Not been on the hype for a while, but here's my review of Iron Man anyway:
IRON MAN
Iron Man,the latest comic book movie from Marvel’s new production studio. Being based upon decades of comic books and having an entire mythology surrounding the character, there are certain aspect that the production must meet in order to please that fan group. However, have they tried too hard to please this target audience, and neglected the other, more important aspects of the film?
Robert Downey Jr is Tony Stark, a billionaire playboy who’s made a killing, both literally and metaphorically, in the weapons trade business. On a visit to Afghanistan to demonstrate his newest weapon, he is attacked and left as the sole survivor from him group, and forced to make a weapon for a terrorist group. Being kept alive only by a magnetic device, he decides to make something of his life, forging a mechanical suit to escape, then changing his take on life once returning home to America, and becoming the hero Iron Man.
The best word to describe this film, is formulaic. It follows the extremely basic pattern that action films and a lot of comic book films in general share. Which makes the journey rather predictable and less entertaining, as it’s the same story with a different fascia. The story itself is fine, but it’s basic portrayal and lack of flair in it’s execution does leave the audience a little under whelmed.
Performance wise, the great Jeff Bridges is massively underused and relegated to the stereotypical villain role. Robert Downey Jr does however ooze his usual level of charisma, but fails to be much more than his usual self, which is certainly entertaining, yet not spectacular. Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrance Howard in the supporting roles are also dipping heavily into the realms of cliché.
The biggest draw of this film is the special effects, which are undoubtedly fantastic, only a few moments exist where we find ourselves displeased them. But generally throughout, this is most assuredly a spectacle in terms of effects, unfortunately this is the only field in which this movie excels.
John Farveu’s direction seems more steeped in the likes of MTV rather than cinema. Sticking to punchy, loud and garish uses of the camera, sound and edits, trying to attract the audience with fast and colourful motion, but lacking any real meaning or focus. The typically poorly thought out Hollywood blockbuster school of directing is dominant.
Whilst the writing isn’t as clichéd as many of the film’s counterparts, it still falls short of greatness, mildly entertaining phrases and general persona from Tony Stark are the screenplay’s highlights, but it’s low points of cringe-worthy ‘catchphrases’ are near unbearable at times. Too much time is spent referencing the comic book world from which is came from, without addressing the fundamentals of characterisation and movie-making in general.
In conclusion, Iron Man was a disappointment, far too over reliant on the flashy special effects, it fails to really make any worthwhile impact, or have much of a point to it. Whilst the flow of the story is just about brisk enough, you find yourself treated like a child who will be happy as long as you have the stereotype characters, a few good one liners and pretty effects. Generally a basic piece of filmmaking, mildly entertaining, but it should just please the large target audience who’s expectations of cinema are limited.
t: althougn I preferred him as yellowjacket because it was his coolest costume.
