Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges
‘A Captivating Comic-Book Classic’
Not many actors that gained fame many years ago are as beloved as Jon Favreau. Ever since his rise to fame during the 1990’s, Favreau has made memorable movies. Whether it’s starkly rich millionaires, chefs facing dangers or bold alcoholic swingers. Favreau has played many larger than life characters. Arguably, Favreau’s finest strength as an artist has often been his wide range of talents. Favreau has proven his skills for acting, directing and writing his films. He is one of those rare actors that has always had aptitude for being comfortable in front of and behind the camera. Although he is most famous for his iconic role as Happy Hogan in the MCU, Favreau has proven he can portray characters in various genres. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Favreau has created a legacy which is lasting. Throughout his enduring career, Favreau has created several unforgettable movies that are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Favreau and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Iron Man” is my favourite. Ever since release in 2008, Favreau’s comic-book film has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with bold production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best comic-book movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Robert Downey Jr., who portrayed an iconic comic-book hero. Ultimately, what makes “Iron Man” a fantastic comic-book movie is universal appeal. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. A captivating comic book classic, there are several strong reasons why “Iron Man” is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.
Based on the beloved comic-book, “Iron Man” follows a wealthy millionaire that designs a suit to battle adversity. Robert Downey Jr. portrays Tony Stark, a wealthy millionaire that seeks to leave a lasting mark. Tony has always had an aptitude for designing technology for his stark industry. However, Tony’s life forever changes when he becomes a victim of a terrorist attack causing disaster. To cope with his troublesome situation, Tony constructs a mechanical suit to fight warfare destruction. Assisted by longtime assistant Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), Stark is determined to fight evil forces in doomed city. Forced to question whether it’s possible to be a millionaire, Tony experiences a strong sense of despair. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Tony begins to wonder whether he can overcome disaster.
Jon Favreau is a newcomer to the comic-book genre. Before he directed “Iron Man”, Favreau had never created a comic-book movie in his career. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour the legacy of a legendary comic-book character in cinematic history but he pulled it off successfully. Using captivating montages, Favreau caprices a starkly rich millionaire on a journey to design technology. Favreau expertly uses handheld camera to capture the tensions endured by wealthy millionaires which design technology. For instance, handheld camera is suited to the terrorism scene. During this tense scene, Tony attempts to fight terrorists in the Afghan cave using his suit. Handheld camera is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of Wall Street” did suggest clearly, handheld camera enhances films about Wall Street. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through captivating visuals, Favreau captures tensions millionaires crafting suits are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Iron Man” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Favreau effectively uses practical effects to stage action sequences showcasing a superhero with iron suits. For instance, the practical effects elevate the final fight scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tony has an intense confrontation with Obadiah Stane in his iron suit with disastrous consequences. Using practical effects, Favreau captures tensions which starkly wealthy tech inventors are facing. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Ramin Djawadi’s commemorated music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the burden that commemorated superheroes bear. Through strong production design, Favreau captures lives of superheroes that decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Iron Man” is a comic-book movie which is compelling. Amidst the thrilling action, the movie finds time for compelling character development. Favreau’s finest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture the tensions starkly wealth millionaires face by flashbacks. For instance, flashbacks elevate the terrorism scene. During this scene, Tony recounts memories of being held captive by terrorists causing adversity. Through strong flashbacks, Favreau creates a strong comic-book hero that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are complex techniques to use in movies. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” suggested, flashbacks elevate classic films about intellectual disabilities. David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” demonstrated flashbacks elevate commemorated murder mystery movies. Through breathtaking visuals, Favreau captures tensions commemorated millionaires are facing.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Robert Downey Jr. delivers one of his greatest career performances as Tony Stark. Downey Jr. first earned appreciation for playing thieves in crime comedies. With “Iron Man”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a legendary comic-book superhero, but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charming and emotional in his most iconic role. Downey Jr. has always had an aptitude for portraying millionaires with charismatic nature, and “Iron Man” demonstrated his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, determination and resentments of a millionaire seeking to fight evil forces causing adversity. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the finest actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Robert Downey Jr., the supporting cast is excelled and also worthy of praise. Gwyneth Paltrow is fantastic, capturing the sorrow of a personal secretary that struggles to care for a famous superhero. Jeff Bridges is brilliant, and brings a sense of authority to a military officer abusing position of power causing adversities. Lastly, Jon Favreau merits appreciation. As a personal assistant of a superhero, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Iron Man” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing superheroes enduring tension. Unlike most Marvel movies, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including identities, determination and wealth which will resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Iron Man to appreciate it. The movie delivers a meaningful message about danger of terrorism which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Iron Man” is one of those rare comic-book movies which everyone will adore.
Fans of Jon Favreau will definitely appreciate “Iron Man” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding comic-book classic, it honours an actor that has built a legacy that’s iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking comic-book movie about a starkly rich millionaire designing Iron suits for warfare, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a successful career by playing compelling characters in unforgettable movies about which audiences deeply care.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 