Iron Man 2 is Black Widow’s first appearance. Phil Coulson also makes a showing in the first two Iron Man titles.
Meanwhile, Iron Man 3 displays Bruce Banner, although it is only in a post-credit scene. It also adds a flashback of Ho Yinsen, an incredibly important detail considering Yinsen’s role in Tony’s life. The biggest connection with the MCU however, is Tony’s own mental state, which ties in heavily with his past actions in Avengers and his future choices as a superhero.
5 Tony’s Motivations And Character Grow With Time
Iron Man 3 is considered the weakest entry of the trilogy by many fans. Viewers took umbrage to the twist in the villain’s identity, as the original depiction of the Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsley, turns out to be a lie. This approach to Iron Man’s most iconic villain has since been fixed with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. But even if that hadn’t been the case, Iron Man 3 has incredible strengths that make it stand out among the rest.
The movie depicts Tony struggling with PTSD as a consequence of the Battle of New York. The realistic take on Tony’s emotions brings a lot to the table in a franchise that doesn’t always take into account the genuine consequences an experience can have on a superhero’s psyche.
4 The Comedic Moments Are Stronger In The Final Movie
Many viewers didn’t like the twist regarding the Mandarin’s identity, but one cannot deny it’s a funny plot choice. The sharp contrast between the Mandarin’s image and Trevor Slattery, the actor hired by Aldrich Killian, could actually be considered a stroke of comedic genius.
It unfortunately misses the mark because of the villain’s comic book history, but it’s definitely a strong element. Iron Man 3 has a lot of funny moments, and Tony has an excellent dynamic with both Rhodey and the young Harley Keener. Previous Iron Man movies found humor in darkness in the same way, but it is somewhat more pronounced in the final movie of the trilogy.
3 The Music Score Adds A Lot To The Trilogy’s Finale
The soundtrack of the first Iron Man movies is already acknowledged as being excellent, with songs like AC/DC’s Shoot to Thrill doing a great job at emphasizing the nature of Tony’s character. Even so, Bryan Tyler’s approach to the Iron Man 3 soundtrack might be an improvement.
The main Iron Man theme includes the sound of hammer strokes that conjures the imagery of Tony building his armors. The grandeur created by the orchestral composition is a perfect setting for the appearance of the Iron Legion. It adds a lot to the trilogy’s finale, making Tony shine.
2 Tony’s Catchphrase Follows Him Even When He Discards The Reactor
If there’s one sentence that defines a character in the MCU, it’s the iconic ‘I am Iron Man’. First spoken during the press conference in Iron Man 1, it defines Tony’s identity throughout his journey. Tony reiterates it at the end of Iron Man 3 after he discards his reactor. The fact that the character comes full circle in this way is the perfect preparation for the moment when he makes his sacrifice in the battle against Thanos.
1 The Marketing Sees As Much Improvement As The CGI
Since 2008, the MCU franchise has grown in leaps and bounds. The marketing material for the first two movies now seems lackluster compared to the actual films. By Iron Man 3, there’s a significant improvement, one that is made evident in the poster graphics.
Similarly, technology has advanced a lot since the first Iron Man movies, and the budget of the franchise has increased. As a result, the explosions are always bigger and flashier with every installment, and the CGI is more complex. While some fans still feel the classical techniques used in Iron Man make for a better movie, CGI does have its appeal, making difficult scenes like Iron Legion’s attack possible.
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