iron man – My Geek Wisdom

“It’s an imperfect world but it’s the only one we’ve got.”

From: Iron Man

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from the very first Iron Man movie from 2008. Based on the Marvel character and starring Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, this was the film that launched the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe and made it so superhero movies could be more than just silly films about comic book characters. The movie also reinvigorated Robert Downey Jr’s career after his life spiraled out of control in the 90’s.

The quote comes very early in the film. Tony Stark is called out to do an impromptu interview. Assuming the reporter will just ask him questions about a fluff piece, Tony takes the interview. However, it was actually an ambush as the reporter asks him about how he can manufacture weapons. This is when Tony Stark delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Although Tony Stark may have been somewhat insincere at that time when he delivered the quote, that doesn’t make his statement any less correct. We all live in this planet and it’s definitely not perfect. But until we find another world, this is the only one we have. So, we have to take care of it and try to get along with each other.

“I don’t trust a guy without a dark side. Call me old fashioned.”

From: Avengers: Age of Ultron

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the second Avengers movie: Avengers: Age of Ultron. In the film, Tony Stark creates a machine that is supposed to help defend to world but the machine, called Ultron, decides the best way to save humans from themselves is to enslave them.

The quote comes in the middle of the film when the Avengers seek refuge in Hawkeye/Clint Barton’s secluded home. Iron Man/Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr) and Captain America/Steve Rogers (played by Chris Evans) are reflecting on how Ultron defeated them. Tony Stark then comments on how Steve Rogers got out remarkably unscathed. Steve Rogers asks why that seems to bother him and this is when Tony Stark delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: Every single person has flaws and it’s okay to admit what they are. In fact, the more you try to hide them, the more people will think you’re trying to hide something.

“Because Tony learns from his mistakes.”

From: YouTube and Marvel, kinda

Genre: Internet

Who said it?: Allan Tsai

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Allan Tsai, a YouTuber who does a lot of videos looking at little known facts about various movies.

A lot of the time, Allan Tsai would focus on the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. He has focused a lot of times on Tony Stark/Iron Man and usually comments on some of the upgrades he’s made to his suits based on what’s happened in previous films.

Geek wisdom: There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes. What’s not okay is actually not learning from them. So, be like Tony Stark and take note of your errors so you can either fix them or not let them happen again.

“No amount of money ever bought a second of time.”

From: Avengers: Endgame

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark/Iron Man

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from Avengers: Endgame. This was the closing film for the entire Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The quote comes from the middle of the film. Tony Stark/Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.) has travelled back in time in order to recover the Space Stone that is encased in the Tesseract. While retrieving the item, Tony runs into his father, Howard Stark. Tony then bonds with his father, even though Howard doesn’t realize he’s actually talking to his yet to be born child. Howard asks Tony for advice on how to raise his soon-to-be born son. Tony then comments he had to wing it most of the time and he then tells his father the quote.

Geek wisdom: Even if you have all the money in the world, we cannot use it to buy back whatever time we’ve lost. We are only on this planet for a limited time and we have to cherish whatever time we have with them.

“Tony Stark was able to build this in a cave! With a bunch of scraps!”

From: Iron Man

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Obadiah Stane

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 2009 superhero film, Iron Man. The film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark who, after getting kidnapped by terrorists, builds a suit of armor to escape his captors. After realizing his weapons were being used by the terrorists, he decides to refine the armor to fight them as well as becoming the first superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The quote comes from the middle of the film movie. Tony Stark’s business partner, Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges), hires a group of scientist to recreate Stark’s huge arc reactor in miniature form as he needs it to power up his own Iron Man suit. His scientists tell him they’re unable to duplicate the technology. This make Stane very upset and he berates the head scientist by delivering the quote.

Geek wisdom: Most of anything is possible but you have to be ready to put in the time and the hard work to achieve it. If you have the mindset that it cannot be done, then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy as you’ll never put in the required work to accomplish your goal.

“Part of the journey is the end.”

From: Avengers: Endgame

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark

The story behind the quote: This quote comes from the 22nd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Endgame. The film has received both critical and financial success and has surpassed Avatar as the highest grossing films of all time.

The quote comes near the end of the film. Iron Man/Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey, Jr.) has recorded his own eulogy in case of his untimely demise, which does happen. He does realize the riskiness of his plan and there’s a chance it will not go well. He does rationalize it by deliver the quote before, somewhat jokingly, reassures everyone it’s all going to work out.

