Media Maven: Iron Man Movie Review
“Iron Man”
Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges
How can ordinary people be fascinated by something that began with a drawing on paper and catapulted to a super sized maga box office hit?
It’s easy! Go see the movie “Iron Man.”
Marvel Comics calls Iron Man “an icon in the comic book world.” They go on to say it “has high-tech action! The evilest villains! The coolest gadgets and the hottest cast!”
Robert Downey Jr. heads the list of super actors as Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man. Pepper Potts, his Girl Friday, is played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Terrence Howard plays Iron Man’s best friend Jim Rhodes and Jeff Bridges is his longtime business associate.
You don’t have to have read any Marvel comics to enjoy this entertaining escapade. From the get-go we see the high rolling, free-wheeling billionaire playboy Stark living extravagantly in Las Vegas, being honored at a dinner for his works as a successful weapons designer and businessman. He’s too busy working the Vegas tables to attend.
The award is accepted by his business associate the cavalier Bridges. Bridges’ performance adds weight as a talented heavy hitter. We watch the forces of evil corrupt his devotion to Stark Enterprises, yet we never clearly believe in the metamorphosis of betrayal under which he so connivingly falls prey.
Paltrow adds the feminine sensibility and groundedness to Stark’s revelation that his company has only served to perpetuate evil and to atone for his mistakes he must save the world!
Through a titillating plot involving capture, terrorists and an explosion that permanently damages Strark’s heart, we discover that to stay alive Stark’s creates a suit of armor thereby turning him into a superhero.
Jon Favreau’s smart direction to the plot combines with the hip dialogue, high tech interaction of Stark’s resourceful robotic retinue to deliver a comic book sensation that explodes on to the big screen.
Downey Jr. is the real draw here though he seems to be an unexpected choice for a superhero — you know fighting crime and the American Way. However, coupled him with an outstanding music score that rivets the audience into attention and Iron Man is a blast!!
Chic Stars: Four Chic Stars
Jan’s Movie Rating System:
5 – Top notch entertainment
4 – Compelling, Heartwarming, Thrilling, Comical
3 – The a) story b) actors c) special effects saved/made this movie.
2 – If you are bored watch it, or wait for DVD
1 – Don’t bother. Too morose, too violent, too blasé, an enigma.
