My love affair with the comic book medium began in my toddler years, and has only strengthened as the years progressed. Therefore, I naturally viewed the recent growth of comic-related film as an excellent step for the medium, and in many ways a logical one. In fact, I have always argued that every comic book film should be at least as good as the comic on which it was based; the illustrated panels in a comic are practically an entire storyboard in book format. After all, aren't comics and film essentially achieving the same goal — presenting a story through the use of images?
Sadly, there have been a number of comic book films that have fallen short of their source material: Elektra; Catwoman; Tank Girl; Ghost Rider. The list goes on and on. However, I am glad to announce that one film that will not join the ranks of these celluloid failures is the newest entry into the comic book movie genre, Iron Man. The Jon Favreau-directed film is the first effort from Marvel Studios, a brand new film company that was created by the comic publisher that created and still continues to publish the Iron Man title. While fanboys and film geeks alike have looked to this new business venture with staggering expectations, it seems likely that this first release will win over even the most steadfast skeptics.
For those unfamiliar with the story of Iron Man, it is the story of billionaire genius Tony Stark, a charismatic yet consistently irresponsible man who has built a controversial reputation as a weapons developer and manufacturer. While presenting one of his newest weapons in the deserts of Afghanistan, he is ambushed and captured by a terrorist cell known as the 10 Rings (fans of the comic will recognize this as a modern variation on one of Iron Man's most infamous villians, The Mandarin). Forced to construct the same weaponry for the benefit of the terrorist organization, Stark instead creates a technologically advanced suit of armor that allows him to escape his captors. Realizing his business and lifestyle has caused great harm to his country and those closest in his life, Stark begins a mission to correct his past mistakes in the guise of the robotic superhero Iron Man.
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