Iron Man Character Analysis
Tony Stark’s Character Growth in Iron Man In the beginning of Iron Man, the main protagonist, Tony Stark, was generally a bad person. He was an extreme example of the celebrity stereotype-- flashy, arrogant, self-absorbed, and rude. Stark took personal honors, as well as relationships with others, for granted. But that all changed when Stark was kidnapped by a terroristic rebel group. During his time as a prisoner, Tony saw what horrors his technology could be used for, and later escaped captivity humbled and changed. From the moment he returned, Stark’s character started growing into a caring and heroic figure. Specifically, Tony Stark emerged as a new man, actually caring for his assistant, Pepper Pots, being concerned about what his technology is used for, and becoming Iron Man to save others. In the beginning of the film, it became apparent that Pepper Pots did quite a lot for Tony. She was his manager after all. Although, portraying his original shallow character, Stark didn’t ever really seem grateful to her for what she did for him, and would just rattle off tasks for her to do. At one point, he even forgot Pepper’s birthday, saying, “It's your birthday?... Well, get yourself something nice for me”. (Iron Man) This quote truly shows the disregard that Stark had for his assistant, and the disconnect between the two. Fast forward to after Tony’s capture, and while attending one of his social functions, Stark danced with Pepper for quite a while, making meaningful conversation. The two even almost kissed. lThroughout the movie, Tony’s caring grew for Pepper, with him saving her from
Obadiah Stane, the eventual villain of the movie. At one point, when Pepper told Tony that he is all she has, Tony replied with, “You’re all I have too”. (Iron Man) At the conclusion of the movie, the stage was set for the beginning of Tony and Pepper’s relationship, which was truly a 180 degree turn from where the two began the movie. Another such change
Obadiah Stane, the eventual villain of the movie. At one point, when Pepper told Tony that he is all she has, Tony replied with, “You’re all I have too”. (Iron Man) At the conclusion of the movie, the stage was set for the beginning of Tony and Pepper’s relationship, which was truly a 180 degree turn from where the two began the movie. Another such change
Cited: Iron Man. Dir. Jon Favreau. Perf. Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges. Paramount Pictures, 2008. DVD.