I have a love hate relationship with superhero movies. OK, truth be told, Spiderman 3 so infuriated me with its arrogance and ridiculousness that I wrote off the whole genre. Unfortunately, films like X-Men 3 and the Fantastic Four series only further cemented in my mind the growing trend of dressing poorly scripted superhero drivel in the finest CG suits money can buy. This said, you can perhaps more fully appreciate why I avoided Iron Man up to this point. I’m sorry that I did.
Credit belongs to the whole sea of screenwriters who banded together to create in Iron Man a funny, well-reasoned screenplay that lays the groundwork for a most enjoyable film experience. Thank you for redeeming the superhero from its abyss of mindlessness. The film’s opening scene in the Humvee set the tone for the film, Tony Stark’s character, and just about everything else that follows. It’s truly amazing what one can accomplish when dialogue is smartly written and perfectly delivered.
Speaking of well delivered, no matter the quality of one’s script it simply won’t fly without a cast to enliven it, and I couldn’t have imagined a better group of actors than those found here. As brilliant as ever, Robert Downey Jr. shines as Tony Stark where finally his sarcasm meets his sensitive side in perfect harmony. Even Gwyneth Paltrow hits a very solid double in this film, which is saying much considering her sheer number of strike-outs as of late. Ever since Seabiscuit, I’ve had a soft spot for Jeff Bridges and he proves here that even with a dark edge, he can deliver a knock-out performance. He provides in this film the best “villain” since Alfred Molina‘s Dr. Ock in Spiderman 2.
Outside of its solid script and first-rate acting, one must mention Iron Man’s spot on soundtrack. The use of heavy metal music throughout provides the beat for the character of Iron Man and captures perfectly the pent up anger and frustration of the man behind the mask.
Iron Man has shown me the light and has renewed my hope in the superhero genre. I have been redeemed and maintain hope that Iron Man 2 will only continue to carry me along this new path. Join me in my conversion by watching this film for the first time or the tenth time and I guarantee that your eyes too will be opened and you’ll be thoroughly entertained.
