Movie Review: Iron Man

I decided, after months of not going to the theater, that I was going to use part of my gift card to go see this comic book adaptation, which had gotten rave reviews from some female friends - so I knew I wasn't dealing with strict fanboyism. Nor did any of them strike me as ragingly hot for Robert Downey Junior (who, I must admit, kind of surprises me that he's still alive, what with that druggy youth).

I wasn't disappointed.

Iron Man is, as you'd expect, your typical superhero genesis tale. Tony Stark (Downey Jr) is a rich playboy whose family money comes from manufacturing weapons. He gets a kick out of posh drinking and blowing things up. He flirts incorrigibly and sleeps around. He chats up the soldiers taking him to the demonstration site in Afghanistan, encouraging them to take pictures with him.

It's not spoiling a lot to tell you it all goes awry and he ends up captured by Afghani terrorists who want him to build a bomb. That part has been released in all the media. It's how he goes about building his supersuit and escaping that's worth letting you see for yourself.

Suffice it to say the CGI never takes over the movie. Maybe it's because the Iron Man suit itself is only somewhat humanoid, unlike, say, the Incredible Hulk, which was displayed in a trailer before this movie. For both this and the previous Hulk, I found the Hulk himself far too CGI for me to suspend disbelief. I don't have a problem with that in Iron Man. In fact, most of the CGI is done really well and in such a way as to not call attention to itself.

Downey Jr is right for this role. I've heard director Jon Favreau (who will always be "that guy" from PCU) encouraged ad-libbing, and it shows - in a good way. Downey Jr carries on a somewhat awkward conversation with the soldiers in his Humvee, but it all seems perfectly natural. He's got an endearingly boyish, rakish charm, and the goatee and sinewy arms sure don't hurt. Even despite his tendency to walk with his belly sticking out like a gangly toddler, he's got sex appeal. You might almost believe a Vanity Fair reporter (Leslie Bibb) writing a scathing piece on him would be tempted with just a few words to fall into bed with him, even if she thinks he's a scoundrel.

This isn't a serious role like Bruce Wayne in Batman. Christian Bale was right for that role (and hella sexy to boot) and Downey Jr is right for this one, juggling sardonic humor and grim shock easily. As a reporter you'd find him downright intriguing to cover because you'd never know what would come out of his mouth, but it would always be worth quoting.

I would be remiss without mentioning the supporting cast. Gwyneth Paltrow, fetching as usual, plays Stark's long-suffering assistant Pepper Potts, without seeming too smug, as she sometimes can. You can easily imagine she's been in love with her boss for years and so doesn't mind the way he goes about his daily business. I would have liked to have seen this role a bit more empowered for the times, but Paltrow doesn't really do shrinking violet anyway. (Plus it was nice to notice she has freckles and isn't ashamed of them.)

Terrance Howard is Col James Rhodes, Stark's best friend, and I always think Howard is grossly underused in his films. He's got a honey smooth voice, a nice-guy face, and of course he can act. I'd like to see him get a bigger role in any subsequent features. If you're a comic book geek, there's supposedly a moment where Rhodes hints at a crime fighting future, but it would have slipped by me had I not read about it elsewhere.

Jeff Bridges is Obadiah Stane, Downey's business partner, and Bridges revels in the vague cross of paternalism and malevolence that is Stane's stock in trade. You won't be surprised by what happens with Stane, but Bridges sells it. Keep an eye out for a purchase order Pepper's scanning about 2/3 of the way through the film. I swear it was made out to a Lebowski. That's an inside joke about a previous Bridges role. (The DUDE!)

Shaun Toub (who has been in a lot more shows that you've seen than you probably realize) is Stark's comrade in captivity Yinsen in a small, predictable role, but he handles it well. Faran Tahir is Raza, clearly the bad guy among bad guys because of his shaved head and haughty demeanor, but he too has an acting resume far more extensive than I'd expected. Both guys have one-note roles but they fill them as well as can be expected. It would have been nice to see those roles more layered.

And two items of note: actor Paul Bettany voices Jarvis, Stark's computer, and a fella I affectionately call Quo Vadimus (Clark Gregg) has a small role as Agent Phil Coulson. This nickname is a reference to his role on the ill-fated Sportsnight, and I've had a soft spot for him ever since. You'll recognize him; the soft-spoken mild-mannered actor pops up everywhere.

Animals: To the best of my recollection, no animals were harmed in this film, but if you like gorgeous cars, you might want to cover your eyes. WHY, oh WHY does Tony Stark practice flying in his GARAGE???

Overall: This movie is easy to plot ahead in your mind, so there are no surprises there. But the acting is solid, the special effects are never intrusive, and basically it's just a fun summer popcorn flick worth enjoying. Three and a half roses out of five.

PS Stick around after the credits for a short additional scene, aimed mostly at fanboys.