Iron Man Review
In a world where Hollywood-endorsed B-grade comic book films have dominated the Box Office reaped the financial benefits accordingly, Iron Man offers a relieving reprieve with a film which is both entertaining and well made. A strong lead and outstanding visuals cements Iron Man as one of my favourite mainstream films of 2008.
From the start the suave, whisky-wielding billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) establishes himself as a strong and likeable character. He made an armoured Humvee journey through the war-torn Taliban Middle-East seem not only comfortable and cool, but like a tropical holiday destination.
Having earned his fortune through dealing in military weapons contracting the “Death Merchant” Tony makes a whirlwind visit to Afghanistan in order to secure a trade deal with local military forces. Here his armed company is ambushed, his American guards are killed and Tony is taken hostage and held captive at the hands of political extremists wielding none other than Stark Industries American made weapons. So does this turn into some dire political commentary? An acute social observation and philosophical analysis of consumerism and capitalism? Under the weight of such potential premise Iron Man could have easily toppled and fell, yet it remained nimble and light at heart.
Much of the lightness and excitement of the film comes not from the action and special effects, but from a strong script and casting. With the creative input of 4 credited writers the script and a cast well educated on the action-fantasy genre even the most information laden establishing dialogue seems light and loose with an almost improvisational atmosphere. In particular the quirky, bantering relationship between Tony and his sassy secretary Pepper Potts (Gweneth Paltrow) shine as improve comedy highlights in the film. Director Jon Favreau granted Downey Jr much creative freedom in his role, exploiting his sharpness and clean comedic genius.
Much of what saves Iron Man from
From the start the suave, whisky-wielding billionaire Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) establishes himself as a strong and likeable character. He made an armoured Humvee journey through the war-torn Taliban Middle-East seem not only comfortable and cool, but like a tropical holiday destination.
Having earned his fortune through dealing in military weapons contracting the “Death Merchant” Tony makes a whirlwind visit to Afghanistan in order to secure a trade deal with local military forces. Here his armed company is ambushed, his American guards are killed and Tony is taken hostage and held captive at the hands of political extremists wielding none other than Stark Industries American made weapons. So does this turn into some dire political commentary? An acute social observation and philosophical analysis of consumerism and capitalism? Under the weight of such potential premise Iron Man could have easily toppled and fell, yet it remained nimble and light at heart.
Much of the lightness and excitement of the film comes not from the action and special effects, but from a strong script and casting. With the creative input of 4 credited writers the script and a cast well educated on the action-fantasy genre even the most information laden establishing dialogue seems light and loose with an almost improvisational atmosphere. In particular the quirky, bantering relationship between Tony and his sassy secretary Pepper Potts (Gweneth Paltrow) shine as improve comedy highlights in the film. Director Jon Favreau granted Downey Jr much creative freedom in his role, exploiting his sharpness and clean comedic genius.
Much of what saves Iron Man from