Recent superhero movies haven't exactly run the emotional gamut. From Spider-Man's angst to Batman's brooding, too many heroes seem to loathe the powers and abilities audiences would give their Lassos of Truth to possess. In Iron Man,"" however, Robert Downey Jr. and Director Jon Favreau have made a superhero movie that's equal parts action, intellect and humor and that earns its place in the pantheon of great comic book adaptations.
Downey plays Tony Stark, the billionaire playboy/genius. A likeable cad, Stark is seemingly never without a drink in his hand or, at the very least, en route to his next drink.
While in Afghanistan to demonstrate his company's newest weaponry, Stark is captured and wounded by terrorists using his weapons - the same weapons he built to defeat the terrorists. He treats this event as a semi-religious awakening, vowing to use his gifts to make the world safer and donning his metal armor to destroy the weapons that have fallen into the wrong hands.
Although ""Iron Man"" features an outstanding supporting cast including Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, the film ultimately succeeds on the strength of Downey's character. Downey has been known as a wild personality, and that same personality allows him to inhabit Tony Stark so well. Downey mixes his character's sense of responsibility with the kind of excitement that any member of the audience might have were they suddenly granted Iron Man's armor. Downey's interpretation of Stark feels very human and sympathetic and is one of the first fully relatable comic book characters in years.
Favreau's direction is impressive, especially for a director who has never directed anything this big before. It's clear that Favreau had fun imagining Iron Man's world and watching Downey and company play in it. The visual effects are amazing, and there is a seamless transition between what's real and what's been digitally rendered. The final battle between Iron Man and the film's nemesis is a master class in comic book action. Any future superhero films would be wise to take notes during the battle on the freeway or when Stark is chased by fighter jets. Favreau's direction creates a comic book movie with adult sensibilities, yet retains a young-at-heart mentality.
""Iron Man"" is the first film produced by Marvel Studios - Marvel Comics' new film studio. This is a great first film for the studio; true to the comic books for the purists, but accessible enough for general audiences. Devoted Marvel readers should also be sure to stay for the post-credits scene, where their knowledge of Marvel lore will undoubtedly pay off.
""Iron Man"" is the first great movie of the summer blockbuster season and has set the bar high for the rest of this year's slate. The strength of Downey's personality alone makes for an entertaining film, but the action sequences and fantastic supporting cast puts it over the top. Borrowing a little something from Black Sabbath, fans should be running as fast as they can; ""Iron Man"" lives again.
