After the very hyped up and positive movie reviews from friends and colleagues, Pekekek and I took time to watch Iron Man last night. Unlike the other Marvel or DC superheroes, I have limited and very unimpressive knowledge about this hero machine. Probably I can say I know the basics. Yes, I know what Iron Man looks like. I know that he can fly and he has built in special artillery, and of course his suit is made up of special iron. But other than those basic knowledge you can acquire at face value, I don’t know who is behind Iron Man, how he came about and what “kind” of man manages behind the iron suit.
So I went inside to watch the movie with a clean slate, which is sometimes better. I expected that it’s not going to be a total waste of PHP 170 pesos, and hopefully I get to understand how Iron Man came about.
Well the story focuses on Tony Stark, a very smart, innovative and cocky brain of Stark Industries, an industry that invents world class and highly complicated weapons in varying range. Aside from he co-manages his company, he is a natural mechanical-geek boy. So he’s basically the real deal. But he is not your typical introvert-geek. He is quite the opposite. He doesn’t really care about formalities and lives like a rockstar, which accounts for his cockiness and street smarts.
The story took its flight when he was invited to Afghanistan to test his latest, deadly missile invention called THE JERICHO, which is really by far amazing. After his exhibit to the military dignitaries of different countries, he began to travel back with the US troops, when their humvees were ambushed by Afghan forces using his own Stark weaponry. Eventhough with a bullet proof vest, he still found out he was injured and began to black out.
The next scene he found himself in was that he was being taken hostage by Afghan troops and found himself waking up in a decrepit cave room, with a scary realization that some sort of machine is attached to his heart, wired to a battery, to keep shrapnels from entering his heart. He later on found the cause of ambushing him. He is forced to make a replica of the Jericho for the Afghan troops, in exchange for his freedom. But smart and cocky as he is, he verbally agreed with the Afghan’s terms to stay alive, but in truth he isn’t making any Jericho. Together with another captive, Dr. Yinsen, they worked together day and night to make the first IRON MAN prototype as their ticket out of their captivity. This is where you would laugh at how stupid the troops are. They are actually locking up a brilliant mind with free reigns to do a very complex project without thinking of the possibility that he could single-handedly do a massive weapon of destruction against them. They could’ve made other engineers supervise Tony Stark, but no. They locked him up in a room full of equipment. Bad move. It allowed Tony Stark to make Iron Man Version one and kept making excuses until the perfect time came to use it.
The first prototype, given the circumstances, was already amazing. Tony Stark and Yinsen were able to make a sufficient initial version of IRON MAN. Just imagine a robot-missile type. Tony Stark was able to face attacks and escape, but Dr. Yinsen died in the process. Then, after being rescued by the US troops, headed by his friend Col. Rhodes, he went back to America and began his “new project,” which is to make a perfected version of Iron Man in secret. But in public, he deliberately announced that he is not going to be a part of any weapon making industry after having a deep realization about life. The once cocky inventor and weapon genius, who believed that weapons were needed to instill peace, now wants to be accountable of that false principle by shying away from making weapons entirely.
He isolated himself in his lab at home, making a new version of a ARC Reactor (Heart machine), and perfecting the IRON Man suit. He did it all by himself with his state of the art equipment, machines and also with the help of his robotic friends. Until the time came when certain realizations were brought to him that somewhere in Afghanistan there’s a village rampage going on aided by his own weapons. Irritated and focusing on his new humanitarian goal, immediately after he had perfected the IRON MAN SUIT, complete with paint, modifications and communication device, he flew to Afghan and did his first heroic stunt. With the help of Pepper Potts, his secretary, and Col. Rhodes, a military head, he was able to accomplish his mission and overcome Obadiah Stane, his first major enemy. Hence he officially becomes the superhero known as Iron Man.
The movie lasted two hours, and I must say it was worth it. Although I was very skeptical on Robert Downey Jr. playing Iron Man. I like him. He is an effective and genuine actor, but he is hardly a Superhero type. But after reconciling Tony Stark’s character, who is NOT made to be a superhero to begin with, I believe Robert Downey Jr. pulled it off. I’m not even being biased. Tony Stark’s character to begin with is just a normal filthy rich, asshole, rockstar-type who has a knack of carrying off witty conversations and making brilliant weapons as if its candy. Robert Downey with his innate wittiness and “funny-asshole” like qualities, is perfect for Tony Spark. Robert Downey is also so good in demonstrating the character’s transition in both worlds, from Rockstar lifestyle to a very grounded and heroic nature, without the BS. He is also effective, without the theatrical acting, on conveying his pain, hurt, his frustration and his atonement for his false principles. Just looking at his face, it’s not superficial, but something in-depth. Probably in reality he is also an actor who has been through the best things and worst things in life.
Pepper Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow is…okay. (With a flat tone) Unlike Tony Stark, her character is just minor as could be. Although she had her own heroic moments, you would feel that it could have been played by anyone. The simple, flat secretary being chosen to play by Gwyneth is BEYOND me. Honestly it could be played by ANYONE, but what could you expect her to do anyways? Her playing ground is limited, together with Col. Rhodes played by Terrence Howard. The movie, just like Tony Stark who is a one-man team making Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr. is indeed a one man cast in the movie. This is a movie tipped over to his side…entirely! Even Jeff Bridges, who totally transformed into Obadiah Stane, couldn’t match Robert Downey’s command onscreen. Maybe it’s just the way it should be.
Aside from the minor characters, the movie gave importance in the character development of Tony Sparks, which could easily be a point of failure for other superhero movies. The lines, probably because of Tony Spark’s character and Robert Downey Jr.’s execution, are witty and funny. The movie is entirely focused on how IRON Man came about from scraps to a highly complex machine.
Although I was looking forward to more fighting scenes, I wouldn’t say that I was disappointed because it was minimal. In the end I thought it was just sufficient for an INTRODUCTORY movie of Iron Man. Because sometimes, unlike other superhero movies, it allots major focus on breathtaking fight scenes, but with Iron Man it focuses more on the development of the character and the suit itself. Nevertheless, the limited fighting scenes somehow displayed Iron Man’s capability and brilliance.
And can I just say that Robert Downey Jr., transformed into this sexy brainy and mechanically inclined guy and somehow combining it with his newly adapted heroic persona. It must be the hair, the age or his wit, but he is indeed sexy in this film. Even IRON MAN is sexy.
The movie is a good summer treat for everyone. It’s a movie that kids would like. Men would also look forward to its weapon combats and mechanical aspects. And watching Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark complexities are enough for girls to enjoy it. It’s not a waste of money, and best appreciated when watched in the big screen.
The movie is indeed a success in depicting that “Heroes are not BORN, but they are built.”
*PIX Sources: http://blog.ugo.com/images/uploads/ironman_teaser.jpg
http://powet.tv/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/iron_man_movie_tonystark_first_look.jpg
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images/news/iron-man/imphot.JPG
http://www.firstshowing.net/img/iron-man-hit.jpg
