REVIEW: Iron Man [2008]

Rating: PG-13 | Runtime: 126 minutes
Release Date: May 2nd, 2008 (USA)
Studio: Marvel Studios / Paramount Pictures
Director(s): Jon Favreau
Writer(s): Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway / Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby (comics/characters)

Don’t waste it.

There was a big question mark looming over the theatrical adaptation of Marvel’s Iron Man property: Jon Favreau. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love the Favs. But when I heard he was helming a big budget comic book flick? Let’s just say I was a little worried. Once his cast was set and the fanboys started humming across the internet I started to ease into the decision with anticipation, though. Thankfully, after finally seeing the finished product, I wasn’t disappointed.

With a great mix of the professionalism and stakes seen in both Spider-Man and X-Men as well as the comic wit and sheer fun of Fantastic Four, Iron Man shows how a comic can be brought to the screen successfully without the added weighty drama. We finally have a film with the essence of what makes these picture books so popular: the action and mythology with a sense of adventure and humor. Favreau never bogs us down with overwrought emotions nor speaks down to us with gags and poorly written jokes. He instead delivers on his promises to give us a solid entry into what could be a great trilogy or more.

Favreau gets achieves his origin story without boring us with drawn out backstory. His ability to provide dual information is orchestrated nicely with Tony Stark in his basement working with a TV explaining what’s happening in the Middle East and within his own company. We are able to put the pieces together amidst Stark’s witty banter and some wonderful special effects. It’s crazy how much information you will realize you now know by the end of the film as it all culminates in a decent final battle while hinting at the inevitable sequel.

We’re allowed entrance into the character’s evolution as he goes from war profiteer to man of action all while witnessing how the technology improves and advances before our eyes. Much like Batman, we have a hero here that needs help in fighting crime. He has no superhuman abilities besides his brain and being able to see his thoughts go from paper to reality is a feat of magic. Every stage is shown. Every failure and success. It’s quite the ride in and of itself, but it only gets better when you add the threat of global war and destruction.

The real success is in the bold move of casting an over-40 actor to be a superhero. That takes guts because most studios would have said, “No, change the story and make him younger so we can churn out as many of these babies as we can.” Favreau talked Marvel into hiring Robert Downey Jr. to play Stark, a sarcastic lothario with the brain capacity of Einstein. I truly can’t think of anyone better suited to the role and he proves it by nailing every scene. I’m sure there was some ad-libbing, but, even if not, his comic delivery and ability to switch on a dime to sincerity reveals his masterful craft.

The rest of the cast is good too. Jeff Bridges appropriately plays the bombastic creature of villainy over-the-top. Terrence Howard is nice as friend and military liaison with little to do but potential for the future. And Gwyneth Paltrow is good as Stark’s sweet assistant Pepper Potts who at times seems a little underwritten yet comes through with some nice humorous moments. I also really liked Shaun Toub as Stark’s savior Yinsen and Clark Gregg as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. Good to see Favreau giving another actor turned director props (Gregg’s directorial debut comes out later this year in the form of Chuck Palahniuk’s Choke).

I do wish he would have shied away from putting himself in the film, though. It’s one thing to be seen in a split-second cameo like Stan Lee, but its another to give yourself a thankless role with multiple scenes that only adds fuel to the fire of people’s opinions that he’s a bit self-absorbed—thoughts stemming from a drinking game created off “Dinner for Five” and his many references to Swingers every episode. I’ll forgive it, though, because I am a big fan.

One can’t forget that this is an action film above all else, though, so we can’t just praise the actors. Those scenes of Iron Man flying amongst fighter jets in the trailer seemed really lame, but they deliver in context. The suit itself is amazing regardless of its “mach” stage. And the highlight is with the computer system Stark utilizes with multiple screens, instant holographic reproductions, and an ability to interact with those 3D representations.

Iron Man isn’t a perfect film, but it is a fun actioner that should light up the box office. The final showdown is a bit of a whimper in comparison to the backstory and machine creation, a crucial element is saved from destruction in the one contrived bit of screenwriting (not quite utilized how I thought, but still for the same means), and some moments seem campier than witty, but this is top-notch popcorn cinema deserving of the big screen.