Before 'I love you 3000' was uttered there was Iron Man. Its hard to believe it now after over 20 films and the cultural behemoth that the Marvel films are, but Iron Man was never a safe bet. With a star in Robert Downey Jr. that execs were nervous about and a superhero that was a massive gamble but boy did it pay off.

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In Iron Man after being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark creates a unique weaponised suit of armour to fight evil. The world is now aware of his identity as Iron Man in Iron Man 2, Tony Stark must contend with both his declining health and a vengeful mad man with ties to his father's legacy. Iron Man 3 finds Tony Stark's world torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

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There are many things that make the Iron Man films the superb cinematic feasts that they are: brilliant actors, cracking scripts, fast paced action and well rounded, developed villains. But its Downey Jr. that truly makes these films zing. Fast wit and courage all dripping with a bit of sarcastic narcism, its hard to see where Stark begins and Downey Jr. ends. He is Iron Man. 

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It all started here. This is why Marvel exists. Its Iron Man.