Iron Man and must team up with Captain America to take on Red Skull and the Taskmaster before the supervillains can unleash a new Hydra army on the world in the animated feature, “Iron Man and Captain America: Heroes United.” The film features Iron Man and Captain America trying to prove which fighting style works better, Cap’s consistent planning or Iron Man’s “fly by the seat of his pants” improvisation style. In the film, each adopts the other’s style and learns that both work pretty well as long as they work together.

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe is an amazingly constructed, well put together universe, it’s nice to see other adventures told in this animated style. The animation is beautiful and it allows for some villains we haven’t seen, or possibly didn’t get a proper showcase, in the MCU to appear and shine. The example in this film is the Taskmaster. I don’t remember him really being in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he gets a major story arc here.

I love the contrast between Captain America and Iron Man and this film showcases it perfectly. Cap is all about planning. Iron Man likes to make it up as he goes along. Here, they somewhat switch roles and it benefits them both. Captain America makes a quick plan when he chooses to let himself be captured. It’s not exactly make it up as he goes along, but it’s far less than his usual planning. Meanwhile, after Cap is captured, Iron Man must formulate a plan to save him. He can’t just make it up because there’s more on the line than tech being stolen. Both grow to understand and respect the other more. It allows them to become better partners and better Avengers.

I also love the addition of Hulk at the end of the movie to aid both Captain America and Iron Man. Cartoon Hulk has always been better than movie Hulk. Animators can do so much more with the character than live action and CGI can. Plus, it’s Hulk who helps our heroes understand that while each of the styles work, they should stick to the style they know because it’s what works best for them and they can play against the other’s strengths and into their own strengths. Bruce Banner will always be smarter than Steve Rogers or Tony Stark. Plus, it’s great how he helps them spar at the end and reminds them that what Hulk does best is smash.

This is a nice little diversion from the main Marvel stories. I wish they could get Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. to voice the characters, but that would cost way too much money for a film that is clearly looking to stay on a much smaller budget. Plus, it is nice to hear the takes the voice actors take on the characters. I had fun watching this and I would definitely recommend it to any Marvel fan.

Ranking: 4 stars out of 5

What did you think of “Iron Man and Captain America: Heroes United?”

Jeremy Brown

Jeremy has been a big Disney fan since he was a kid growing up during the Disney Renaissance. One day he hopes to go to every Disney Park in the world.

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