Run Time: 02:05:59
Total Run Time: 02:05:59
This is something I've been talking about doing since what feels like the dawn of time. This will also be the first review where I've taken notes on the movie. Not extensive notes, but still, I took notes!
"Iron Man" kicked off what has become, for better or worse, the biggest franchise in the history of film. The MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), to this point has collected twenty-three movies. Currently, ten more are set to come in the following phase(s). The series has managed to traverse various sub-genres within its main genre of "super-hero." Though for the most part, at least with the original first phase of films, they stick to the action genre. The series has also launched and re-launched, the careers of many of its stars. This film not excluded, re-launching the career of Robert Downey Jr. at a point when hiring him was still seen as problematic.
"Back in Black" by AC/DC blasts and we are thrown right into the opening of the film. A US Military convoy carries Tony Stark (Downey Jr.). Downey plays Stark with the bravado and confidence needed to properly portray the character from the comics. His wit and charm lifted straight from the page.
Before long the convoy is attacked and Stark, taken captive by the "Ten Rings" terrorist organization. This is the first of many hints to come at the future of the MCU, though at this point could have just been a nod to comic readers. "Ten Rings," of course, being a hint at the Mandarin - One of Iron Man's many antagonists.
Following his capture, we then enter a flashback that will bring us to the events of the opening. We are introduced at this point to two of our supporting characters, James Rhodes (Terrance Howard) and Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges). Stane looks like an obvious villain, and will eventually become the central antagonist of the film. However, the opening scene with Starks' capture takes the viewer from this initial reaction to him. Because, in 2008 - and to some minor extent, still are - the world was in a very anti-terrorist - or to be completely honest, Muslim - mode. He isn't as obvious as the central villain when there are terrorists afoot.
As already stated, Downey is a pitch-perfect Tony Stark, perhaps due to his own struggles with alcoholism, something Tony will battle in the sequel and has battled in the comics many times before. Terrance Howard's portrayal of James Rhodes, however, is quite bland in comparison. He's written differently than his successor in all future films, being replaced by Don Cheadle in "Iron Man 2" and on. This Rhodes is more self-depreciative and has more wit to him than the future more confidant and self-assuring portrayal.
Stark presents to the military, and Rhodes, his fancy new weapon stating it only needs to be fired once. "That's how Dad does it, That's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far." Only, it won't work out for him.
The suit stark builds "in a cave! With a box of Scraps!" takes the early 70's design and puts a modern spin on it, improving slightly. The same can be said for Marks 2 and 3 of the suit.
Stark's ability to build the suit, in secret, while in captivity serves to show his genius and ingenuity. He's aided in his efforts by Dr. Ho Yinsen (Shaun Toub). The doctor's purpose is primarily to show the divide between his genius - shown through the car-battery-powered magnet keeping Tony alive - and Tony himself, who creates an arc reactor small enough to fit in the aforementioned magnet's hole. The building of his initial suit and dialogue with Dr. Yinsen also serves to show us the beginning of Tony's character shift, from egotistical ass-hat to egotistical nice-guy. First notably shown by Tony's reaction to Yinsen stating he is "a man who has everything, yet nothing."
Stark escapes capture in his Mark I suit and returns home. He no longer wants to be the war-monger he was before, but don't worry, he's still American and wants a cheeseburger. Tony begins the conference by talking briefly about his father, and how he was wrong. He announces Stark Industries will no longer be a weapons company, much to the ire of Bridges' Stane.
Following the conference, Stane tells Tony, "We're Iron Monger's." A line I honestly caught for the first time this viewing, likely because of how quiet it is spoken. Iron Monger, of course, being the Moniker of a key Iron Man villain and technically the one Stane takes on despite not actually being called that while in the suit. This is also the point where his inevitable villain turn becomes all too obvious.
It is at this point, with the help of Dum-E and U (his robot arms), Tony builds his Mark II and II suits. The comedic moments here are quite possibly responsible for the tone of most of the future MCU films to follow.
The chemistry between Pepper Potts (Gwenyth Paltrow) and Tony, cannot be understated. It only works because of their respective actor's performances. Key moments in the movie that make it all work are her gift to him following the removal of his original arc reactor along with her line delivery as he's taking on more responsibility as Iron Man with "You're going to kill yourself, Tony. I'm not going to be a part of it."
The villain's motive is money, as he is selling guns, and missiles to foreign parties under the table. Only wanting Stark's designs for the Iron Man suit to sell to the highest bidder. Willing to do anything, including murder to get what he wants.
There isn't much to the climactic final battle. It's bland when you look at it in comparison to the later films, but has notable story call-backs that make it work. There is also, the one thing that has become the most cliche thing in all of Super-hero film-dom. The sky-beam. Granted this isn't the thing they fight around or near. it's just a cool action shot of the arc reactor exploding in the form of a beam blasting into the sky.
The movie proper ends with another press conference, meant to explain away the action of the climax. Best guy Agent of SHIELD (Strategic Homeland Intervention Enforcement and Logistics Division) Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) gives Tony the script. He refuses, stating his iconic line, "I am Iron-Man" which cues the credits and Black Sabbath. The movie actually ends post-credits, now a staple of the MCU and seemingly every other blockbuster (thanks Marvel).
A perfect representation of Marvel's Ultimate Universe Nick Fury by Samuel L Jackson - he was the inspiration for the design, after all - appears in Tony's apartment, seen from behind. This scene announces two things, one slightly more subtle than the other. There will be a sequel - cause, obvious sequel bait is obvious - but also there will be an Avengers movie. Ultimately the movie ends with the line from fury referencing the "Avenger Initiative." The collective jaws of nerds everywhere dropped and everyone else said "cool, more movies."
Little did we know the behemoth the MCU would become. I'm not even sure we even know now.
"Iron Man" is one of my favorite movies in the MCU. It's also one of my favorite movies, in general, but that's a wide list. The CGI, while lacking, holds up for the most part despite the obvious flaws. The action leaves much to be desired as the set pieces don't do much more than what you could see anywhere else. The primary reason this movie works as well as it does is the character work across the board. Jeff Bridges manages to make an obvious villain interesting with his line delivery. Paltrow and Downey make you care about a potential relationship between the two of them with some very simple dialogue scenes. The only one lacking on the main cast is Terrance Howard, who may not be at fault due to the shift in the way the character is handled in the later films.
All in all, it's a blast to watch every time I come around to it. I welcome my next viewing with open arms. And now, the Ranking below:
Official MCU 23 film ranking:
- Iron Man (2008)
Next on the docket: "The Incredible Hulk" (2008)
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