Iron Man Movie Review
Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges; Directed by Jon Favreau
For years, Tony Stark has lived in the lap of luxury off of the billions of dollars he has made producing the latest technologically-advanced weapons. He is as comfortable at billiard tables, clubs, swanky hotels, and vice-laden jets as he is tinkering with gadgets in the basement of his Malibu mansion. Without the burden of any kind of responsibility on his conscience, Stark's carefree demeanor and sarcastic humor mark him to the world as one of the coolest guys around. But to the people inside his highly-protected circle of intimate acquaintances, he can be absolutely infuriating. But when Stark is captured by a terrorist group who demand that he build them a weapon of mass destruction, Stark is shaken up for the first time by a startling attack of moral integrity. It is a new man who emerges from the dark caves of Afghanistan, bearing a sense of purpose which he has never had before.
Robert Downey Jr. is a lot of fun to watch, and it almost seems as if this role was made for him. He fits into the cynical playboy persona quite comfortably, but is equally believable once he grows a conscience and begins to display a vulnerability that's probably been kept hidden for decades. Gwyneth Paltrow portrays his loyal assistant, Pepper Potts, who is one of the few who has had the mental strength and tenacity to stick around this selfish, silver-tongued scientific genius. She is successfully able to avoid falling flatly into the 'damsel-in-distress' role (unlike, say, Kirsten Dunst in Spiderman) and instead adopts a level-headed manner that steers away from being condescending or snobbish, but rather makes her an almost matronly figure...almost. Other notable is Jeff Bridges as Obadiah, Stark Industries' second-in-command. As the film's main villain, he is certainly not the worst opponent that Iron Man will ever face, but is nonetheless a formidable foe. There's no overdramatic bravado (unlike, say, Willem Dafoe in Spiderman), but rather he manages to house a kind of controlled rage in his eyes over a warm smile and a friendly handshake. He's the kind of guy who'd make you wet your pants if he looked at you crossly. That's power.
Iron Man is a very fun flick. The special effects don't tend to overwhelm the film or bog down the pace. It has an appropriate level of darkness that is grounded in reality, and the script's ability to avoid having the characters fall into stereotype makes Iron Man rank high in the canon of superhero films. Jon Favreau is a capable director, though the film can feel a bit unbalanced at times, with too much emphasis being given to some sequences, and not enough time being lent to others. For instance, we stay far too long in the Afghan caves, and not nearly enough time with antagonist Obadiah to fully realize his motives or intentions. But all in all, Iron Man does not disappoint, and you will find yourself eagerly awaiting the sequel. And as a tip, here's a general good rule of thumb; always stay until the end of the credits...
Grading:
Story = B+
Originality = A
DVD Features = N/A
Acting = A
Enjoyability = A-
Visuals = A
Overall = A-
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