'Ironheart' Review: Marvel Series Is Not Too Heavy, but It's Not Too Light, Either

The first time Riri Williams' solo TV show was mentioned was in 2020 when Kevin Feige announced Ironheart and Secret Invasion along with a few other Marvel Phase 5 releases. He said both series would tie in with Marvel's feature films. It's true: Ironheart is connected to the larger MCU -- aside from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever -- and for that reason alone, you should watch all six episodes of the series to the end. All the way to the very end.

Ironheart is streaming its first three episodes on Disney Plus tonight, and will cap its run on July 1. Riri returns to form as a gifted scientist with lofty goals to make the world a better place, but in Ironheart (and arguably Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), the journey isn't about her as a superhero or about picking up Iron Man's mantle. It's about her understanding herself, and Ironheart's tech-meets-mysticism blend is interesting enough to make you wonder what's next.

Dominique Thorne returns to the role of Riri Williams, the young MIT student viewers first met in Black Panther 2 when she was caught up in a beef over vibranium. A genius inventor, she was at the center of the chaos that kicked off the film's plot, and we got a taste of her in her own Iron Man-like suit, when she teamed up with the Wakandans. By the end of the movie, Riri had formed a friendship with Shuri, fought the Talokanil and was gifted with her late father's repaired car, but she had to leave her vibranium-clad suit behind. Little was shown about her backstory, especially bits from the Marvel comics and her ties to Tony Stark.

Riri lands back in her Chicago hometown in Ironheart, and it's not long before she meets Anthony Ramos' Parker Robbins -- aka The Hood. As is often the case when naive young adults meet charismatic, manipulative strangers, she falls in with the wrong crowd. There's crime, there are close calls and there are unintended, terrible consequences. However, despite the fact that Riri is dealing with bad apples, trauma, pressure and typical coming-of-age issues, she has a strong support system, and we see some tender moments play out with her mother and friends, including Lyric Ross's Natalie, Riri's best friend.

Morally gray ethics and family are prominent themes in this show, where the main characters and The Hood's gang of misfits sometimes don't seem to have a realistically sustainable endgame. Riri just knows she wants to build something "iconic." There's a cost for this. With limited resources, how much -- and what -- is she willing to sacrifice?

She's streetwise, ambitious and a little stubborn. She has genuine people in her life who care about her and finds a kindred spirit in Joe McGillicuddy (played by Alden Ehrenreich). Thorne captures Riri's essence as a character whose flaws lead to some selfish and dangerous decision-making. Joe is smart, cynical and perpetually annoyed, and Ehrenreich's performance balances those qualities with doses of humor.

Ramos plays the villainous Hood suavely with ease, but story-wise, I would've liked to know more about the hood itself, because there wasn't really a rhythm to the why, when and how of the garment, which made its appearance in scenes feel random at times. While Parker's crew all have their assigned roles in the team -- and in the overall story -- there's not much of an emotional investment in them as characters. Tonally, the series has some violence and criminal misdeeds, but it's still a family-friendly PG watch that likely won't terrify your kids or disturb their sleep.

That said, the action scenes are decent and spread throughout the show, with the best sequence teased in the trailer when a suited-up Riri faces a speeding truck. Cool tech (including AI and robotics) and special effects rev things up without overwhelming each episode. The show's soundtrack deserves some kudos, as do the nods to the city of Chicago and the Black experience (there's a pointed exchange during episode 5 in the middle of a conflict). Things are most interesting in Ironheart, however, when magic happens on screen. Literally.

The Hood's sorcery isn't the only kind that we see, which makes for some fun twists and flashes of, "Hey, did Marvel just...?" Riri is confident in her scientific skills to the point where mystical things don't appeal to her -- until they do. She's dropped into situations requiring her to have an open mind about magic, and it shakes up her logical mind and moral compass.

As you watch this series, it'd be wise to remember that Riri is not a mutant, superpowered human, deity or established Marvel superhero. She's an imperfect young woman trying to find her way, navigate trauma and chart her own path in a character-centered story. Fans will get a nice helping of Easter eggs, Marvel references and satisfying moments in Ironheart that will have you mapping out your next theories for the MCU. Stick with the show through its finale, and you'll find it pays off as Marvel officially closes out Phase 5.