One of the Best Superhero Movies Ever!

Rating: 10/10 (4 May 2008)

Iron Man is an example of when expectations slowly started to sneak up on me, until my excitement towards the film had reached an incredible point. Let me tell you right from the off. Even with my high expectations, I was blown away by this movie. Excuse the pun, but Iron Man is a marvel of a blockbuster.
There are so many accolades that I want to give this movie. It is one of the best kick-offs to the summer movie season ever. It is one of the best, if not the best comic book movies since Spider-Man 2. It is one of the best comic book movies ever made. And finally, it packs one of the best casts for a comic book movie ever.
I'll start with Robert Downey Jr., who gives an absolutely phenomenal performance in the lead role of weapons manufacturer Tony Stark AKA Iron Man. Downey Jr. not only develops a deliciously likable, intelligent and hilarious individual with aplomb, but he also does a tremendous job at delving into the character and revealing his guilt over how he has destroyed many people's lives, and his determination to right the wrongs that he has committed. In Downey's hands, this is a shockingly electric portrayal, one of the most compelling and human performances ever in the role of a superhero and easily one of the best, if not the best performances of the year so far.
The incredible supporting cast also deliver fantastic performances. As Obadiah Stane, Stark's business partner, Jeff Bridges manages to do the near-impossible; he manages to counter Downey's exceptional performance with one which is almost just as impressive. Taking the character by the horns, Bridges crafts a truly menacing and imposing individual. The power of Bridge's portrayal is all the more notable because he refuses to chew the scenery, which makes Stane all the more deadly. He is truly a terrific adversary. As "Rhodey", Stark's military liaison and friend, Terrence Howard brings charm and charisma to his role, and also makes his character one to watch in future instalments with one killer line. And finally, Gwyneth Paltrow oozes sexiness, intelligence and sophisticated emotions as Stark's assistant and possible love interest, Pepper Potts. In a role which has given otherwise perfect superhero films such as Batman Begins a thorn in their side, Paltrow and the filmmakers have crafted a truly lovable, authentic and memorable love interest for their superhero. Impressive performances are also given by Shaun Toub as a prisoner of terrorists in Afghanistan and Faran Tahir as the terrorist leader.
The direction and screenplay are also two other reasons why this movie is so compellingly brilliant. There is no doubt that Jon Favreau is a talented director (see Elf and Zathura for evidence), but I wasn't exactly surprised when many people reacted nervously when it was announced that he was to direct Iron Man. Fortunately, he acquits himself excellently. Favreau delivers a blockbuster that strives to be more than just your normal action feast, and that always hits the mark. Favreau's direction is heartfelt, engaging, fun and smart. He ensures that those who have never heard of Iron Man are sucked into the film's brilliant story right from the beginning, and directs the cheer-inducing action sequences with tremendous energy and panache. But where he really succeeds is in the quieter, more character-based moments, which transform the characters into living, breathing individuals.
He is aided by a thoroughly superb script, which mixes intelligence, rip-roaring humour and crackling dialogue into one glorious whole. None of the characters feel like cardboard cut-outs. They are complex and interesting, but their sophistication never affects the action which many people want to see.
Visually, Iron Man is flawless. None of the visual effects feel over-the-top or forced, and their perfect implementation into their environment makes them all the more realistic. Also, Iron Man uses its visuals much more subtly than other blockbusters, such as in the hysterically funny moment where Stark first tests his flying boots. This is a movie where the visuals are being beautifully used in order to make the movie's story have a stronger and more profound impact. They are also a terrific tool when it comes to crafting the movie's fantastic action sequences. From Stark's explosive escape from terrorists to the final climactic clash between Iron Man and Stane's alter ego Iron Monger, the action is fast, gripping, expertly crafted and utterly sensational, much like the film as a whole.
There is also a unbeatable display of gadgetry on display here. The final Iron Man suit is absolutely flawless in its creation and layout, and is truly iconic, whereas Stark's robotic assistants (robotic arms and a computerised butler) provide some terrific moments of humour when Downey Jr. is around to be brilliantly sarcastic and energetic. Also, the soundtrack is excellent, with several great songs flawlessly mixed in with Ramin Djawadi's pitch-perfect score.
All of Iron Man's terrific assets combine to make the best movie of the year thus far, one which is quite close to flawless in terms of entertainment. With a stunner of a leading performance, a top-notch supporting cast, terrific direction, an intelligent and hilarious screenplay and stunning visuals and action sequences, Iron Man is a powerful knock-out punch of a movie. If you haven't been to see any movies at the cinema so far this year, I implore you to go and be astounded by this. Also, be sure to stay all the way through until the end of the credits, for one mouth-watering final scene. Comic book spectacle doesn't come any better than this. The ball is in your court, Mr. Hulk. I look forward to seeing how you are going to top this.