Published: May 08, 2008 06:51 pm            

Review: 'Iron Man' a blast

JOPLIN, Mo. — Traditionally, summer has been a haven for mindless, action-heavy films. Hollywood saves the higher brow flicks for the fall, and the viewers can leave their brains at home. But on occasion, someone gets their chocolate in my peanut butter, and someone mixes quality in with my brain-dead action. And the result is very satisfying.

“Iron Man” is the latest attempt to cash in on the comic-book world. Previous movies, such as “Spider-Man,” have been highly enjoyable. Others (“Fantastic Four”) left a bad taste in the mouth. Still others (“Daredevil,” “Elektra”) are best left to bad memories. But the latest Marvel release, and the first one financed by the company itself, delivers all that was promised in previews and more.

Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark, a charming and arrogant weapons manufacturer who seems created from charisma. After being taken captive by jihadists in the Middle East, he builds a prototype suit of iron which he uses to escape. When he realizes the damage being done with the weapons that he has built his livelihood on, he perfects his suit and goes on a mission to right the wrongs that his weapons have been used for.

The first thing that sets this film apart from your average summer popcorn movie is the pedigree of the cast. Besides Downey, the film boasts such acting talent as Jeff Bridges as Stark’s mentor/nemesis Obadiah, Terrence Howard as Stark’s handler, Jim, and Gwyneth Paltrow as his assistant and smoldering love interest, Pepper Potts.

That so many talents signed on to work on this film not only speaks well of the script but also of the respect for director Jon Favreau.

Downey is the man who shines the most in this film. Scant years removed from drug and police issues that could not only have cost him his career but his life, he is sober and fully in control of his demons, and it shows with a performance that dominates the screen. While this most likely won’t bring him any nominations come Oscar time, it does establish a foundation for a franchise and a character that should live on through many more films. Downey has been making smart career decisions since his comeback, and it is good to see his talent being utilized again.

Paltrow, Howard and Bridges seem to be relishing the opportunity to have fun acting. Paltrow is a worthy adversary to the womanizing Stark, and Bridges goes from compassionate to despicable without a hitch. Howard is slightly underutilized, but does a strong job trying to keep Stark under control.

Favreau, however, is the other big star to emerge from the film. Having started with the cult classic “Swingers,” he honed his directing chops on “Made,” “Elf” and the underrated “Zathura.” To put such an effects-heavy, big-budget movie in the hands of someone who hadn’t worked in that area before was a big risk, but one that pays dividends and showcases the director’s ability to work in any genre and with any budget. Favreau has helmed a smart yet entertaining movie that makes me excited to see what he will work on next, aside from the inevitable sequel.

There is an inherent risk to taking on known entities like “Iron Man,” and it easily could have resulted in a lackluster product. Instead, the talent behind this film produced the most enjoyable movie so far this year. If this is a sign of what the summer holds for us, then it bodes very well for the viewer.



Benji Tunnell writes for The Joplin (Mo.) Globe.

        

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