Iron Man
Directed by Jon Favreau
Marvel Studios 2008
By Caesar Martini
Iron Man is the first Marvel superhero movie to have actually been put out by Marvel Studios; previous efforts have always run through a bigger studio (e.g., Sony had Spider-Man, Fox had X-Men). When a bunch of three-piece suited studio executives who have never read a comic book produce a superhero movie, they destroy the material and create a horrid afterbirth of a film that makes you want to beat them to death with a pillowcase full of kittens (I’m talking to YOU, makers of Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Elektra, Batman 3 and 4, etc., etc.) This was a big test for Marvel Studios. A lot hinged on this film. They not only hit a home run, but they knocked the ball out of the park, over the street, and into the living room of your grandmother, who was subsequently hospitalized for an awesomeness overdose. This is probably one of the three best comic-book–movie adaptations ever.
Iron Man is the story of billionaire inventor Tony Stark, who is captured and held hostage by terrorists. Wounded, he constructs a device to protect his heart from the shrapnel in his chest. He also constructs a suit of armor that he uses to escape captivity. Once free, he returns home, refines his suit, and becomes an iron-clad superhero.
The team behind the movie really knew the material; they streamlined and even improved it for presentation on the big screen. Small changes have resulted in a film that makes more sense than the comic book. Iron Man hasn’t exactly been a household name like Spider-Man and Batman. However, by taking core elements of the character and the comic and combining them with blockbuster sensibility, the team created a brilliant, sexy merging. The story and pacing are good, the special effects are great, and the dialogue is fantastic: it’s all friggin’ awesome.
A large part of the credit goes to Jon Favreau. This is his first time directing a big action movie, and he didn’t succumb to the typical “action-scenes-look-better-if-you-shake-the-camera-around-like-you’re-having-a-seizure” mentality; thank god for action scenes where I can actually tell what’s going on. Many elements of the film call on the character’s comic-book history. Examples include Tony Stark’s womanizing and extravagance, and the foreshadowing of his alcoholism, little touches that go a long way.
The rest of the credit should go to Robert Downey Jr., who was phenomenal as Tony Stark. In fact, his portrayal of Tony Stark in the film is better than the comic-book character as originally written. He’s charming, witty, likable, brilliant, and driven, but also terribly flawed. I know some critics are saying, “Ooh, Downey Jr. playing a rich alcoholic womanizing playboy, what a stretch.” Regardless, he’s amazing. Besides, I think Downey liked the nose candy more than the booze.
The chemistry between actors is undeniable, and it gives the entire picture a very authentic feel. Watching someone fly through the air in an iron suit of death and blast the crap out of things is awesome in itself, but this film would be less rewarding without the real and entertaining human interactions that support the action. I enjoyed watching scenes with Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow almost as much as I enjoyed watching Iron Man play mid-air cat-and-mouse with two fighter jets.
Comic-book superhero movies don’t get much better than this.
This was an amazing movie, I didn’t know that it was Marvel’s first in house pic though, so that’s a mighty good sign of things to come.
Yes it does! I don’t think Hulk will be AS good, but I still have high hopes for it. Fueling my high hopes: the news that the Hulk/Abomination fight is in the neighborhood of 20 minutes long. Boo-yah!
20 minutes long?!? Thanks for the good news!