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Many people thought the comic book movie renaissance reached its creative peak with 2005′s Batman Begins, a property of comic giant DC. Though rival Marvel had started the upswing with Spider-man three years earlier, it was thought that DC had claimed dominance when Marvel answered Batman with the underwhelming trilogy-cappers Spider-man 3 and X-Men 3: The Last Stand. Add to the evidence that DC is set to release The Dark Knight this summer to a drooling, anticipatory public. But it seems that Marvel had one more trick up its sleeve, and that trick is Jon Favreau, director of the meritorious Iron Man and key to the studio’s bid to remain relevant.
For the uninitiated (as I was before the movie started), Iron Man is the superhero alter ego of playboy billionaire weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). A gadget connoisseur, Stark is happy with his one-night stands and the ever-increasing dollar signs in his ledger until he’s captured by terrorists after demonstrating his newest missile technology. To escape, he covertly builds a suit out of metal with more firepower than your standard battalion. When he gets home, he perfects the suit’s design and decides to fight against the insurgents who are buying his weapons and, by extension, the people in his company who are allowing it to happen.
Without even knowing the character of Iron Man, I was thrilled to hear the choice of Downey to play him. The Kiss Kiss Bang Bang actor has the right mix of smarm and confidence to pull off any role, and the sarcastic, cocksure Stark is a perfect role for him. Favreau was right to lobby for him. And that’s one of an avalanche of good choices made by the director, who keeps the movie moving with a droll script and avoids overstuffing it with unnecessary side-plots. Even Stark’s subtle romance with his assistant, the stunning Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) is incorporated well enough to not gum up the works.
In any other summer, Iron Man would be the runaway favorite for best movie, but this is the summer of The Dark Knight. No matter how the two measure up against each other, though, Iron Man will remain notable for putting Marvel’s towel back in the ring for the foreseeable future, especially if you’re smart enough to stay past the credits and see what Favreau has planned.
Rating: * * * * * of 5
Iron Man was a practically flawless hero flick; its makers drop some pretty obvious sequel hints too… i’m thinking the next one should be equally great
I did not stay after the credits. What did I miss?
And on a side note, I agree, excellent movie.
Scorz..
“Hello Mr. Stark My name is Nick Fury Director of SHIELD. I want to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative”
Now imange that said by the one the only Sam Jackson
Hahahaha!!!!! Brilliant!