My next problem was getting psyched for a character that I never cared all that much for. For me, Iron Man was always a cool looking costume, but I never read many of his comics (maybe four or five Iron Man issues and another dozen or so Avengers comics featuring Stark). Then the trailers started popping up, and I was forced to admit that it looked pretty good. Then the favourable buzz started filtering out of Comic-Con and suddenly, after a few years of indifference and bitter disappointment, I found myself looking forward to the theatrical debut of Iron Man almost as much as I was the theatrical reboot of the Joker.
I'm thrilled to report that Iron Man meets all the anticipation and hype, kicking off the blockbuster season of 2008 with a bang. It's big and brassy in the best traditions of the action blockbuster, without having to insult the intelligence of its audience to pull off the big thrills and effects of the genre. It captures the spirit and energy of the genre of my youth while adding enough maturity through its cast (the youngest principle cast member is Paltrow at 36) to engage an adult audience. Favreau expertly weaves physical effects with CGI, giving the action scenes a sense of realism one wouldn't expect from a movie about a guy in a high-tech suit of armour, while infusing the film with a smart sense of humour that keeps the origin-heavy story engaging.
The biggest reason for the film's success is Downey Jr, who makes the Howard Hughes-esque Tony Stark more interesting than his armour-clad alter-ego. Which is essential, since the movie spends more time with Stark out of his armour than it does with him in it. Usually, the extended origin story portion of superhero movies threaten to drag down the action, but Downey Jr's smug portrayal of the billionaire industrialist keeps it lively, while the weight and humanity he injects into the role builds the necessary pathos before the pyrotechnics begin.
In fact, the one few flaws of the film is how the big action set pieces feel a bit rushed and less impactful than the earlier character development moments. Normally, this would be a dealbreaker for such a film, but Iron Man is able to invest the audience in its hero so thoroughly that its climax still satisfies while leaving room for improvement.
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