When did a base metal like iron acquire such a sexy persona?
Iron Man is the first blockbuster out of the gate this comic book character laden summer of 2008.
Thankfully, Iron Man is pure entertainment, a killer story with newsy elements, a charismatic and sexy hero, seamless special effects and a cool hilltop Malibu home!
With a budget estimated at 198 million dollars, much is expected of Iron Man. Every cent is up there. Although seriously, who would worry? It’s a superhero sensation that’s brings a little known Marvel hero to larger than life dimensions, with more intrigue than most tentpoles.
Iron Man’s colossal, it’s stupendous, it’s FUN.
Grand Theft Auto who?
Robert Downey Jr. is a fascinating individual but I would never have thought of him in a million years, a new super hero at age 43? Turns out, he has what it takes to bring dimension to a comic book character.
His Tony Stark is a brainy loner, no doubt a former ballet dancer like Downey – that graceful back, posture and carriage. He has a well-developed relationship with his body, which helps override the cumbersome armour in its earliest stages.
Stark is Teflon, he can’t commit to anything but the high life, until fate intervenes during a business trip to the middle east.
Downey updates Tony Stark as a New Age munitions mogul, suddenly galvanized and on a mission to spread peace not weapons. He’s ironically hip and pretty ding dang sexy for a superhero. He handles himself especially well under tough physical restrictions.
Some say Stark/Iron Man is flawed, but whatever. How else can you to develop complexity or show a character’s human traits. He’s narcissistic, lonely, fey and cool, and a million other things as well. Downey has made an intriguing person out of a comic book character.
Gwyneth Paltrow plays Tony Stark’s assistant Pepper Potts, a close confidante and as Stark says, all he has. Their relationship brims with unspoken things, but Stark’s navigating enemy threats, and there’s no time for sexy domesticity.
Not to worry – there is plenty of time to turn up the heat in future sequels. The actors seemed comfortable together.
We open in Afghanistan, where Stark’s glib weapons mogul is traveling the desert checking on stockpiles. He’s apparently mortally wounded in a bomb attack after witnessing wholesale destruction rained down on innocent villagers by his weapons.
No time to think though because he’s taken hostage by decidedly unfriendly and (and stereotypical) Afghan soldiers who know who he is.
He’s held under heavy high tech guard in one of those famous mountain caves, forced to build weapons. Just out of view of the surveillance camera, he secretly fashions himself a suit of armour.
Thankfully Favreau doesn’t keep us waiting too long to reveal Iron Man!
Favreau combines foreground and background action to clever effect. An American security team arrives at a soldiers’ lair, submitting to guard by the Afghans. The action moves inside for a few minutes. Outside again, the tables are turned and the Afghans are lined up in the sights of the Yankee raiders. Barely a nod to it. Brill.
Robert Downey Jr. - the trust is back! There was a long period when he was uninsurable because of prolonged high profile drug and legal problems. But looky here! He is entrusted with a brand new brand, and a mountain of money. It’ all riding on him as he looks ahead to his first franchise and I’m as thrilled as anyone. He deserves it.
The man has endless talent and as is fitting a hero, tremendous appeal and grace.
Iron Man’s not subtle in the least, but it is clever and elegant.
35mm action adventure
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