Dominique Thorne returns as Riri Williams in a tech-versus-magic showdown that pushes the Marvel universe in a new direction.
Set after the events of “Wakanda Forever,” Marvel Television’s “Ironheart” pits technology against magic. Riri, a strong-willed woman from the very first introduction — absolutely determined to make her mark on the world — returns to her hometown of Chicago. Her unique take on building iron suits is brilliant. But in pursuit of her ambitions, she finds herself tangled with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins, aka “The Hood” (Anthony Ramos).
Marvel Studios, some would say, has an embarrassment of riches — and to keep the brand alive (which some say is in serious danger of cannibalizing itself), they are dividing them into bite-size pieces.
The series on Disney+ opens with Riri back in school at M.I.T., her Wakanda adventures in the rearview. Now she has a new obsession: to create her very own “Iron Man”-inspired armored suit. Of course, her teachers, tethered to the mantra of “it can’t be done,” miss the point when she tells them her tech would be helpful for society, especially for first responders. Her logic falls on deaf ears.
Determined, she is forced to crowdsource funds by doing other students’ projects for them. Sounds like tech slavery to me, or at the very least, tech indentured servitude.
M.I.T. loses patience and kicks her out. She heads home to the show’s setting — working-class Chicago. Her determination to find the money needed to perfect the suit brings her into contact with a criminal gang led by a man whose hooded cloak gives him supernatural powers.
Clearly, that last part sparks her imagination. At first, she’s riding with the bad guys but stops because, at her center, she’s morally sound.
Let’s roll back to the hooded cloak with supernatural powers; a backstory is needed. The power comes from characters from various Marvel mythologies. One of the cameos includes the magician and “Doctor Strange” associate Zelma Stanton (Regan Aliyah).
Riri, much like most citizens of the United States, is sitting with moral choices wrapped around contemporary political and cultural context.
“Ironheart” was created by the screenwriter and poet Chinaka Hodge, with powerhouse Ryan Coogler as the executive producer of the series. The series also stars Lyric Ross, Alden Ehrenreich, Manny Montana, Matthew Elam, and Anji White. Episodes are directed by Sam Bailey and Angela Barnes. Executive producers include Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Zoie Nagelhout, Chinaka Hodge, Ryan Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Zinzi Coogler. Produced in association with Proximity Media.
There are some story plot points that will leave the viewer confused. The character Riri does not seem fleshed out — more like a combination of strong ideas that require exploring individually. It’s trying to be an effective coming-of-age story as well. There is, however, something lacking in the character and the lead actress’ performance and, to be honest, I do not think it’s her fault.
Thorne is young and inexperienced. She’s 27, and has only a handful of non-Marvel roles: a tiny part in “If Beale Street Could Talk,” a small part in “Judas and the Black Messiah,” and a leading part in a 20-minute segment of the anthology film “Freaky Tales,” in which she gave the sort of relaxed and amusing performance you would like to see in “Ironheart.” Cast five years ago in “Wakanda Forever,” she has spent most of her career in the belly of the Marvel beast, and you can’t help wondering what effect that has had on her growth as an actress. You’d hate to see her get stuck in that iron suit.
But as a woman of color, I will throw my entire support behind “Ironheart” and Dominique Thorne. The show and the actress need space to grow, and positive support to become great. Sign me in and sign me up.