Though there are plenty of beloved heroes within the MCU, Iron Man has always been at the center of the cinematic universe. His first solo movie kicked off the MCU in a big way and he was the first of the heroes to complete his own trilogy. But while the character is obviously very important to the universe, there are a lot of varied opinions about the Iron Man movies.
While there is a general consensus in of which aspects worked in the Iron Man trilogy and which did not, there are always some fans who offer a contrary opinion. Fans on Reddit have shared their most unpopular views when it comes to the Iron Man trilogy.
Tony Stark Is A Villain
Though Tony Stark certainly has a rebellious attitude, he can always be counted on to save the day in his movies. He has shown time and time again that he is willing to put himself at risk to protect people and stop the bad guys. But some fans have questioned if he is part of the problem.
While few would deny that Tony can be egotistical and selfish at times, Redditor Viperbunny feels many villains and dangers in the movies come "as a direct response or in direct response to something he has done."
A.I.M. Should Have Been Used More
It is always fun to see aspects of the comics brought into the movies, even if it is just a small detail within the MCU. For instance, A.I.M. is a significant villainous organization in the comics that appears as the company founded by Aldrich Killian in the third Iron Man movie.
Most fans didn't pay too much attention to its inclusion in the movie, but there were some who felt it deserved more. Redditor Iron Man 3."
Tony Stark Is Irritating
It could be said that the characterization of Tony Stark in the first Iron Man movie set the tone for what many of the heroes in the cinematic universe would be like. He is quippy, sarcastic, and charmingly arrogant which most fans found to be a winning combination.
That style of hero didn't work for everyone, including Redditor mileya82. While they itted to liking Tony in the first movie, they claimed "he kept annoying me more and more" in his subsequent appearances.
Tony And Pepper's Relationship Worked Better Than Most
Romance has rarely been a strong aspect of the MCU and that was the cast for many fans when it came to the franchise's first couple, Tony and Pepper. While their relationship grew more touching by the end, there were many who felt it was the least interesting aspect of the Iron Man movies.
However, Redditor sagewren7 is one of the few who felt the romance worked better than the likes of Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter. They specifically pointed to how the relationship grew romantic over time as the reason it was "much more enjoyable and believable."
Iron Man 2 Is Good
Though the first Iron Man thrilled audiences and gave the MCU a very solid starting point, the sequel left a lot of people worried about the direction of the cinematic universe. Iron Man 2 was seen as a major letdown and is often regarded as one of the worst movies in the MCU.
The lackluster action sequences and the setting up of the larger universe didn't work with many fans, but Redditor brittaneex is one of the few defenders of Iron Man 2. They even claim that they have rewatched it "more than any other MCU film."
Justin Hammer Is A Top-Tier Villain
Another issue with Iron Man 2 according to many fans was the fact that the villains were forgettable. Ivan Vanko was seen as an underdeveloped threat while Justin Hammer was seen as too goofy to be intimidating. Despite the fact that many viewers want to see Sam Rockwell return as Hammer, the character didn't work as a villain for the majority.
However, Redditor MathBelieve was among those who praised Rockwell's work and the character overall. They even went so far as to say Hammer "is one of my favorite villains" in the entire MCU.
Iron Man 3 Is The Best Of The Trilogy
Iron Man 2 was not the only sequel in the trilogy that didn't strike a chord with fans. Iron Man 3 also received a very mixed response thanks to its diversion from the comic book storylines and certain developments with Tony Stark as a character.
But with action veteran Shane Black at the helm of the movie, there are some who felt that it remains the best entry in the Iron Man trilogy. Redditor MajorRocketScience even suggested that "it might be one of the 5 best MCU movies."
The Mandarin Twist Was Great
One of the biggest aspects of Iron Man 3 that made it such a controversy among fans was the twist with The Mandarin. In the comics, The Mandarin is Iron Man's most famous villain and many were excited to see them face off finally. However, it is revealed that the supposed Mandarin is actually a washed-up actor hired to play a terrorist by Aldrich Killian.
Many fans felt cheated by the character twist, but there were some that had nothing but praise for it. Redditor OctorokHero called it "one of the most unique topical twists the MCU has done."
Robert Downey Jr's Performance Is Overrated
Robert Downey Jr. had one of the biggest comeback roles in Hollywood history when he stepped into the role of Iron Man. Even as other great actors ed the MCU, Downey Jr's performance seemed to be at the center of the franchise and there were some who felt it was Oscar-worthy.
Quite surprisingly, there are some fans who were not as impressed with Downey Jr's iconic take on the hero. Redditor Zyffrin complained that the performance wasn't much of a stretch as the actor "just plays himself most of the time."
It's Good That He's Gone
Ever since Iron Man 3, there were fans hoping that there would be some announcement of "Iron Man 4" on the horizon. But those dreams seemed to come to an end with Tony Stark's death in Avengers: Endgame, bringing an end to the character's time in the MCU.
However, while some were sad to see the hero go, Redditor rgordill2 found the MCU was getting too focused on Iron Man and he need to go in order for things to grow. They even added, "I hope he stays gone."
