Based on the Marvel comic book character, Iron Man sees the superhero movie fly in a new direction. That’s because Robert Downey Jr – as well known for his hell-raising past as for his acting prowess – makes for a very flawed hero in Tony Stark.
He’s a billionaire playboy whose riches comes from arms dealing. But while flogging his wares in Afghanistan, he’s injured and captured by insurgents. And for the first time he gets to see the misery his business brings to the world.
With a new sense of purpose, he builds an iron suit to escape. And once back in America, he refines the design to make himself the ultimate weapon in the fight against bad guys.
Iron Man is unusual in that it takes place in the real world, rather than in some parallel universe. Also, the superhero’s powers are technology-based, rather than supernatural.
Director Jon Favreau and his writing team have updated Tony Stark’s story from the Vietnam War to the modern day and haven’t shied away from ideas about terrorist blowback and secret war profiteering.
What also sets it apart is having Downey Jr in the lead. His motor-mouthed cynicism is refreshing after so many gee-whiz antics from Spider-Man and Superman.
In support, Jeff Bridges makes a sinister second in command to Stark, but Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard’s sidekicks feel like they’re mostly being set up for a sequel.
