Ironheart: We watched the new Marvel series on Disney+, the findings are alarming!

Marvel persists with Ironheart, its new production exclusive to Disney+. Centered on Riri Williams, an MIT genius who builds her own high-tech armor, the series promised to revive the magic of the early MCU. Six episodes later, the conclusion is clear: between brilliant moments and interminable lengths, the result struggles to convince. A solid cast but a flailing scriptDominique Thorne plays Riri Williams with remarkable accuracy, perfectly capturing the audacity and vulnerability of this gifted teenager. Alongside her, Alden Ehrenreich (previously seen in Solo: A Star Wars Story) brings a welcome touch of humor to the role of a somewhat lost scientist. Unfortunately, these performances aren’t enough to compensate for a shaky script that takes nearly three episodes to find its rhythm.

Marvel Villain Syndrome

As is so often the case in the studio’s recent productions, the series’ main antagonist suffers from a severe lack of depth. Although technically impressive, the character settles for hackneyed clichés without ever truly threatening our heroine. It’s a shame, because the comics offered much richer material to explore. Moments of Grace Drowned in Routine When Ironheart dares to step off the beaten track, magic happens. Certain visual sequences, particularly those combining technology and magic, recall the best of Doctor Strange. References to the rest of the MCU are cleverly crafted, without falling into gross fan service. But these flashes of genius remain all too rare amid a main plot that often goes around in circles.

A finale that saves the day (a little)

The final part of the series finally rightes the ship, with an epic finale that reveals all the untapped potential of these six episodes. The action scenes gain intensity, the stakes become palpable, and a few well-placed surprises hint at interesting developments for the future. Too little, too late?

Technology and magic: a promising mix

One of Ironheart’s strengths lies in its way of integrating magic into a primarily technological universe. The scenes where Riri attempts to understand and then master these mysterious forces are among the most successful in the series. We feel that the writers have laid the foundations for a mythology that could prove fascinating in future productions.

Delightful Easter eggs

MCU fans will appreciate the numerous nods scattered throughout the episodes. Some directly refer to the events of the previous films, while others outline avenues for the future of the franchise. It remains to be seen whether Marvel will be able to capitalize on these promises or whether they will remain a dead letter, as they have so often been recently.

A series that mirrors the current MCU

Ironheart suffers from the same problems as many recent Marvel productions: uneven pacing, underutilized villains, and a general feeling of déjà vu. Yet, when it dares to take risks, the series shows that there is still creativity in the Marvel Universe. It remains to be seen whether future seasons (or theatrical releases) will be able to capitalize on these positive moments.