In 2008, the superhero film was in full swing.
WhileSpider-Manand theX-Menwere critical darlings and money magnets, Marvel had no creative control over their own characters.
Enter Marvel Studios andIron Man.
Iron Manwas a risk.
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Imagine ifIron Manfailed.
There would have been noThor, noCaptain America, noAvengers.
The upcoming excitement and anticipation forGuardians of the GalaxyandAnt-Manwould just be a fans pipe dream.
To direct the film, Marvel turned to an unlikely talent.
Jon Favreau began his connection with Marvel by playing Foggy Nelson inDaredevil.
Tony Stark would be another issue.
Stark was a complex character.
A man of tremendous power and ambition with an almost god like ego.
Yet, all these characteristics would need to be combined with a very human vulnerability.
PreviousIron Manfilms had been connected to the likes of Tom Cruise.
But for the rightIron Manmovie, the Iron Man that had to be both human and larger than life.
Downey is not an impressive physical specimen, but Iron Man doesnt need to be.
Starks power is in his mind and, by extension, his armor.
Downeys Tony Stark is complete character, filled with quirks and foibles.
He is part Howard Hughes, part Bill Gates, part James Bond and wholly Tony Stark.
Iron Manspacing is textbook.
The first act deals with establishing Stark as a weapons designer who considers himself invulnerable.
Throughout the film, Stark carries a generous helping of self-loathing.
Stane serves as the perfect foil for Stark.
Obadiah Stane is proud of being an Iron Monger, a man who profits from death.
Throughout the film, Stark and Stane banter like only two old friends can.
Favreau keeps all these conflicts grounded through the relationship of Pepper, wonderfully played by Gwyneth Paltrow and Tony.
Yet, none of these things derail the story.
It was a character journey fraught with personal peril and challenges.
Stark undergoes the heros journey and transforms himself from a selfish egoist into an altruistic futurist.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
