He's Iron Man

Rating: 8/10 (14 May 2008)

Iron man is an interesting film in the fact that it deals more with the character and less with the action. DOn't get me wrong, the movie has action, but with Robert Downey Jr. in the title role of TOny Stark/Iron Man, he steals the show and makes Iron Man a pleasant surprise for fans of the character and the comic book. I enjoyed this movie.
THe movie starts with Stark (Downey Jr.) talking with American troops in a Hummer in the Middle East. THese first scenes set the character perfectly and lead to the goods that follow. He is at once humorous and likable, and this continues throughout the film's running length. THey are of course attacked. All the troops are killed and Stark, who is a weapon's expert, is taken prisoner by a terrorist group who has used his own weapons against him and America. THe group forces him to build a weapon they can use against their enemies, but he instead creates a suit of armor which he then uses to attack his captures and escape.
Once back in America, Stark realizes that the weapons he thought he was developing to help America are being sold to America's enemies. He decides that he must create a suit of armor, like the one he created in the Middle East, to help America and stop the enemy from harming more people. THat is how Iron Man is created, and it goes through two more upgrades before he finally gets the armor to where he wants it.
THis movie hits on a lot of issues that are effecting the world today. One of them, and probably the biggest one in the movie, is the corruption that factors into everything. A strong jab is made at the US weapon's industry, and it had a profound effect on me. THe movie makes some strong points about why America is probably struggling, and it all factors into the corruption of the corporate elite and how they will sell their souls to make a buck. It sickening but oh so true.
THe director, Jon Favereau, never preaches this, but just lets the viewer know, with subtle hints, that not everything is the rest of the world's fault. It's good, great even, but it's too bad he can't do action as well, which brings me to my next point.
The action in Iron Man is there, but it is never in your face like many other blockbuster action films. It is more of a drama than anything. If Downey Jr. didn't pull off the part so well, as well as the rest of the supporting cast which includes Terence Howard as Jim Rhodes, Gwneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts, and Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane, this movie might not have made the money it has so far. THey hold the movie together and keep you focused on the characters, and you never really notice how very little action there is. Of course this is an origin story, so maybe the director will do better with the sequel, that is if he comes back to do the sequel.
I liked the movie, I liked the performances by all, but Iron Man could've used a little bit more of a kick-ass sense that would of made it an instant classic. Still, it's hard to argue with what we get with Iron Man. It is definitely one of the best Super Hero movies since Spider Man 2, and Batman Begins. And on a final note, make sure you stay until the end credits to see something special and very interesting.