Michael Lown
BartoIron Man: rust resistant
May 6th 2008 04:50
Robert Downey Jr is a golden god. The problem with the heroes in so many comic book adaptations is that their everyday personas (Clark Kent, Peter Parker) are so insipid it neuters their alter ego. It seems that aside from doing a gritty re-imagining of Batman, the only certain solution to that problem is to cast Downey. Hence golden god status.
Iron Man sounds cool and relevant (playboy weapons dealer develops super suit to fight the evil he has unwittingly created), but it could have gone the other way (Jumper style selfish git, puts on expressionless super suit to protect equally expressionless face). The key to what makes Iron Man work is the casting, and the general attitude of director Jon Favreau. That attitude is smart-arsed conviction, as previously seen in the script he wrote for Swingers.
Downey Jr plays Tony Stark, millionaire weapons genius, and general purveyor of death. His nifty life is upended when he is kidnapped by terrorists to build them a missile. Instead he throws together the first draft of his metal armour and escapes, eyes opened to the horrors his inventions have caused.
The arc of redemption Tony goes on is recognisable, but wonderfully executed. The sequence in which he slowly perfects the suit could have been either too brief or too mundane, but instead is thrilling and humorous. If anything the climax feels a little too sudden, and the set-up for a sequel is unashamed (something I always find removes from general satisfaction, like watching the end of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and then wanting to eat your own hat – at which point you have to wonder why you are wearing a hat in a cinema).
The universe is very well rounded. Gwyneth Paltrow is nicely understated and never falls to shrieking damsel status, Terrence Howard is a neat addition, and Jeff Bridges is pleasantly malignant in a Lex Luther sort of way. I am reliably informed the film also sets up several other Marvel franchises just waiting to be turned in to action figures.
Of course the key to all this is the use of the once un-cast-able, but suddenly oh so fashionable Downey Jr. His notorious lifestyle helps him add weight to the role, and his unpredictability as a performer seems to have been harnessed. You may know the basic plotting, but you never quite know how Stark will react to specific circumstances. This all helps in the minor circumstances when he has to deliver his one or two brief moments of moralising. A pleasant change, and a fun ride.
Iron Man sounds cool and relevant (playboy weapons dealer develops super suit to fight the evil he has unwittingly created), but it could have gone the other way (Jumper style selfish git, puts on expressionless super suit to protect equally expressionless face). The key to what makes Iron Man work is the casting, and the general attitude of director Jon Favreau. That attitude is smart-arsed conviction, as previously seen in the script he wrote for Swingers.
Downey Jr plays Tony Stark, millionaire weapons genius, and general purveyor of death. His nifty life is upended when he is kidnapped by terrorists to build them a missile. Instead he throws together the first draft of his metal armour and escapes, eyes opened to the horrors his inventions have caused.
The arc of redemption Tony goes on is recognisable, but wonderfully executed. The sequence in which he slowly perfects the suit could have been either too brief or too mundane, but instead is thrilling and humorous. If anything the climax feels a little too sudden, and the set-up for a sequel is unashamed (something I always find removes from general satisfaction, like watching the end of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and then wanting to eat your own hat – at which point you have to wonder why you are wearing a hat in a cinema).
The universe is very well rounded. Gwyneth Paltrow is nicely understated and never falls to shrieking damsel status, Terrence Howard is a neat addition, and Jeff Bridges is pleasantly malignant in a Lex Luther sort of way. I am reliably informed the film also sets up several other Marvel franchises just waiting to be turned in to action figures.
Of course the key to all this is the use of the once un-cast-able, but suddenly oh so fashionable Downey Jr. His notorious lifestyle helps him add weight to the role, and his unpredictability as a performer seems to have been harnessed. You may know the basic plotting, but you never quite know how Stark will react to specific circumstances. This all helps in the minor circumstances when he has to deliver his one or two brief moments of moralising. A pleasant change, and a fun ride.
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