For me, “Iron Man” is the first of several eagerly anticipated summer films and it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Its $100.7 million weekend box office grosses indicate that a good number of people across the country weren't disappointed either. Director Jon Favreau keeps the tone light while developing both characters and story and the result is an exceptional superhero movie. Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), a multi-billionaire weapons manufacturer and genius inventor, has a change of heart (literally and figuratively) after being injured by one of his own missiles and then captured by Afghani terrorists. Tony escapes by building a bulletproof iron suit, but not before he discovers he must wear an electromagnet attached to his chest to keep shrapnel from moving to his heart. Once home, he decides to terminate the company’s weapons division and concentrate on perfecting the iron suit. However, his decision sends his stock plummeting and his board of directors moves to lock Tony out.
Favreau uses story and character to develop Iron Man’s origins, rather than rely on action and special effects. Of course, there is plenty of action and special effects, but they support the narrative rather than become the focus. And Robert Downy, Jr. is absolutely perfect as a rather naïve, spoiled playboy who is shocked into awareness and once aware, cannot stand by and do nothing. Downey brings a credible intensity to Tony’s transformation and his acerbic delivery of lines only enhances his character. The work of two screenwriting teams, Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (“Children of Men”) and Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, results in a cohesive narrative and snappy and humorous dialogue for Downey. Downey’s able supporting cast consists of Gwyneth Paltrow (Tony’s devoted Girl Friday, Pepper Potts), a bald and bearded Jeff Bridges (Tony’s ambitious business partner, Obadiah Stane), and Terrence Howard his Air Force buddy, Jim Rhodes).
The special effects are top-notch and some are even played for laughs, such as when Tony scolds a robot for spraying him with fire-extinguishing chemicals when he wasn’t on fire and the robot moans and hangs his head. However, at the center of “Iron Man” is the suit and we marvel at what it can do – flying machine, rocket launcher, flame thrower, bulletproof outfit, and cell phone all rolled into one. I want one of those! Even for those who aren’t fans of superhero movies, “Iron Man’ is highly entertaining and certainly not to be missed. (5/4/08)
2 comments:
Danny's thoughts -
So rarely am I asked to actually share my thoughts, that I decided to take advantage of the opportunity given the fact that I finally got out and saw a movie. I have to say, I really enjoyed "Iron Man." I don't know much of the technical jargon that our pro here brings to the table, but I do know what I like and don't like. I had no idea what to expect and zero knowledge of the storyline going in. I was plesantly surprised, as were the three people I was with. When the sequel comes around, and it is screaming for a sequel, I will be sure to see it.
I resisted going to see this, because I'm not into big budget action films. However, it is a pleasure to watch Robert Downey,Jr. work. Unlike many of his contemporaries, the "stars", he is a true craftsman with real talent to match.
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