Iron Man Review

Now that we are a full decade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and have a full 20 films, it seems like a proper time to go through them all. As I do so, I will be rewatching and reviewing every film in order of release, and will finish up by ranking all twenty films. The format of these reviews will also change from here on out. Reviews will be organized into different sections, so one can more easily find what they are looking for. And remember, it's all just opinions. 

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard, Shaun Toub, Leslie Bibb, Clark Gregg, Faran Tahir
Written by Mark Fergus & Hawk Otsby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway
Directed by Jon Favreau

Synopsis: When eccentric weapons dealer Tony Stark is injured by his own weapon and kidnapped, he has a change of heart on how his technology should be used.

Visuals: First things first, the visual effects on  this film have aged wonderfully. Though it is now a decade old, the suit still looks exceptional most of the time. It also helps that the suit is practical sometimes, giving a tactile sense to it. The editing and cinematography in the film are not flashy, but they do their job well enough. Weirdly enough, they add to this film's real world feeling. It's the most realistic film that's been done by the MCU, and this shows in the surprising amount of grit and brutality in the action scenes.

Audio: Not much to talk about here. The score, composed by Ramin Djawadi, is fine. The tech feel of it is thematic, but overall there aren't many memorable tracks, with only "Driving With the Top Down" standing out. Sound design wise the film is also solid. Much like the editing, it is function over flash, which is something that separates this film from the rest of the MCU.

Acting: Starting with the big one, Robert Downey Jr.'s performance makes this film as memorable as it is. He imbues Tony Stark with a perfect blend of drama and fun. He has a real edge to him in his starting bout, fitting for a man only recently removed from building weapons of war. However, even before his change of heart, the viewer still enjoys watching him. Part of this is due to the fact that Downey is the only one not playing the film straight. The rest of the cast lack Stark's snark, giving more genuine reactions, and allowing Robert Downey Jr. to take the spotlight. The one who fares best is Gwyneth Paltrow's Pepper Potts, still the gold standard of MCU love interests. She is an evolution of the common superhero love interest, helping to defeat the villain more than needing to be rescued, and serving as a proper intellectual foil for Tony Stark. As for the villain, Obediah Stane stands right about in the middle of the MCU. He unfortunately lacks truly clear motives, or much depth to speak of whatsoever. Thankfully, he's played by Jeff Bridges, who elevates the character with a sense of menace that's not found on the page. The downside to this is that he becomes less interesting upon putting on a suit of his own.

Writing: On the plus side, this film handles the character of Tony Stark exceptionally well. Stark's arc is straightforward in a way that is sorely missed currently. Though there's certainly familiar elements, the character and performance are strong enough to help it feel fresh. In retrospect, however, the film follows the Spider-Man template perhaps a tad too closely. Outside of its lead character, there's nothing unique going on in the film. Thankfully, the screenplay seems to recognize this, and thus the character takes the forefront in a way that allows it to largely overcome this familiarity.

Directing: And now, how did Jon Favreau do at setting up the tone of the MCU? Weirdly enough, in a lot of ways he didn't. While it's natural for a series to evolve as it continues, Iron Man still feels very different from how the rest of the MCU would turn out. It's roots are hooked far more deeply into the real world, and though it set up the tongue in cheek tone, it's protagonist is really the only one who's in on the joke. As far as action goes, nothing too exceptional here. It is notable that the increased realism leads to a level of brutality and intensity in its violence that would almost immediately be toned down. Even so, what this film did set up is the focus on entertainment. It uses all of its tools to make a film that is, first and foremost, fun.

Verdict: Iron Man may not have reinvented the wheel, but by making entertaining the audience its top priority it has managed to be just as entertaining ten years later as the day it was released. It may have more in common with the superhero genre of the early 2000's than with the continuation of its own universe, but it served as a familiar entry point into a new form of cinematic storytelling. Though not the peak of what its genre can accomplish, Iron Man's influence is still felt, and manages to serve as an entertaining film, even taken out of the context of what would follow.

Grade: 8.1