June 25, 2008
FILM REVIEW
By A. Titan
Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man–
Steel Crazy After All These Years
 Like the song implies, crazy good, crazy fun, crazy exciting. Iron Man is the kind of film that audiences can get excited about. Finally, a truly fresh, nuanced, stimulating and visually stunning super hero movie that enriches archetypal story line with strong dramatic performances and character development that is believable. Iron Man's effects make for great art, and it's music rocks, and throbs. There's even a timely message for our times.
Midst all the action and eye candy, the story is one of obsession both the creative kind, and the destructive kind. Billionaire weapons developer, Tony Stark—Downey Jr.'s character— is hooked on money, power and success. He's got a super charged ego; his Da Vinci-like inventiveness has brought him acclaim and wealth, but it's clear that something is wrong in this wealthy dude paradise.
Stark is self absorbed, blind to the feelings and needs of other's and ripe fruit for Life to toy with. On a weapons testing mission to Afghanistan, Stark is injured and abducted by bad guys. He's patched together by a fellow captive, a doctor, who's implanted a magnetic core in his patient's chest. The device prevents embedded shrapnel from reaching Stark's heart. It is a field dressing solution though, and is powered by a clunky car battery, that the now bedraggled Stark has to lug about. Predictably, the baddies demand that Stark go to work and build for them a WMD. Instead, Stark and the sidekick doctor begin a life saving project to build Stark a new chest implant, one that will power his heart for decades. From stores of Stark Industry killing technology, they devise the implant and also craft an armored exoskeleton that will become their means of escape. Their shared effort transforms the means of death into the means of saving their lives. But the invention has a terrifying aspect: while the armor is the ultimate defense; it is also the überweapon. If only it can remain in responsible hands.
After the escape from Afghanistan, during which the doc sacrifices himself for Stark's best chance of survival, Stark is clearly a changed man. He's still tied to a company that is acknowledged as "the merchant of death", but with fresh eyes he revaluates his relationships and place in the bigger scheme of life. Part Daedalus, part modern tinkerer and part techno geek, he privately tackles Mach II and Mach III versions of the exoskeleton in a personal transformation that realizes a better self through creativity. The product we understand will be used to defend and protect life.
As knowing audience, we see proof-of-life in Downey Jr.'s role, and confirmation of this actor's rise above addictive and destructive behavior.
The transformation of Stark parallels that of comeback actor Downey Jr., and we all know audiences love an authentic comeback kid. Both actor and the film character recommit to the redemptive aspects of art and we witness their respective positive transformations. As creating Iron Man reveals new and better directions for the Stark character, Downey Jr.’s performance demonstrates a commitment to, and rediscovery of, the actor's craft. His natural and masterful improv moments confirm his command of the material. He brings nuance and refinement to what could easily have become a cliche character in the hands of a less capable talent.
As knowing audience, we see proof-of-life in Downey Jr.'s role, and confirmation of this actor's rise above addictive and destructive behavior. We are thrilled. It's Seabiscuit winning the Santa Anita, it's Cinderella Man delivering the knock out punch. It's better than fiction, it's the real thing.
Iron Man also features strong, believable performances from Jeff Bridges as the corrupt and greedy Stark partner, Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark’s assistant and love interest, and actor Shaun Toub as the doctor. The exciting sound track has some thrilling guitar solos that beg one to download the soundtrack from the Film's official website: http://ironmansoundtrack.marvel.com/.
Marin County based ILM along with the Orphanage and Pixel Liberation Front were responsible for the marvelous special effects: flying sequences where Iron Man flees from fighter jets, the gorgeous explosions, dueling exoskeleton-clad warriors, and perhaps best of all armor assembly sequences where man and machine become one. The costume design is exquisite. This is one power suit.
Marvel Entertainment, original creator of the 70s comic book hero, put the project in production as their first self-financed film. They chose wisely in selecting Jon Favreau for director. Favreau's naturalistic vision and fine eye for detail have built a convincing, high quality visual experience that is a hit with box office audiences. Two more Iron Man films are being planned.
Iron Man is rated PG-13 and is currently playing in theaters around the Bay Area. See tellimarin.com for local venues.
Rating: **** Simply "Marvel"ous
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