Movie: Iron Man

Director: Jon Favreau

Production: Paramount Pictures/Marvel Studios

After the many years of planning and production, going through four different production companies, one of the most creative Marvel characters has been finally brought to the big screen. Through the imaginative mind of director, actor, and writer Jon Favreau, Iron Man was finally released into world. This will be the debut film that puts Marvel in the production seat alongside Paramount as they self-financed the film. With Marvel apart of the film, writers could not stray away from the original storyline set by the original creators of the beloved Iron Man series that first appeared in the ‘Tales of Suspense’ comic in 1963. The film followed practically a present day version of the storyline that was originally written for Anthony Edward Stark.

The film gathered a star studded cast of veteran actors that gave an immense performance in the characters they were portraying. Robert Downey, Jr. gave a unique yet original character development as Tony Stark. With his comedic quirks, he gave life to the machine that is Iron Man and made the presence of Stark vivid in every detail. Terrence Howard portrays Lieutenant Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes, a United States Air Force jet pilot and a close personal friend and military liaison to Stark and Stark Industries. Howard added much loyalty to his character as he proved to the audience that he will continue to reprise that same role, there are even hints in the film of what he could be reprising as. Gwyneth Paltrow also makes her presence felt as the loyal Pepper Potts and practically Starks’ love interest. The antagonist of the film is played by another veteran actor known for plenty of films; Jeff Bridges portrays the elusive Obadiah Stane. Bridges gave a stunning performance as the villain of the film and giving character to the prototype Iron Monger.

A brief synopsis of film without giving any spoilers starts off in the modern day. Tony Stark and Obadiah Stane are business partners who run the largest weapons distributor in America. Stark Industries builds weapons for the U.S. Military and is known as the top in that business. Lt. Col. James Rhodes is the best friend and personal liaison to Tony Stark. During a routine business trip to Afghanistan, pitching their new missile ‘the Jericho,’ Stark is kidnapped by rebels. During the attack, shrapnel from an exploded missile, which was ironically built by him, embeds itself in his body near his heart. In order to survive, he builds a small device that is attached to his body using an arc reactor that supplies energy to an electromagnet which prevents the embedded shrapnel from reaching his heart, which would kill him, much like the fictional larger arc reactor he built in his warehouse.

While being held captive, the rebels request him to build a missile for them much like that of his previous invention ‘the Jericho,’ but a better version, if he comply, he would die. With the essential materials given to him as requested to build a missile, he in turn uses those same items and different scrap iron parts to build a prototype of exo-skeleton body armor with his arc reactor electromagnet as the main power source for the suit. Stark uses this armor to escape from the clutches of his captives, rescued by his friend Rhodes after they find him and is able to return home where he continued to work on the suit of armor building a more sleeker, lighter, yet more powerful design. Like every movie there are plenty of twists and turns, it wouldn’t be a great movie without it and I wouldn’t be reviewing it. There is definitely more to the story, but I won’t spoil any more of the film.

On the real, it was an overall unexpectedly good movie. I really didn’t expect much from it at first, but after seeing it, now I know why Rotten Tomatoes.com gave it a 92% rating. I got to admit, the acting from all angles gave the film its shine, Downey, Bridges, and Howard made their characters definitely convincing. Director Jon Favreau really amazed me with this Marvel Superhero, thankfully sticking to the original storyline the best way he could. The sequel has already been greenlit to begin production and all the same actors Downey, Howard, and Paltrow have already signed on to reprise their roles. As a matter fact, Downey will be playing Iron Man in all three installments including The Avengers film. Downey will also have a cameo appearance in the upcoming Incredible Hulk film due out this June. If any of ya’ll do decide to watch the film, not only will you enjoy it, it is interestingly to finally see a switch from X-Men and Spider Man. And if you have patience stay until the end credits complete, there is a bonus scene that cameos Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, listen to his one line.