Big Guns

Rating: 8/10 (31 August 2010)

Iron Man above all else is unlike most superhero origin story lines. Partly because everyone involved is adult and we are not dealing with teenage angst. But mainly because it didn't follow the paint by numbers storytelling we have been brought up with. Yes, the main character Tony Stark is an established, smarmy philanderer rich man. He makes weapons and gets paid handsomely for it. Jeez, this guy has more toys than Bruce Wayne. Well, that's a stretch, but he definitely has more fun.
But Tony didn't witness any particular family member die. He doesn't owe a debt to a mother or uncle. He's just a guy who finally saw the wheel he created come round. And he couldn't accept it.
But added to this fact, Tony isn't dealing with the complexities of teenage love. His feelings are made quite clear. And there is no need for him to let the woman he loves go in fear her life would be in greater jeopardy. Tony doesn't think like this. In this film, the origin isn't really the focus here, as the characters and the interactions. These guys love to talk and they speak with such colorful fun. Sure, there's serious business in weapons manufacturing. But when dealing in a deadly business why not at least have fun doing it.
Unlike most superhero films, this one is a character film first and an action film second. Of course that is where Jon Faverau slowly stumbles. What he gets right is that he allows the action to have a good sense of "freedom". He doesn't jam the camera in between the fights. He stays back enough so we have breathing space to enjoy the flights of Iron man. What fails is that the fights aren't that exhilarating. They are a vehicle from A to B. Faverau doesn't play enough with camera angles or the choreography. It's tic- tac- toe.
Robert Downey Jr has formed himself into perhaps the best adaptation of a superhero to date. To be fair, he's kinda got it easy. Tony Stark is simply so much fun. Chris Reeve had to play the noble, earnest ridden god. Christian Bale has to play the cunning and deeply scarred playboy. So including Downey in the list of these guys is worthy accolades.
Still this was the most fun I've had at a Marvel film since Spider-man 2. And again, these two are comparable because those that write and direct it love these characters and want to make an honest comic book movie. I think of scenes from Spider-man 2 that resonate deep in me. The speech that Aunt May give Peter about the importance of a hero. The New York subway riders protecting their heroes identity. It's corny to the Nth degree. But it works. It works because it shows us that the people writing these projects actually believe the importance of a hero like Spider-man and they are telling you.
Iron Man doesn't lack that kinda devotion. These people have something to say about the world and their place in it. Which brings me to the latest Incredible Hulk and Dark Knight trailer. Both premiered ahead of Iron Man. However one completed it's objective and the other one left a larger question mark.
Dark Knight continues to show that these characters speak in a way that we normally wouldn't. They make grandiose statements. These guys have a lot of bravado to share. It's a battle in who has the better line. But what's interesting about Incredible Hulk is how pedestrian people speak. I'd settle for a "...don't make me angry" line. But what we get is banality, just without the Eric. This does not make the Hulk an uninteresting venture. But for me, I look for films of this calibure who are willing to express it's intentions. Stand up on its soapbox and say, "I am a comic book film."
Iron Man has set itself above most comic book films and probably stands to be judged along the greats. I look forward to the future of this franchise. Given the choices that we will have in a couple years time, it's a welcome respite.