Last Friday night I checked out Iron Man. Turns out that it's the second best superhero movie I've ever seen behind the brilliant Batman Begins (yeah alliteration!). So far, the movie's been getting rave reviews and it pulled in $200+ million at the box office last weekend. Needless to say, I didn't need much convinicing to reach the determination that the flick was awesome.
The film begins in Afghanistan (updated from Vietnam in the comics) where billionaire weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (played excellently by Robert Downey Jr.) is en route to Bagram Air Force base after demonstrating a new weapons system, Jericho, to the American military brass. The convoy is subsequently attacked by a local warlord and Tony Stark is captured. I should also mention that Stark is grievously injured in the attack and he is saved by a fellow prisoner. The prisoner hooks up a car battery to Stark's chest which keeps the shrapnel from entering his heart. Stark's captors order him to build a Jericho for them. With the help of his fellow prisoner, Stark builds a prototype weapons suit instead and escapes from the warlord's grasps. Stark eventually makes his way back to Malibu, CA and to Stark Industries where he is met by his assitant Pepper Potts (endearingly portrayed by Gwyneth Paltrow),his business partner Obadiah Stone (Jeff Bridges, oh and by the way, he is, as usual, ingenious in this role) and his best friend Maj. Jim Rhodes (Terrance Howard). At a press conference, Stark announces that he will no longer manufacture weapons, much to the chagrin of Stone and the plot takes off from there. If I were delve into it any further I would spoil a great movie for you, that you really need to see.
Iron Man was simply very well done. Jon Favreau has assembled a top-notch cast and crafted a superb film. Downey Jr., Paltrow, Bridges, and Howard all are at the top of their game in Iron Man. Favreau deserves major props for his visionary casting of Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Downey Jr. approaches the role with visible understanding and humor. Iron Man, resembles Batman Begins, in the sense that both films did not let character development and dialouge take a back seat to action. That being said, the special effects and fight sequences are very good, culminating in a great face off between Iron Man and Iron Monger. Iron Man is a can't miss film that will be enjoyed by comic lovers and non-geeks alike. Also, fans of Marvel comics should make sure to stick around after the credits for a, needless to say, provocative final scene.
Rating: ***1/2
*Uwe Boll/Michael Bay Bad **Keeanu Reevesish ***Great ****Excellent
