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Directed by Written by Starring Presented by 126 minutes |
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IRON
MAN
Review
Billionaire playboy and weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr. in an unforgettable performance) is in Afghanistan displaying his company's latest weapon, the Jericho Missile, which launches thousands of tiny bombs. It's a success but on the way back to base, Stark is ambushed and abducted by a group of terrorists who want Stark to build the missile for them. The ambush has also severly damaged Stark's heart, and he has to wear a magnet based on a reactor design he created in order to keep the shrapnel out. He befriends a fellow captive in Yinsen (Shaun Toub) and they work together to build Stark an iron suit to escape. Once Stark returns home, he has a different look on the weapons he has created when seeing them in the hands of terrorists, and decides to no longer manufacture them. This doesn't sit well with Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), Stark's second in command, who believes that weapons technology is Stark Industries' bread and butter. As Stark's loyal assistant Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow in her most prolific role in years) questions his mind, Stark makes a suit of iron to destroy his weapons around the world, much to the chagrin of his best friend, James Rhodes (Terrence Howard), a Colonel in the Air Force and head of its weapons development department. While it's no secret from my family, a lot of my friends would be surprised that I grew up on Marvel Comics, and Iron Man was amongst my favorites, so to see it done as a film the little boy inside me grew excited. IRON MAN is one of the most faithful adaptations from comic to screen ever and is a great debut from Marvel Studios. As Stark, Downey is perfect, capturing the charm, wit, and playboy sophistication flawlessly. This is the role Downey was born to play and it shows. Without him, I don't think IRON MAN would've worked so well, but Jeff Bridges should be given kudos for playing Stane with such an underscored ruthlessness that it's a pleasure to see him in a new area for him. Unrecognizable with a bald head and salt n' pepper goatee, Bridges makes a great adversary for Stark. Paltrow is also fine as Potts, as she's elevated from just his secretary in the comics to a full blown assistant (taking the reigns from Jarvis as well). Speaking of Jarvis, he is Stark's personal AI computer and voiced well by Paul Bettany, it's a drastic change from the comics that I enjoyed and made more sensible in the film universe. The special effects are dazzling, especially in the scenes where Stark builds his Mach II armor for testing. Industrial Light and Magic once again raise the bar for visual effects and nothing, I repeat, NOTHING, looks false here. The direction by Favreau is sharp with a great sense of humor throughout its dark tone, and the storyline involving Stark growing a conscience with his weapons is very topical and delivers very well. It fits right in with the comic book in the many flaws of Tony Stark. There is rarely a dull moment, though the film will appeal to adults more than pre-teen kids due to the origin story within. The film's third act may be viewed as a disappointment, but not for me, as the film takes a new and unique approach to the superhero movie that is both realistic in style and believable in tone. The technology displayed in the film is done extremely well, and plausible in the extent that you could believe such technology can exist. Even a simple scene in Stark's labs in how he designs the armor was an eye catcher. In all, IRON MAN is great entertainment, a home run for Marvel Studios, and a start to what I hope will be a Universe on screen. If the teaser after the credits are any indication, we are in for some "Mighty" times indeed. IRON MAN: 10 Out Of 10 Maggots
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