Iron Man: A-
It has been quite some time since a summer film season had this much hype and anticipation surrounding it. From The Dark Knight to Indy’s return, this summer offers more build up than many film buffs can endure. Fortunately the season starts early and wading through minor titles to get to one of the big names is not necessary, as bashing out of the gate is Iron Man.
Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark and for those unfamiliar with the comic series, such as myself, Stark is the head of his family’s weapons manufacturing company. Stark Industries and its namesake are at the forefront of military technology and have facilitated America’s continued dominance in the world by providing them with the latest in warfare. While off promoting his latest weapon of mass destruction, Stark’s “Fun-Vee” is ambushed by a group of Afghani terrorists who proceed to hold him captive and force him to build them a missile. Unbeknownst to his captors Stark builds an iron suit from the missile parts, leading to an escape filled with terrorists being pummeled in to cave walls and duel flamethrowers charring those unfortunate enough to be in caught in Stark’s path.
Making it back to the States and laying low after his recent realization that all the weapons he and his father had been making for years actually had been killing people, Stark begins work on his advanced iron suit. After a series of tests in which Stark charmingly banters with his robots, he completes his final model and immediately begins to correct the wrongs of his earlier life with his newfound morality. Escalation continues throughout the film and leads to a climatic battle between Stark and another iron soldier through a crowded expressway, in the skies, and eventually on the rooftop of Stark Industries.
Jon Favreau’s first foray into action films fits the billing of an early summer blockbuster with Downey Jr. giving a performance of believable transition from “Merchant of Death” to self-proclaimed hero. Both Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard add to the overall story with solid supporting roles and Jeff Bridges counters Downey Jr. well on screen. The effects, as would be expected, are phenomenal making the audience wish that air travel could actually be as exhilarating and simplistic as it is for Iron Man. Though highly entertaining and visually stunning Iron Man fits more into the mold of a popcorn film rather than a more dramatic take on a superhero franchise.
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