GRIMSHAW'S ATTIC MEDIA

 

 

 

So, in the lead up to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, I decided that I should rewatch some of the previous films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe series. And, because I'm a massive nerd slash obsessive compulsive, I decided to watch all of them and give my thoughts about them. So let's get on with it, starting with Iron Man.

 

Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr., is an billionaire industrialist and weapon designer whose convoy is attacked in Afghanistan, giving him a wound that if he does not keep in check, will prove to be fatal. Stark soon escapes after creating a high-tech suit of armour and becomes the superhero Iron Man.

 

If I may be frank, I've always found this film rather slow. It basically runs on autopilot, giving us the origin story and somewhat conventional characters like Gwyneth Paltrow's love interest Pepper Potts, and Terrence Howard's best friend character Rhodey, and mentor turned villain Obadiah Stane, played by Jeff Bridges. These actors are all believable in their roles, but feels a rather weak script. That said, this film is still a fun watch, and I think a lot of that comes down to Robert Downey Jr. Downey is perfectly cast as Iron Man and is pretty much the single best thing about this film.

 

It's clear Downey is using his experiences to give the character a much-needed sense of depth and dimensions to the role, and with director Jon Favreau's help, creates a character that isn't basically Batman in a suit of armour, but a manic, ADHD-like character that is as brillaint as he is quirky and cheeky. This is a character that is pretty much working by the seat of his pants while making sure he's as flashily as possible and that's a hell of a lot of fun to watch.

 

And sure, I say this film is slow, but it still is a lot of fun to watch. It adapts the material with the mature, grounded feel comic book adaptations have been going for since Nolan came along, but at the same time, it doesn't take itself too seriously. It's knows exactly when to be a serious and when to just go and have fun.

 

Overall, not one of Marvel's Studios best, but a decent enough first outing. Give it a look sometime.