The Man Behind the Iron Mask

After so many superhero movies ever produced, i only managed to pick four of them that i really think could translate the actual comic to a big screen medium. They are Superman: The Movie back in '78, X2: X-men United in 2003, Spiderman 2 in 2004, and Batman Begins in 2005. Superman basically creates a blue print of how to make a superhero movie, while x2 proved that a superhero team movie with so many characters still could end up to be great. As for Spiderman 2, and Batman Begins, they are two completely great superhero movie, with the opposite way of story telling. Spiderman was more colorful, and action packed, while Batman was darker, and more realistic. However, the four of them has something in common: They had heart, and great characterization. So, this would bring us to the main topic, will Iron Man stand up to those movies i mentioned above. The answer is YES. Very much YES.

Iron Man is the perfect example of a superhero movie which respect its original material, and turned it into something way much cooler. Anyone who doubt Jon Favreau capability to direct this movie can just get their ass kicked (yes, i got my ass kicked). He made all the right decisions in making the movie. He cast the dead perfect Robert Downey jr as Tony Stark. Stark is one of the biggest brain in the planet, an alcoholic, and a womanizer at the same time. Downey have had some of those problems in the real life before. That's what made him perfect for the role. He also made Tony Stark character funnier, with his perfect timing of comedic punch lines. The rest of the supporting cast like Terence Howard, as Stark's best friend Jim Rhodes, Gwyneth Paltrow as the reliable assistant, Pepper Potts, and Jeff Bridges as the main villain Obadiah Stane was all superb in their respective roles.

In terms of special effects, and costume design, Iron Man will satisfy you. No, let me rephrase that, it will blow you away. The combination between Adi Granov suit, Stan Winston design, and all of the effects from ILM resulted in a stunning visual representation for the eyes. But, above all, the strength of this movie lies in the character Tony Stark itself. Started as a super rich, naive, douche bag, he began to find his real cause of life after being held hostage in Afghanistan. His relationship with fellow prisoner, Yinsen, who was played by Shaun Toub, is the defining moment to the birth of Iron Man.Their relationship was genuinely established to evolve Tony Stark's personality. After that, it's all lock and loaded full throttle action from the Iron Man himself.

The only thing that i found disappointing is the score. Throughout the movie we didn't get that heroic score to accompany our hero's adventure. Hans Zimmer's score is weak, and couldn't drive viewer's emotion in any way. I guess Favreau should have gone to Danny Elfman, or even John Williams to make this movie more epic. That said, this movie is still superbly crafted.

Iron Man will satisfy those people who demanded pure summer blockbuster movie, and also the-hard-to-be-pleased fanboys. Fanboys will get excited by the inclusion of S.H.I.E.L.D in the movie, and of course, the appearance of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D after the end credits. I think i soiled myself when he delivered the last line of the movie, "I'm here to talk about the Avengers initiative". Even more geek goodness in the next two years!!

until next time,
be kind, rewind.