Iron Man – 2008

***½ Out of ****

All superhero movies follow the same process to develop their hero; and maybe that is necessary, for the movies with absolute heroes, or those with feeble back stories are often presented as dry and unsatisfying. Batman Begins showed us how a superhero movie could become so much more if the right steps were taken, if such a film thought itself not as a hero flick, but as a serious drama. While Iron Man does not match that success, it is the best superhero movie since, one of the best of all time, and the best film of the year so far.

In fact, one could say that Iron Man goes one step further then Batman Begins, exploring out heroes back story and beginnings even more thoroughly and with even more care. While not always successful, with the help of Robert Downey Jr.’s superb acting chops this is a comic epic to behold. Director John Favreau has not impressed me in the past, not to say he was without skill however. Elf was passable, and Zathura was a step down from Jumanji, and yet he has pulled apart his brain to the core in this effort.

Billionaire weapons manufacturer Tony Stark is every yuppies man; wealthy, smooth with the ladies and uses his charm to spin his weapons sales into tools of “humanity”. (In that they are accurate and thusly kill fewer innocents) On a sale in the Middle East, Tony’s convoy is attacked and he is taken hostage. Forced into making one of his weapons for the enemy, although they are formidably outfitted with his merchandise already, he instead, with the help of his fellow inmate Yinsen (Shaun Toub) builds a mechanized suit and escapes. Back in the U.S., he refines his technology to do good; along with shutting down his weapons manufacturing branch and begins to see the world for what it is.

There is stellar supporting work from Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane as his father’s old business partner, Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark’s lovely assistant, and Terrance Howard as Jim Rhodes, Starks military go-to-guy. All of these fine actors compliment Downey’s performance impeccably and make him a true star. His quick wit is parallel to that of the sarcastic yet fun-loving undertone of the film, and he is surely an unconventional looking superhero; which, by the way is half the appeal. The special effects are some of the best ever conceived, and are blended flawlessly into the reality of the film. The various suits of armour, both in combat and in production and thoughtfully presented and to be a tad unprofessional for a moment, looks badass. Everything that happens along the way is believable (even though it is all clearly preposterous) there are some sinister twists and revelations that keep you engrossed.

Action junkies could be left wanting, but this style of superhero movie thrilled me more then those packed with action and effects, and there are many fascinating paths out man of iron could take in the future. Downey Jr. has outdone himself, and here’s hoping that this will bring him further into a much deserved spotlight. So fly don’t walk to Iron Man, come home pumped up, crack a beer and put on some Black Sabbath and wait for the sequel, because blockbusters like this don’t come by very often.

© 2008 Simon Brookfield