Iron Man

First I will make myself loud and clear: I DO NOT LIKE SUPERHERO COMIC BOOKS. Hence I dislike most blockbusters based on those comic books. After making that little disclaimer, I have to admit that Iron Man has joined Superman II as my only two favorite superhero movies.

One thing these two movies have in common is that they don’t take their materials too seriously. It is unthinkable to me how grown-ups can keep a straight face reading and watching those superheroes involved in some outrageously silly conflicts with some completely two-dimensional character arc. Superman II was a great movie because it is just so damn campy. Iron Man may not be on the same campy level as Superman II, but the writers and director Jon Favreau understand the importance to keep the movie light. It is not just another superhero vehicle loaded with constant action sequences and loud explosions. It has plenty of sidewinding conversational riffs, wordplays and witty banters. The script, at its sharpest, has really made Iron Man worth seeing for me.

Unfortunately, like any other superhero origin movie, Iron Man is cursed to explain how this specific superhero started his journey. Wealthy industrialist, Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey, Jr.), is a genius and a playboy. After being kidnapped by Afghan terrorists, he is forced to build an armored suit in order to escape. The ordeal has changed his view in life and the world. He perfects the suit and becomes Iron Man to battle the evil. It is one of many irresponsible-meet-responsible types of superhero stories. If you have read a few comic books and watched a few superhero movies, it is not hard for you to predict what exactly is going to happen in the movie. Iron Man is a little bit on the long side in its set up. Stark doesn’t really transform into Iron Man until at least one hour into the movie. The villains he fights are still very much black and white, two dimensional characters. Director Jon Favreau’s visual skills at action sequences are limited. It’s just the usual junk, noise and big explosions. To me, the satisfaction lies completely in all the light touches Favreau and all the writers give to this movie.

All along the way Robert Downey, Jr., who plays Tony Stark with such an irreverent air, reaffirms his excellence. Downey is the heart and soul of this movie. He recalls a variety of old school stars in the way he keeps it simple and delivers all his lines with humor and charm. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Pepper Potts, Stark’s long time assistant and true love. Paltrow has matured tremendously from her early years of Shakespeare in Love. Her banters with Downey has such sexy chemistry that it is far more enticing than a simply romp in the sheets. Other supporting characters hold Iron Man back from complete enjoyment. Terrence Howard’s best friend character is pretty much the token black guy in the movie. Leslie Bibb’s beautiful, smart reporter/one of Stark’s many conquests is very clichéd. Fortunately Paltrow’s Potts character will certainly appease some of the anger maybe felt among female audiences.

As usual, the summer movie season starts with a big bang, but whats unusual is that this bang is really worth viewing.