Lyzsi SinclairIron Man (2008)
Iron Man (2008)
Starring: Robert Downey Jr. Jr., Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow
Directed by: John Favreau
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 126 Minutes.
Iron Man dominated in theaters this year, and it’s great to see that the attention surrounding it was not misplaced. Even if you take away the comic book aspect of the film, the story could stand by itself. Iron Man is on par with other Comic Books turned into movies such as the original X-Men. You won’t need to be a fan or have read the graphic novels to enjoy the characters and be pulled into the action.
The story for Iron Man is actually pretty believable. Not the part about building a super advanced exoskeleton suite that can fly, but the realization that the weapons business Tony Stark took over from his father, is responsible helping terrorism. This is not far from the truth when you compare it to today’s weapons manufacturers. Think about the many times you hear stories of missiles, guns and tanks being sold to one nation and ending up in the hands of a rouge group. Like any person with a moral compass, and more money then most third world countries, Tony uses his skills to develop a mechanized suite for the good of humanity.
Robert Downey Jr. hits the character of Tony Stark dead on. Stark is a privileged millionaire playboy, who enjoys a kind of rock star status in the military and press. Downey is completely believable, not to the point that he transforms himself into his character, more like he was the perfect casting choice for the part. Jeff Bridges brings Obadiah Stane to life with the same level charisma as Downey. It’s a little odd seeing Jeff Bridges as a villain with a bald head. He does a great job playing a man who begins as a mentor to Stark, and transitions into his nemesis. Hopefully this will not be the last we see of an evil Jeff Bridges.
Overall Iron Man is better then many other films born from Comic Books. The story telling is done with enough care to give the characters depth, and background, while always moving forward. The addition of Gwyneth Paltrow as Pipper Potts, Tony Stark’s personal assistant, is spot on. The film teases at a romantic relationship between the two, without diving headlong into a love story. This is one aspect that really brings a needed human dynamic to the character of Tony Stark, who seems detached from the people around him during most scenes. No doubt that the next installment in the Iron Man saga will include a developing romantic sub-story between the two.
Wrapping up, Iron Man is a must see for fans of Comic Books movies, it delivers in so many ways other movies of the same genre have failed. Iron Man is equally compelling for anyone looking to see a solid action movie, without straying from its roots.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr. Jr., Jeff Bridges and Gwyneth Paltrow
Directed by: John Favreau
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 126 Minutes.
Iron Man dominated in theaters this year, and it’s great to see that the attention surrounding it was not misplaced. Even if you take away the comic book aspect of the film, the story could stand by itself. Iron Man is on par with other Comic Books turned into movies such as the original X-Men. You won’t need to be a fan or have read the graphic novels to enjoy the characters and be pulled into the action.
The story for Iron Man is actually pretty believable. Not the part about building a super advanced exoskeleton suite that can fly, but the realization that the weapons business Tony Stark took over from his father, is responsible helping terrorism. This is not far from the truth when you compare it to today’s weapons manufacturers. Think about the many times you hear stories of missiles, guns and tanks being sold to one nation and ending up in the hands of a rouge group. Like any person with a moral compass, and more money then most third world countries, Tony uses his skills to develop a mechanized suite for the good of humanity.
Robert Downey Jr. hits the character of Tony Stark dead on. Stark is a privileged millionaire playboy, who enjoys a kind of rock star status in the military and press. Downey is completely believable, not to the point that he transforms himself into his character, more like he was the perfect casting choice for the part. Jeff Bridges brings Obadiah Stane to life with the same level charisma as Downey. It’s a little odd seeing Jeff Bridges as a villain with a bald head. He does a great job playing a man who begins as a mentor to Stark, and transitions into his nemesis. Hopefully this will not be the last we see of an evil Jeff Bridges.
Overall Iron Man is better then many other films born from Comic Books. The story telling is done with enough care to give the characters depth, and background, while always moving forward. The addition of Gwyneth Paltrow as Pipper Potts, Tony Stark’s personal assistant, is spot on. The film teases at a romantic relationship between the two, without diving headlong into a love story. This is one aspect that really brings a needed human dynamic to the character of Tony Stark, who seems detached from the people around him during most scenes. No doubt that the next installment in the Iron Man saga will include a developing romantic sub-story between the two.
Wrapping up, Iron Man is a must see for fans of Comic Books movies, it delivers in so many ways other movies of the same genre have failed. Iron Man is equally compelling for anyone looking to see a solid action movie, without straying from its roots.
