Stan Lee

Cast View all

	Kevin Feige	Self
	Jack Kirby	Self
	J.C. Lee	Self
	Joan Lee	Self
	Stan Lee	Self
	Julius Schwartz	Self
	Joe Simon	Self
	Flo Steinberg	Self
	Warren Storab	Self
	Roy Thomas	Self
	Spiro Agnew	Self
	Chadwick Boseman	Self
	Kenneth Branagh	Self
	George W. Bush	Self
	Charlie Chaplin	Self
	Bill Clinton	Self
	Hillary Clinton	Self
	Benedict Cumberbatch	Self
	Robert Downey Jr.	Self
	Chris Evans	Self
	Jon Favreau	Self
	Martin Freeman	Self
	George Harrison	Self
	Chris Hemsworth	Self
	Tom Holland	Self

Crew View all

Director	David Gelb
Producer	Gill Champion, David Gelb, Lauren Goralski, Andy Heyward, Danny Hirsch, Andrew McAllister, Jamie McBriety, Brian McGinn, Samantha Polan, Jeff Redmond, Sarah Regan, Jason Sterman
Musician	Michael Dean Parsons, Scott Michael Smith
Photography	Ernesto Lomeli

Trailer

Edition details

Personal

Notes

My quick rating - 6.0/10. This documentary is more of an autobiography than a traditional documentary, offering a heartfelt and nostalgic celebration of one of pop culture's most influential figures. Chronicling the life and career of Stan Lee, the co-creator of iconic characters like the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, X-Men, and The Avengers to name a few, the film serves as both a love letter to his legacy and an exploration of the golden age of comics. Much of the story is narrated by Lee himself, giving the film a personal touch that resonates with fans who have followed his career over the decades. The documentary dives into his philosophy of creating relatable heroes and compelling stories, which is fascinating and reflects his profound impact on the comic book industry. For longtime fans like me—who fondly remember biking to the comic shop every Tuesday during junior high to pick up the latest issues—the film is a nostalgic trip down memory lane. The creative use of sculptures to depict elements of the golden age of comics is visually striking and effectively captures the era's magic. It also touches on significant moments, such as Lee’s collaborations and clashes with artists Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby. While these insights are appreciated, they feel somewhat surface-level, leaving much to be desired if you are looking for deeper exploration. Unfortunately, the documentary glosses over large portions of Lee’’s life, particularly after Marvel's sale—a pivotal moment whose details are left unaddressed. The film skips a significant gap from the late 1960s to the 2010s, missing an opportunity to shed light on Lee’’s life away from Marvel and his thoughts on how his characters were handled in the years following his departure. While it briefly mentions his marriage to Joan Lee and their daughter, these personal details are fleeting and lack depth. For new fans or those unfamiliar with Lee’’s history, this flick serves as an engaging primer, but for longtime enthusiasts, it offers little new information. It feels more like a tribute than a comprehensive biography, leaving questions about the man behind the legend largely unanswered. Still, as a celebration of a true cultural icon, it succeeds in showcasing the joy and wonder he brought to millions. While it doesn’t delve as deeply into his personal life or later years as I would have hoped, the documentary remains a well-made homage to one of the greatest storytellers of our time.

Tags

Links