Iron Man is Marvel's answer to Batman. Both are gazillionaires who
pour their immense fortune (obtained from weaponry) to fund their
personal crusades. Both wield no "super powers". Both are haunted by loss and are driven by such
trauma to save humanity from itself. But whereas Bruce Wayne's
life-mission is to exact vengeance on wrongdoers, Tony Stark aims to
have sinful fun while saving the world. He's not as focused, but he makes up
for it with his technological genius.
It's refreshing to see a hero with as much fortune as Tony Stark enjoy it as he does (wouldn't we all want to be in his shoes?). Bruce Wayne has sleek toys, but his purchases always feel calculated, even sinister, as a means to his ends. Stark on the other hand has a streak of reckless spontaneity, which he not only uses to take pleasure, but to channel his creative impulses, especially surrounding his inventions.
Robert Downey Jr. was far from the first actor I envisioned to play Tony Stark. The part always seemed to imply someone of Clark Gable's demeanor and presence. Despite these qualities I find lacking in his performance, he brings to the table certain intagibles that I never thought would matter. Being the gifted actor he is, he wears his character's enjoyment so effortlessly. It's easy to play someone who enjoys good fortune, when Mr. Downey himself has come into it so nicely (and deservedly).
Mr. Downey's personal tragedies with substance abuse give him an edge in conveying an underlying measure of sadness. Note that Stark's mother is never mentioned (did she die in childbirth, or abandon him?), his father died before he could prove his worth as a successor, or show his pride his later accomplishments. He trusts his gizmos more than he does people (except for his inner circle). He drinks about as much as Rick Blaine, and seems to have a side quest to beat James Bond at his own game with the ladies.
Mr. Downey's triumph over his addictions gives a certain poignancy (in a genre that seems to shun the very concept) to Tony Stark's commitment to overcome his legacy of death (from his weapons). I don't think I've ever watched a comic movie where a hero of such brazen behavior could still garner my sympathy over his moment of zen. Yet Mr. Downey does it so skillfully, that I didn't mind if he didn't meet my expectations. Like Michael Keaton did with Batman, he's recast the role.
His playfulness also sets the tone for his fellow actors. Yes, Jeff Bridges (splendid as the villain, and if you didn't know this, then you obviously haven't seen the poster), Gwyneth Paltrow (glowing and stunning as usual), and Terrence Howard, have all been nominated for Acting Oscars in their careers, but it's Mr. Downey (a nominee himself) who keeps them on their toes. Their conversational riffs are improvised, but feel entirely genuine. All of them of them know just when to inject the right amount of seriousness when necessary, and yet they all know how to wear all of this stuff lightly (except for Faran Tahir who is annoying as he hams up as one of the baddies).
Okay, enough about the acting. How was the action? Pretty darned good, but that's to be expected when your film's budget is $135 million. There's a fight near the end of the film that will draw comparisons to Transformers (but nowhere as incoherent), but the true climax of the movie's visual treats is Iron Man's skirmishes with two F-22 raptors. If there is one thing the director understands, it's the wonder of a man taking flight. It works all the time with Superman, and it works with as much awe here as well.
Speaking of the director, it's time that Jon Favreau gets more directing gigs. He's a serviceable actor and is recognizable as such, but he also directed the wonderful Christmas comedy Elf, and the charming space adventure Zathura. If anything ties his films together, it's the sense of that open-eyed childlike wonder (like Spielberg, only with substantially less storytelling skills). When Tony Stark starts to practice hovering around in his armor, he doesn't just deliver the wow, he delivers the hah!
But for all of the shiny thingamagigs and delicious contraptions that abound this film, it's Robert Downey Jr. that makes it all worthwhile. He is to Iron Man what Johnny Depp is to Pirates of the Caribbean (what is it with those 'staches?). There couldn't be a better tycoon to squash Afghan warlords, or be repulsed by his own repulsor rays.
Don't forget to stay after the credits!
