Not all superhero films are just for geeks

Rating: 9/10 (8 April 2010)

Lets face it. Spider Man 3 was a horrible mess. It was supposes to break summer box office records, but instead it broke audience's expectations of what was considered the last flawless superhero film franchise (excluding Nolan's Batman). Spidy's lackluster sales could have been a sign that superhero films had become super-over-hyped, perhaps reaching its plateau. But not according to Marvel Studios, the comic book company that's now a comic film production company. Marvel's first venture as a film studio; Iron Man, you know the guy in the metal suit? Well, maybe you don't. Unlike Marvel's big household names (Spider Man, X-Men, Hulk, Fantastic Four), Iron Man is considered a minor character in the Marvel universe, yet a major risk for Marvel to unveil as their opening act for the summer movie season, especially when last years fail-safe Spider Man 3 was such a train-wreck. Still, Marvel decisively put their trust in the hands of up and coming director Jon Favreau, and unlike Marvel's other minor characters (Daredevil, Punisher, Ghost Rider) they gave Iron Man a big budget with a Grade A cast and unlimited unrestraint. Fortunately Marvel's gamble paid off, because Iron Man may be the best comic book film since, well the first Spider Man.
2007's comic-con offered the first glimpses of Iron Man through an exclusive trailer with an introduction by Favreau to appease the comic character's loyal fanbase. When the trailer leaked on the Internet however, the clip's merger of Iron Man footage with Black Sabbath's ubiquitous song "Iron Man" was for lack of a better word, tacky. Thankfully the trailer is the only tacky thing about Iron Man, as the film is the complete opposite, proving in spades Favreau's strength as a dramatic action film director. The story of Iron Man is the story of Tony Stark; the son of a rich industrialist tycoon who grew up not only with a silver spoon but a wit and intellect that made him a child prodigy. Zipping through school Tony became an expert in engineering and electronics; finishing MIT summa-cum-laude and helping create new technological advances, as well as becoming the natural heir to his fathers company, Stark Industries.
Now of course, Tony's knack for technology will later help him in the area of armored robotic suits, but the real appeal of Tony Stark in the film is his richly sophisticated persona. Comic book Tony Stark is a stern and straightforward character, who, much like Bruce Wayne, leans towards the extravagant but is more business than pleasure. However, Stark, as played with exuberance by Robert Downy Jr., fully embraces the capitalistic side of the industrialist CEO and infuses Stark with his patented Downy Jr. charm and swagger that ultimately fits the decadent mogul to a tee. This is where Downy Jr. and Favreau shine in developing Stark; as Downy Jr. is practically the embodiment of this character in real life, while Favreau has perfected (a la Vince Vaughn in Swingers) the carefree capitalist who enjoys and revels in his capital.
Although the audience revels in Stark's playboy lifestyle as well, we almost forget there is consequence behind his blithe. Stark Enterprises just so happens to be the U.S. Governments leading weapon's manufacturer and Stark's lavish empire is built on the creation of weapons of mass destruction. As Stark says "I be out of a job if there was peace"; a statement that normally would make him a corporate villain in today's world of corrupt politics and zero militant accountability, but Stark however is a CEO with a heart, (if that exists). A heart that eventually gets filled with shrapnel after nearly being blown up when he is captured by Afghani terrorists who order him to replicate a new and deadly Stark Industries missile. Confined in a cave, Stark does what any billionaire industrials would do: builds himself an armored suit and literally smashes his way out, thus, Iron Man is born. Upon recovery and return to the US, with the help of his friend, army pilot Jim Rhodes (Terrance Howard), and his beautiful and sharp personal assistant Pepper Pots (Gwent Paltrow), Stark decides to stop creating weapons for the government; a move that is defied and opposed by his corporate partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges). Stark instead invests his time in making a new and advanced armor suit that he hopes will be better than any missile system.
Besides the skin deep morality of over excess and not taking one's life for granted, there's much more depth in Tony Stark's plight in becoming Iron Man. Even though Stark is the embodiment of capitalism we root him not for his riches but for his sincerity. The audience cheered when Iron Man returns to the Middle East and simply becomes a one man army, literally hurling the terrorists around. In year five of the Iraq War more so than ever, America is looking for peace and solace to the problems overseas, and when watching Iron Man solve these problems in one fall swoop, it was a cathartic release of elation. In doing so, Iron Man is a superhero akin to Superman, because he lives for that old altruistic American dream that's seems so easily forgotten in today's cynical and materialistic world. Not only is this theme executed with perfection, but is also executed perfectly through the films roller-coaster superhero action tension with well balanced comic relief. All the actors are superbly cast in their roles and the chemistry between Paltrow and Downy Jr. is irresistible. Where a year ago Spider Man 3, had become too entangled in its own web, Iron Man surely has cleared those cobwebs, reminding us why superhero films are so much fun, and proving with the right intention and direction they are truly worth the hype.