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If this was a poll about best lead actor, Iron Man would win hands down. Robert Downey Jr. is the snarky revelation that launched a franchise and set the tone for the MCU and his character forever.
But in terms of best film, it's not even a contest. Spider-Man 2 remains, after dozens of more expensive, more succesful superhero films, one of the greatest films of its kind, and one of the greatest genre works, period. Above and beyond the action scenes (train fight is still top 5 superhero fight material) and the acting (Alfred Molina delivers a tragic, menacing and scenery-chewing performance for the ages) you can just feel a heart beating beneath it all - aunt May's speech to the powerless Peter still brings a tear to my eye. It's filled with genuine, sincere love for Spider-Man, his melodrama, his heroism and everything he represents, and it can go up against The Dark Knights brooding psychological thriller any damn day of the week.
As I see it, the Superhero genre is too important a trend for the 2000s to limit it. Both should be in there, along with "The Dark Knight" and "The Incredibles." All 4 are superlative examples of the genre, and they're all distinct in their approaches.
I'm honestly surprised, pleased even, that Spider-Man 2 is getting so much love in the poll comments! Its a great movie! But...there are things about it that haven't aged as well for me. The most glaring example is Peter's, um, performance issues... I never had a problem with the idea of the webs coming from out of Peter organically in this film series (it even kinda makes sense considering the other mutations he experiences) but after having a few films with the "canonical" web-shooters, this use just kind of strikes me as being in poor taste. And the stuff with Peter's landlord is just kind of... there. But almost all the rest of it is pretty awesome. However, when I think of Iron Man, I think about just how well it works. Tony's journey from ne'er do well to hero is very compelling and Robert Downey Jr. sells it 100%. Jeff Bridges is great in EVERY scene. I don't really like Gweneth Paltrow that much but she is great as Pepper, and her scenes with Downey Jr. really do sparkle. Spider-Man 2 has a plot advantage in that it isn't an origin story, and Iron Man might feel like there should be a little more to it, a problem that is shared by most origin tales for superheroes, but as far as I'm concerned, Iron Man edges in just over Spider-Man 2, even if it is just for the audacious ending where Tony outs himself at the press conference. I still remember coming away from that movie the first time, delighted at the idea of a superhero that doesn't "hide" behind his "mask." At the time, that concept was revolutionary, and it still works.
The MCU has come so far in such relatively little time that Iron Man is weird to watch, almost hard to watch now. It seems so primitive.
Spider-Man 2 I can still watch any day of the week. I'm not even a Spider-fan, until Spider-Verse came out 2 was the only one of his movies I even liked. It's just that good.
Spider - Man 2 has only been surpassed recently by Into The Spider-Verse as the top comic book based film.
Iron man is half of a good movie.
I can see iron man getting the "importance" votes, but I feel those are misplaced in favour of the 2010s madness where the avengers assemble should get them, if anything should
Never really cared about Iron Man (or Thor, for that matter). Probably one of my least favorite entries of the MCU. On the other hand, Spider-Man 2 is probably one of the best comic book films ever.
While I ADORE the MCU, Spider-Man 2 really captured who Peter Parker is. The Doc Ock fight/Subway scene is is still one of the greatest scenes in film history. Spider-Man 2 wins my vote.
Iron Man is arguably the most impactful movie of the 21st century... but Spidey 2 is better.
IRON MAN is not the best IRON MAN movie, but SPIDER-MAN 2 was the best SPIDER-MAN for a long term (SPIDERVERSE is probably on top for me now, but you know, recency bias). Sam Raimi was still enough of himself to get a great cameo out of Bruce Campbell, to balance the macabre and the humor and the emotional tension of the story before it gets lost in the movie machine.
Iron Man memorable for making a strong movie out of a lesser known (outside of comics) hero, but Spider-Man 2 is just the better movie.
Iron Man kick started the MCU and gave showed that even some of Marvel's lesser known characters could be blockbuster starting heroes, given the right casting and script. But, Iron Man sets up many of the pit falls that litter MCU movies, that are only being corrected now: chiefly, off pacing, and forgettable villains. Both of which are things that Spider-Man 2 does not suffer from. Alfred Molina's Dr. Octopus still is the greatest Spider- Man villain we have seen on screen, possibly, arguably, the greatest super hero villain period. It is well paced, and it introduces some nuanced struggles in Peter Parker's life. The pacing feels like the movie takes place over the course of a number of weeks, rather than everything happening in 2 or 3 days. While Iron Man is a good movie that has a lot going for it, there is no question, Spider-Man 2 is clearly the better choice.
Clearly Iron Man. It's great AND it started the series of movies we all love. Except for the haters... Historical importance! ;-)
This was really an easy decision. I'm honestly surprised that Raimi's Spider-Man 2 is a play-in and not higher in the rankings. Before the Marvel Studios popularity and a year before Nolan's Batman trilogy began, Spider-Man 2 was held as one of the best superhero movies of its day. As hard as it is to say goodbye to Iron Man, there's no second guessing this one.
Both of these are at the peak of their genre, but Raimi's Spider-Man 2 has too much going for it not to get in. Still my ideal depiction of Spider-Man on screen (that is, up until Into the Spider-Verse) and an excellent villain turn from Alfred Molina, bringing tortured pathos to what could've been a complete cartoon. I still find it miraculous how Raimi married big superhero action and over-the-top melodrama with his horror stylings to make something wholly distinct; few superhero films have as evident a signature as this film. To go from the straight-up horrifying, Evil Dead-esque birth-of-the-villain scene to something as emotionally resonant, sweet, and inspiring as the subway passengers carrying an unmasked Peter's body to safety in the train is nothing to sneeze at.
Both are great, but I do think Spider-Man 2 is the better movie. What's more, it didn't pave the way for Robert Downey Jr. performances that are parodies of themselves.
I can't believe I'm voting against the MCU, but Spider-Man 2 deserves a shot 100%. Iron Man may be in the top 10-15 superhero movies ever, but Spider-Man is top 3.
[from Sherwood, AR]
LAZY! Both of these movies deserve in the main tournament! I’m sure Dark Knight gets in! And it deserves too! Don’t waste slots for Foreign Films that will lose in the first round! Put them both in!