Friday, May 2, 2008

Iron Man

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            As far as super hero films of recent years go, they are either hit or miss.  You either get a complete wreck of a film like the terrible Fantastic Four films, or you might get something that is a complete pleasure like the great Spiderman 2 or the magnificent Batman Begins.  The quality of these films really does vary but one thing is for sure, Iron Man is one film not to worry about.  It is a smart, smooth, and surprisingly funny comic book movies that I think everyone could enjoy.

            Iron Man revolves around the billionaire weapons manufacturer playboy Tony Stark, played with lots of charisma and comic grace by Robert Downey Jr.  He is a carefree, playboy who wants little more in life then to chase woman, drink, and tinker with his toys.  Life is a game for the charming Stark or at least until some terrorists capture him, while demonstrating new weapons his company made.  In the process of being captured his heart is severally harmed and he must make a devise that attaches to his in order to stay alive. 

            While captured Stark is forced to make a powerful weapon for the terrorist that have captured him, but he knows he will never survive unless he escapes.  So Stark goes to work on making an advanced suit of iron that will help him escape from his captures.  He blasts his way out of the prison he is in and uses his new suit of iron to escape to his freedom.  This experience sobers Stark up a bit and makes him reconsider his way of life, and now Stark decides he needs to do something good for the world.  Stark decides then to refine the suit he made while captured and use it in order to protect the people that his weapons put in harms way. 

            Once the action starts in this film, it is already pretty far into the film, but that is not a complaint for me.  All this back-story is interesting and I think it helps the film by going the more intelligent route.  It develops the characters and takes its time to tell the films story.  Iron Man is a film that puts action almost second to developing a good story and some actually solid characters to watch on the screen.  Now I don’t want to make it seem like the film is boring at parts, because it surely is not.  It may not be filled with wall-to-wall action but it is paced well. 

            What really caught me off guard is just how clever and funny this film actually was.  As far as super hero films go, I have never seen one as funny as this one.   The script is rather witty and has some razor sharp one-liners that Robert Downey delivers wonderfully.  In particular I think that the scenes between Stark and his assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) are really well done.  Paltrow and Downey have some real chemistry with one another and there exchange of dialogue is something that seems more suited to a comedy from the thirties then a modern comic book film.  This kind of sharp dialogue was a nice touch to the film as it provides surprisingly good laughs. 

            The film itself does not take itself as serious as others might.  It really has some very light moment that mesh well with more serious ones.  The sense of humor of this film is a good one and I laughed a good amount of times.  It is really sharp in it laughs too and this took me off guard.  It is a funnier movies then most of the bland comedies that come out now of days.  I laughed at this film a hell of a lot more then trash like I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry or Fools Gold.

            As far as the action goes it is still fairly effective.  The action scenes don’t pop up at you with great visual flair but they do there job well enough.  Jon Favreau directed this film and I think he just does not have a complete mastery yet on scenes of action.  That not to say he did a bad job, but he did a much better job at scenes of dialogue or comedy.  He is no Sam Raimi but like I said he is effective enough to make the film work.  Favreau has never made a big action movie like this one before so this is new turf, and I think he will do a better job the next time, as this film is a likely candidate to have a sequel. 

            What really is the high light of this film is the great (yes I said it) performance by Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.  He really elevates this film and makes it better then it could have been.  He delivers countless laughs and does it with great skill.  Downey’s charm is working over time here as he delivers one-liners like a pro and uses a wonderful kind of sarcasms to great effect.  While he is on screen there is never a dull moment and essentially he steels the show.  Downey’s charms make the special effects and about everything else seem secondary.  I think he hits just the right note for this film.

            Over all there is lots to enjoy in this cool super hero flick.  It is an effective enough action film, but it also has a smart side to it with plenty of good laughs.  Adding to that Robert Downey gives a very solid performance as the lead and for that matter the entire cast is rather good.  Lots of talented people are in this films cast.  I think this is up there with the best of the super hero films and it has something for everyone.  It has some nifty special effects and some good action if you want that.  It also is smart and has not one dumb moment in it.  Then on top of it all it is surprisingly funny and witty. So if you want a good popcorn film, plus a little something more, then Iron Man is for you.

31/2 / 4 Stars