Ep 107. Honest Trailers - Iron Man

In the 107th episode of Honest Trailers, the team takes on Iron Man, the movie that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe and put Robert Downey Jr. back in the spotlight. The episode starts off by giving viewers a bit of context on the MCU, which at the time of Iron Man's release, was a relatively new concept. The narrator notes that Iron Man had a lot riding on its success, as it was not only the first film featuring the character but also the launchpad for an entire cinematic universe.

The episode then delves into the plot of the film, which follows Tony Stark, a billionaire weapons manufacturer who is kidnapped by terrorists and forced to build them a suit of high-tech armor. Stark instead builds a suit for himself to escape and subsequently decides to use his resources and intelligence to fight crime as the superhero Iron Man. The narrator comments on the irony of a weapons manufacturer becoming a hero, as well as the not-so-subtle criticisms of US foreign policy that underpin the film's plot.

The episode also examines the film's cast, including Downey Jr. as Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow as his assistant Pepper Potts. The narrator praises Downey Jr.'s performance, remarking on the way he imbues the character with a sense of charm and wit that makes him likable despite his flaws. He also notes that Paltrow was a pleasant surprise, given that she's not typically associated with action films.

Of course, as with any Honest Trailers episode, there are plenty of jokes and jabs at the film's expense. The narrator pokes fun at Iron Man's seemingly limitless budget, noting that there are more explosions in the film than there are words in the script. He also jokes about the film's reliance on product placement, highlighting scenes in which Stark uses his own personal Audi as a battering ram.

Overall, the episode is a fun and irreverent take on one of MCU's biggest hits. The Honest Trailers team manages to balance their criticisms of the film with a genuine appreciation for its place in pop culture history, making for an entertaining watch for fans and non-fans alike.