As we've seen the last few days, Marvel was in a bit of a slump with their movies. A bit? From summer 2004 to Summer 2008, there were seven movies based on characters published in their magazines, and- despite some being financially successful- they all sucked. None of them clicked with fans, and the critics were not impressed. Why? Because the studios licensing these characters just didn't understand the material. All they really did was ape X-Men's and Spider-Man's model for success and/or pander to mainstream audiences by either contemporizing the characters or downplaying certain aspects of the books. It looked like comic book movies were quickly running out of creative juices. Marvel was the company leading the charge for superhero movies (Its chief rival, DC, released only three movies during this period, only one of which was both a critical and commercial hit), but with this many consecutive strikeouts, they- and the genre- seemed doomed.
Well, as the old saying goes, you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Marvel's first feature as a film production company could not have come at a better time. Not only would it set the tone for the new studio, but it would change superhero films forever.
It... is... I-ron Man!
Produced by Marvel Studios and released in May of 2008, the film stars Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark, a brilliant but self-centered weapons manufacturer. While in Afghanistan selling his latest invention, he is wounded and kidnapped by a group of terrorists. Along with a wise scientist, he is forced to build his captors a WMD. Instead, Stark creates an energy device to not only keep his wounded heart beating, but to also fuel a suit of armor which enables him to fight back and escape. Tony makes it back home to his trusty assistant, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), his faithful driver, Happy Hogan (played by the film's director, Jon Favreau), his buddy, Lt. Col. James Rhodes (Terrence Howard), and A.I. butler, JARVIS (voiced by Paul Bettany). He begins to reconsider his life, and creates a new suit for the benefit of mankind, but his business partner, Obediah Stane (Jeff Bridges), has other ideas for Tony and his new creation.
Iron Man is a triumphant picture. Period. A lot has been said about how much this film rocks, so I'll say this: The film has the utmost confidence in itself, and that is because it is made by people who believe in it 100%. Obviously, Marvel believed in it, because it's their character. But now, they're the ones calling the shots. They no longer have to try to convince the majors their comics are cool to moviegoers. They were able to recruit the best talent who also believed in the picture. That included an adventurous director in Jon Favraeu, and it is his confidence in Iron Man that led to casting someone like Downey as Tony Stark. And the rest is history.
I started reading the comic book at the same time Aliens, Predator, and Robocop were coming out, and I thought the idea of Iron Man would make for an awesome movie. I would have to wait 20 years to see that, but it was well worth it. Iron Man may have been just the beginning of something extraordinary, but, all by itself, it is a daringly original superhero adventure that continues to be one of the best action movies ever.
Iron Man
5 out of 5 Cap shields
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