Geek wisdom: Everything in the world and in this universe is finite. That is why we have to appreciate everything we have right now, both the good and the bad.

“I love you 3000.”

From: Avengers: Endgame

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark and Morgan Stark

The quote comes near the start and the end of the movie. The first time it’s uttered, Tony Stark/Iron Man (played by Robert Downey) is tucking in his daughter, Morgan Stark, in bed. Tony says that he loves her a lot and Morgan delivers the quote to her dad.

The quote is said once more by a recording of Tony Stark during his wake. In a holographic recording to both Pepper Pots (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) and Morgan, he delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: We may think we have all the time in the world but we don’t know when life may just suddenly be cut short. So never forget to tell the people you care about how you feel.

“I can do this all day.”

From: Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain America: Civil War

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Captain America/Steve Rogers

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote actually comes from two movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe but it does come from the same person, Captain America. Portrayed by Chris Evans in the film, Captain America is actually Steve Rogers, a scrawny kid from Brooklyn who was chose to be the first person to get the Super Soldier serum because of his good nature.

The quote comes a couple of times from the first film, Captain America: The First Avenger. It comes up first before Steve Rogers is injected with the Super Serum formula when he’s being beat up by a unruly movie patron. The second time it comes up in the First Avenger is when Red Skull captures Steve Rogers, now as Captain America.

The next time the quote comes up is during Captain America: Civil War. During the climax of the film, Iron Man is trying to kill Bucky/Winter Soldier for murdering his family. Captain America steps in and intervenes as he’s Bucky’s friend. Even though Iron Man has the upper hand and asks Cap to stand down, Steve Rogers still stands up and delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is something to be said about being tenacious. Even though you are beaten down in life, you should never give up and always try to get up. The only time you’ll actually be beaten is when you give up.

“If you’re nothing without this suit, then you shouldn’t have it.”

From: Spider-Man: Homecoming

Genre: Movies

Who said it?: Tony Stark/Iron Man

The story behind the quote: This week’s quote comes from Spider-Man: Homecoming. The film is essentially a reboot of the previous Spider-Man films and, although it was made by Sony Pictures, it was made by Marvel Studios in a licensing deal to allow the Wall Crawler to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Oddly enough, it doesn’t come from your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, though.

The quote comes fairly late in the movie. Spider-Man tries to foil an arms deal but something goes wrong and Tony Stark/Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.) has to come in and save the day. Tony tells Peter Parker/Spider-Man (played by Tom Holland) that he’s taking the Spider-Man suit back. Peter pleads to his mentor/idol that he needs the suit. This is when Tony delivers the quote.

Geek wisdom: It shouldn’t be the suit that makes the man. It should be the man that makes the suit. It’s kind of fitting that it’s Tony Stark that tells Peter Parker this as, although he’s widely known as Iron Man, he doesn’t have to rely on that suit of armor to fight the good fight. A good person has to have a good heart, code of honor and the will to fight the good fight, not a fancy suit filled with gadgets.

“Avengers assemble!”

From: The Avengers

Genre: Comics

Who said it?: Virtually every member of the Avengers at one time or another

The story behind the quote: The quote comes from the super hero team known as the Avengers. The Avengers are “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” and are composed of a myriad of Marvel’s comic book heroes. The first issue of The Avengers tells the team’s original origin tale:

In a bid to defeat his half-brother Thor, Loki tricks The Hulk to go on a rampage. As The Hulk’s sidekick, Rick Jones, send a distress radio call to the Fantastic Four, Loki diverts it but is intercepted by Iron Man, Wasp and Ant-Man. The trio, as well as Thor and The Hulk manage to defeat Loki. Wasp then decides they five of them should join forces. And the Avengers were formed.

The roster has added and lost members as the years passed. Usually, the team is led into battle by Captain America. However, that doesn’t mean that he’s the only one that can summon the Avengers. In fact, any Avengers team member can summon the rest of the group using the quote.

Geek wisdom: There is no shame in asking for assistance when you need help. It’s a common misconception for a lot of individuals to even refuse help as they feel it makes them look weak. Actually, it’s the opposite; it is actually a sign of strength and maturity to know your shortcomings and request for the support of others.

Don’t be ashamed to request for the aid of others.