Ironheart

The story wasn't allowed to fully breathe, and some of the aforementioned great themes did not get the full opportunity to be explored.

Like Ms Marvel, it is clearly aimed at the younger end of the fan spectrum and the pace is relentless. .... To say it becomes preachy would be putting things too strongly. But “slightly tiresome” would not. At least until it’s time again to throw someone at a wall.

This is a series with things on its mind but not necessarily the structure or platform to properly say those things. Still, despite the clumsy pilot and distracted finale, the warmth I felt for the four-episode filling of this televisual sandwich was real.

Only coming alive in its final episode, which should have been its starting point rather than its cliffhanger-y conclusion, it’s further evidence that the once-mighty comic-book brand has watered itself down with second-rate heroes and adventures.

“Ironheart” is by no means terrible; it’s just unremarkable enough to feel wholly non-essential.

“Ironheart” is a compelling story about the limitations of genius, whether to overcome a lack of money or bend laws of the universe like death. It’s also a lot of other stories at the same time, none of which is as focused or affecting.

If you’re still hanging on with Marvel, this isn’t the one that will make you give up; it’s a respectable piece of work. But it’s not going to revive anyone’s flagging interest.

While this “Black Mirror”-style story line is quite captivating, it’s too often overshadowed by the messy magical elements that the Marvel machine shoehorns into the show.

"Ironheart" tries to be a story worthy of Riri's status as a "Panther" breakout, but not hard enough.

Its run-of-the-mill antagonists and cynical script leave few characters to root for, and though its kinetic heist sequences offer some entertainment, the armored battles leave a lot to be desired.

Ironheart is a series for MCU completionists, and it does have a few moments that will make the hardcore audience cheer. However, as a standalone, the show just doesn't have a lot going for it, and most people may forget it ever happened in the first place.

Hamstrung by an unconvincing plotline and a script in dire need of a dose of WD40, it’s only in the action sequences, too few and far between, that Ironheart comes alive.

Mostly, though, the problem is Riri, and Thorne. It’s not impossible to tell a lively and engaging story about a character consumed by grief — see WandaVision, a.k.a. the best MCU show of all. But as written, and as played by Thorne, Riri is so dour, and so flat, that Ironheart all but grinds to a halt whenever a scene is primarily about the series’ protagonist.