Robert Downey Jr. was far from the first actor I envisioned to play Tony Stark. The part always seemed to imply someone of Clark Gable's demeanor and presence. Despite these qualities I find lacking in his performance, he brings to the table certain intagibles that I never thought would matter. Being the gifted actor he is, he wears his character's enjoyment so effortlessly. It's easy to play someone who enjoys good fortune, when Mr. Downey himself has come into it so nicely (and deservedly).
Mr. Downey's personal tragedies with substance abuse give him an edge in conveying an underlying measure of sadness. Note that Stark's mother is never mentioned (did she die in childbirth, or abandon him?), his father died before he could prove his worth as a successor, or show his pride his later accomplishments. He trusts his gizmos more than he does people (except for his inner circle). He drinks about as much as Rick Blaine, and seems to have a side quest to beat James Bond at his own game with the ladies.
Mr. Downey's triumph over his addictions gives a certain poignancy (in a genre that seems to shun the very concept) to Tony Stark's commitment to overcome his legacy of death (from his weapons). I don't think I've ever watched a comic movie where a hero of such brazen behavior could still garner my sympathy over his moment of zen. Yet Mr. Downey does it so skillfully, that I didn't mind if he didn't meet my expectations. Like Michael Keaton did with Batman, he's recast the role.
His playfulness also sets the tone for his fellow actors. Yes, Jeff Bridges (splendid as the villain, and if you didn't know this, then you obviously haven't seen the poster), Gwyneth Paltrow (glowing and stunning as usual), and Terrence Howard, have all been nominated for Acting Oscars in their careers, but it's Mr. Downey (a nominee himself) who keeps them on their toes. Their conversational riffs are improvised, but feel entirely genuine. All of them of them know just when to inject the right amount of seriousness when necessary, and yet they all know how to wear all of this stuff lightly (except for Faran Tahir who is annoying as he hams up as one of the baddies).
Okay, enough about the acting. How was the action? Pretty darned good, but that's to be expected when your film's budget is $135 million. There's a fight near the end of the film that will draw comparisons to Transformers (but nowhere as incoherent), but the true climax of the movie's visual treats is Iron Man's skirmishes with two F-22 raptors. If there is one thing the director understands, it's the wonder of a man taking flight. It works all the time with Superman, and it works with as much awe here as well.
Speaking of the director, it's time that Jon Favreau gets more directing gigs. He's a serviceable actor and is recognizable as such, but he also directed the wonderful Christmas comedy Elf, and the charming space adventure Zathura. If anything ties his films together, it's the sense of that open-eyed childlike wonder (like Spielberg, only with substantially less storytelling skills). When Tony Stark starts to practice hovering around in his armor, he doesn't just deliver the wow, he delivers the hah!
But for all of the shiny thingamagigs and delicious contraptions that abound this film, it's Robert Downey Jr. that makes it all worthwhile. He is to Iron Man what Johnny Depp is to Pirates of the Caribbean (what is it with those 'staches?). There couldn't be a better tycoon to squash Afghan warlords, or be repulsed by his own repulsor rays.
Don't forget to stay after the credits!
Great review. I's short though. No biggie that you're FlipCritic Lite or Diet FlipCritic as the young people say with their hip young lingo. You'll get back to form soon. Especially with your love for the Hulk. Can't wait for that.
My sister and I found Robert Downey Jr disturbingly hot - I guess like you, he wasn't my first choice to play Tony Stark. When I think of RDJr, the mental image that shows up is mostly his mug shots, so forgive me for being shortisghted. The movie was a pleasure to watch -- and my God, those stilettos on Gwyneth! To die for. Peace out Mike!
Finally saw Iron Man today. It's a great movie. I agree with everything except for the skirmish with the Raptors. I thought it was just okay and pretty straightforward. But I did like that Stark confessed to Rhodey that he's the bogey in the middle of it.
In the fight against the Iron Monger/Obadiah Stane, I was hoping those cars they smashed transformed then died cause The Transformers Movie still sucks gas forever and ever.
One of my favorite things is he movie are Stark's workshop and armor. Everything is voice-controlled but relying on comprehension of conceptual object provision by the AI itself. Those are big words I borrowed from a comic. I'm no that smart to make that up.