DVD Review: Robert Downey Jr. In Iron Man
Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard Support Marvel Comic Classic Film
Nov 1, 2008
Like almost all comic book superheroes, Iron Man, aka Tony Stark is a flawed, conflicted individual. A thirty-something, good-looking, arrogant, billionaire playboy, Tony Stark is an engineering genius/prodigy. He inherited his wealth and mental gifts from his father, Howard Stark. His father was instrumental in developing the Atomic Bomb and subsequently developed Stark Industries, the leading manufacturer of military weapons in the United States.
In the comic book, Ironman's arch-rival is the evil Mandarin, who is set upon destroying the world, but the movie takes a clever turn and makes the villain a relevant, contemporary one; terrorists, giving the film-goer a visceral sense of a very real enemy.
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark
These terrorists kidnap Tony Stark and want him to create a weapon that will make them the ultimate world threat. Hurt in the kidnapping, he is near death, but a fellow scientist/prisoner saves his life by providing him with a crude nuclear heart.
Imprisoned in a cave, and in a seemingly hopeless situation, Tony Stark develops the Iron Man prototype that will help him and his fellow prisoner, Dr. Yinsen escape. The movie depicts this brilliantly, as Tony Stark builds this prototype using primitive tools and scrap metal. When Tony Stark and Dr. Yinsen are almost ready, the terrorist get wind of the plot and rush to stop him, but Iron Man/Tony Stark escapes in a thrilling sequence of events.
Back in the States, Tony Stark begins to re-evaluate his purpose in life and decides to dismantle Stark Industries, much to the dismay of his deceased father's friend and business partner, Obadiah Stane. Undaunted, Tony Stark begins on creating a stronger, faster Iron Man dedicated to doing good deeds.
The CGG/special effects department outdid themselves on this one, as you'll cheer on each increasingly sophisticated stage of the emerging Iron Man.
The Final Analysis
Iron Man's creator, Stan Lee should be extremely proud of this production. Excellent performances, clever writing, plot twists and the latest in CGG/ special effects make this movie extremely entertaining.
Robert Downey Jr. returns to the screen with professional aplomb and as he turns in a multi-layered performance that is mature and nuanced. You can almost feel that Downey went through a parallel re-evaluation of his own life as he brings the Stark/Iron Man character to his life.
Great supporting performances by Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard lend credibility, story interest and tension.
For the comic book fans, there is an interesting twist at the end of the film credits, so keep watching the DVD to the very end.
Get some popcorn and enjoy this DVD!
