A whole lot can happen in 12 years. When it comes to Marvel, that timeframe can lead to a substantial seismic shift for cinema, the ramifications of which are set to continue for the foreseeable future. Returning to the one that started it all; 2008's Iron Man, reveals a fun action-adventure film that's held up considerably but doesn't exactly hint at the huge, sprawling sub-genre that's churned out nearly $20 billion for Disney in the intervening years.

When billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is kidnapped and forced to manufacture a nuclear weapon for middle-east terrorists, his creation of an iron suit as means of escape sets in motion a life-changing decision to divert his considerable talents, wealth, and company for good.