“Iron Man” is the strongest of the Marvel solo outings thus far. The necessities of a great film were met (great cast, fun dialog, cogent plot and perfect pacing) as well as the requirements for creating a grande franchise. Back in 2008, I left the theater wanting more–a lot more!
“Iron Man” was the first comic book film to be produced exclusively by Marvel rather than a film studio. Their objective was simple: establish a series of films about some of the most popular marquee comic book characters. All of the characters would exist in one large, core universe. Each hero would be introduced (or reintroduced) in their own starring feature. The individual sagas would cross-pollinate with each other, including referential asides to other movies and incorporating recurring characters such Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury and Clark Greg’s Agent Colson–members of the Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate, lovingly known by comic nerds as S.H.I.E.L.D.
“Iron Man” already began to reference the larger universe it encompassed. For example, Colson makes his first appearance as mysterious government agent who arrives to greet Tony Stark, Iron Man’s alter ego, after he escapes from terrorist imprisonment. No one in the story seems to know what to make of Colson, except that he desires greatly to “debrief” Tony, who practically ignores his requests. At the film’s conclusion, Colson appeared to serve no real purpose to the plot. It will take a few more Marvel films before audiences–as well as Tony–fully understand Colson’s true intentions.
“Iron Man” was the engine car of a Marvel’s franchise-establishing freight train, with Friday’s release of “The Avengers” serving as the caboose. If “Iron Man” was a failure in 2008, the train might have derailed. There may not have been an “Avengers” or even a “Thor” or “Captain America.”
“Iron Man” could have been a cheap concoction of a film built to merely cross-promote the additional movies that followed, which included “The Incredible Hulk”, “Thor” and “Captain America”. Instead, Marvel spared no expense to allow each film to stand on it’s own and focused on a core story. Each film is a unique entity with its own style that’s correlated with unique attributes of Marvel’s diverse character roster. The films were given to the care some high-brow film-makers and a famous cast including Stanley Tucci, Jeff Bridges, Anthony Hopkins, Tommy Lee Jones, Gwneyth Paltrow, Stellan Skarsgard and, of course, Robert Downey Jr.
Marvel took a leap of faith by giving the Tony Stark/Iron Man role to Downey, whose career had been in decline as a result of drug abuse. His recent career choices were also mixed. Just two years earlier, Downey was taking lame supporting roles, such as Disney’s remake to the “Shaggy Dog”. At the time “Iron Man” was being filmed, Downey was 42; a somewhat older age for the starring role of a superhero.
However, Downey was perfect and the best element of the film. His supreme performance helped instill Tony Stark with the most charisma of any comic book superhero yet. In the comics, Stark is a vain, arrogant, fast-talking tycoon obsessed with many vices including booze and women. He also experiences depression and isolation. Downey manages to engage all of these emotions and qualities within the film’s first 15 minutes, while being remaining utterly charming and likeable.
Credit for “Iron Man’s” success must be partially awarded to Jon Favreau, a successful character-actor-turned-director. Like his previous films, Favreau shows his love for good acting. Along with Downey, he casted Oscar winner Gwyneth Paltrow as his long-suffering secretary and confidant, Pepper Potts; Jeff Bridges as his close corporate partner, Obadiah Stane; and Terence Howard as his lifetime buddy and military connection, Rhodey.
“Iron Man” shares many elements of superhero movies. But, it rises above most by allowing the characters to feel alive and real, rather than exist merely as devises to push the plot forward. In the opening scenes, Tony and Pepper engage in a battle of words that feels real and enjoyable. The two actors step over each other’s words in an authentic way that is reminiscent of the classic 1940s films about the battles of the sexes. Paltrow and Downey have an instant chemistry. The script is wise to avoid hints of romantic intrigue. The actors are so suggestive during their exchange, that it wasn’t necessary. Downey also has fun with co-stars Bridges and Howard. The actual “Iron Man” alter ego won’t make an appearance for another 45 minutes, but the actors are so dynamic during their interactions that the story never drags.
Like most comic heroes, the protagonist pursues a life of heroics after being changed by some personal tragedy. In this case, Stark is taken hostage by terrorists and forced to build a bomb. Instead, he secretly creates a suit of armor with the help of a fellow prisoner assigned as his assistant. The man gives his life to save Tony, who decides to change his life to protect life rather than war-profiteering.
Stark uses his original concept to develop a more advanced suit of armor that eventually becomes his “Iron Man” disguise. Downey is so captivating that he makes his trial-and-error process of developing his suit a pleasure to behold. There is humor to be had as his initial attempts fail. Eventually, his suit manages to rocket-propel him at amazing speeds and heights while packing an array of cool weaponry. The special effects during the “Iron Man” text flights and battles are dynamic and fun.
Later, the plot takes a twist and the real villains come to light. It’s during the climatic battle that the film takes a slight dip in quality. The dialog, which comes fast and smart, is lame during the villain’s mockery of “Iron Man’s” inefficiencies and supposed inferiority. Why do film-makers insist on having the villains talk smack while engaged in combat and why is the dialog almost always lame and juvenile.
Despite the lame final battle, “Iron Man” propels past most comic book films in terms of character and dialog. The earlier “Iron Man” suit tests are extremely fun. The action sequences are really exciting, especially Stark’s suspenseful escape from the terrorists.
But it was Downey who made “Iron Man”. His performance deserves the same level of kudos for the film’s success as Johnny Depp was given for helping “Pirates of the Caribbean” become a multi-billion dollar juggernaut. As a result, “Iron Man” is by far the most successful Marvel film in the “Avengers” flicks. When the “Avengers” makes big, consider how much less it would be if Downey wasn’t involved. “Iron Man” was just as fun when Downey was Tony Stark and exchanging sharp witticisms with the other actors. On Friday, are you eager to see Thor and Captain America talk shop between battles?
Stay tuned for part 2–Hulk SMASH!!
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