Ironheart Review: One of Marvel’s Best Disney+ Shows

by

Before delving into the adventures of Marvel’s First Family in The Fantastic Four, let’s jump back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe on Disney+ with the series titled Ironheart. This show focuses on Riri Williams (portrayed by Dominique Thorne), a brilliant MIT inventor introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Ryan Coogler, director of the two Black Panther films and this year’s acclaimed movie Sinners, serves as executive producer for this tech-centric series, which stands out as one of Marvel’s finest miniseries.

A wise decision is to center on Riri as a character because she’s intelligent, similar to Tony Stark in her knack for tinkering. However, unlike Stark, she doesn’t have access to vast amounts of money, so she barters her intellect by writing papers for her colleagues in return for financial compensation. This arrangement doesn’t sit well with MIT, resulting in her expulsion. Yet, her determination to innovate and enhance her suit persists, leading her to accept a job from the mysterious Parker Robbins (Anthony Ramos), a man in a hood who recruits her to aid him and his captivating band of criminals in their mission to challenge powerful corporations.

The Ironheart series shines primarily through its captivating characters. Leading the pack is Throne, our main character, who instantly wins you over with her vibrant persona. However, beneath the laughter lies a heavy burden as she mourns the loss of her stepfather and best friend, both victims of a drive-by shooting. This heartbreaking past resonates deeply because it casts a shadow over her life, and it becomes evident that her determination to acquire enough funds for her improved suits stems from the grief she’s endured.

Riri is quite intricate due to the path she’s chosen. Parker brings her aboard and subjects her to a rigorous test involving escaping an elevator filled with unhealthy air. Her ingenuity and intellect prove invaluable. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get to act alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, as they seem to share a similar spirit to the character we saw in Iron Man 3. She’s sharp but not always wise in her choices, learning to battle without solely relying on her suit, and grappling with panic attacks that haunt her with recollections of her past.

In Ironheart, Parker serves as the main antagonist, and his role is not kept secret throughout the series. He’s set to be the primary source of conflict, yet Riri persists in working with him despite his questionable actions. This unconventional decision can sometimes feel risky and confusing since our protagonist is intentionally associating with wrongdoers. However, she’s driven by self-interest rather than a desire to learn from her mistakes, such as when she gets expelled from school. Instead of growing from these experiences, Riri continues down this path, demonstrating the common flaws that many people possess.

Fascinated by the mysterious powers of his hood, Riri becomes determined to uncover its secrets. This quest leads to a captivating cliffhanger at the end of episode 3, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next developments in the story.

The rest of the show unfolds, revealing intricate details about our characters. Parker is captivating and his past provides insights into him. However, it’s the origin of his power that keeps us guessing, and I’m saving that for later revelation. Alden Ehrenreich, recognized from Solo: A Star Wars Story and Oppenheimer, delivers an outstanding performance as Joe McGillicuddy. He portrays a melancholic, bullied individual who is often mistreated. An initial scene where he cries in a car reminded me of a similar moment in Cocaine Bear featuring Ehrenreich. He’s a versatile actor with a great sense of humor, and his comic timing is impeccable. As the series progresses, Joe evolves into more assertive traits, making it intriguing to follow his journey. I wish there were more interactions between him and Riri in this show.

Alongside Parker and his team, we find an array of vibrant individuals. Spending extended periods with such morally ambiguous characters, engaged in questionable deeds, could potentially be risky. However, the show skillfully draws you towards these characters, making their actions seem less reprehensible. Despite their actions not always being commendable, and some not standing out distinctly, watching them is never an unpleasant experience. A notable figure from the series is Natalie, portrayed by Lyric Ross, who happens to be Riri’s best friend and a character recreated through AI by accident. Ross delivers a captivating performance as the loyal friend everyone desires to have, leaving a lasting impression.

In simpler terms, even minor characters like Landon (played by Harper Anthony) are outstanding. I can’t help but wish I was like him, and his enthusiasm is something I strive for. A scene where he replies to Riri with “In THIS economy?!” made me chuckle and brought back memories of conversations I have with my friends. This show boasts a top-notch cast without a weak link. It’s humorous, emotional, and the final episode takes an unexpected twist. It’s got plenty of appeal and is undoubtedly one of Marvel’s strongest efforts at exploring street-level superhero stories on streaming platforms.

SCORE: 8/10

According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a score of 8 is considered “Great.” Despite some minor hiccups, this rating indicates that the artwork has achieved its objective effectively and left an indelible impression on me as a fan.

Disclosure: ComingSoon received screeners for our Ironheart review.

Read More

2025-06-25 14:11