Friday, May 2, 2008

Well my friends, the summer movie season is upon us.  Over the next few months you'll be bombarded with flashy adventures that will have you simultaneously shoving popcorn in your face and slurping down Mr. Pibb at an unhealthy rate, and you'll love every second of it.  Why?  Because more than likely whatever you're seeing will have water cooler-worthy one-liners, massive explosions and sexy people.  Or, as us Texans would say, the kind of fun that you can't find in the melting heat outside. 

First up in 2008 is Iron Man.  For those that don't know, the plot centers around a weapons manufacturer named Tony Stark who starts a quest to help those he has inadvertently put in danger with the weapons his company sells.  Only instead of dressing up in spandex or some other awkward costume he decides to build the most technologically advanced suit of armor known to man, which easily makes the story 400% cooler than your normal comic book adaptation. 

In fact, that's sort of the whole point of Iron Man; it's cool.  This isn't Peter Parker living through teen angst time and time again, Bruce Wayne whining about the loss of his parents or Superman looking sad because Lois Lane is having her way with some other man.  Nope, this is about a guy who goes through an experience and then instantly makes a decision to stomp on any chance of it ever having again, and he does it with a smirk and an ego that only a genius billionaire could possibly have.

Speaking of that guy, Robert Downing Jr. was clearly made for the role of Tony Stark.  You know straight from the beginning that the character isn't one that should be respected for anything other than his prowess in the workshop, but Downing Jr. is so charming and engaging as Stark that you can't help but root for him in whatever he's doing.  Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark's personal secretary, Pepper Potts, is also really good in a role that finally requires her to be something other than snobby or whiney.  Terrence Howard doesn't have a huge presence in the film, because he is there more to help setup the inevitable sequel, but it isn't too hard to see why he was cast as the best friend/confidant known as Jim Rhodes.  Next to Downey Jr., though, I have to give the most credit to Jeff Bridges for turning in the creepy businessman performance of the year.  It will now be difficult to trust anyone who is bald and sports a beard.

I realize that outside of calling it cool and praising the cast I haven't given you much of a reason to get out and see this, but I want you to know that's only because Iron Man isn't a film that you break down to discuss it's cultural impact or overall meaning.  Jon Favreau, while he probably could if he felt the need, just doesn't roll like that.  It's clear that he wanted to give audiences everywhere one hell of a time to remind them that during the summer it's all about who can do it bigger and better.  I guess we'll see if anyone can manage to top what is not just a good movie, but one of the better comic book adaptations that I've ever had the pleasure of seeing.  Do not miss Iron Man.

- John Laird - -

Unless otherwise expressly stated, all text in this blog and any related pages, including the blog's archives, is licensed by John Laird under a Creative Commons License.