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IRON MAN 2008, dir. Jon Favreau Review by Keeferman |
How do you cast Tony Stark without Robert Downey Jr.? Anybody who knows the Marvel Universe and knows American pop culture KNOWS that the character Robert Downey Jr. = the character Tony Stark. They’re the same person. You can’t not have Robert Downey Jr.
Iron Man overpowers you with it’s deliberate over-the-topness. Even if you’re feeling immovably prepared for it, it’s such an irresistable force that you can’t stand against it. The fireworks are too big and too loud. The revelations and the reactions are too real. The knowing winks and the subtle nods are too magnetic. You can’t help but love this movie.
The soundtrack really helps too. You had me at “I AM IRON MAN!” Seriously.
It wasn’t necessary though for Gwyneth Paltrow to be in this movie. Tony Starks’ assistant could’ve been anybody. You could’ve had an unknown fresh face fill the part and it would’ve been just as good. Same thing for veteran actor Terrence Howard, but for a different reason. Personally, I would’ve gone with a younger version of Carl Weathers or Jim Brown -somebody kinda tough. Terrence is too smooth to play tough. You don’t want Lando Calrissian, you want… you want… I don’t know who you want, but you want a toughguy for a wingman, not some smooth wannabe.
Anyway, the villains are a little stereotypical, but they’re cool enough. The Middle Eastern terrorists and the rival-industrialist-with-a-big-robot get the job done. The protagonist does such a great job filling the screen that you almost don’t even notice how underwhelming his adversaries are. The fights are fun to watch. There are mammoth explosions and cool aerial maneuvers and stuff.
You know Iron Man’s going to win in the end, but you don’t know what kind of shape he’s going to be in after the smoke clears. He’s got a serious heart condition and a secret identity to protect. They leave you wanting more though, so there’s a guaranteed audience for Iron Man 2.
Can’t hardly wait.
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