Iron Man - 2008

by Jonathan Little - 2008-05-01

I will admit to having been very excited about this film, from the opening trailer it looked like everything a hero film should be. The film itself let me down slightly but only because I had built it up so much in my head. The story tells the origins of Tony Stark's eponymous hero as he goes on a path of redemption after the weapons he creates for the US army get into the wrong hands. He is captured by insurgents which leads to the creation of the first suit so that he is able to escape. So far so good, unfortunately for a super hero movie things slow down towards the end with the final battle of the film seeming a little small scale. Certainly Iron Man goes up against the only foe that stands a chance against him at the end of the film but it is just one foe. Earlier in the film he goes against an army leading to a bit of an anti-climax at the end.
          This is not to say it isn't a good film, I still loved it. Jon Favreau has done a great job in the directors chair of 2008's first blockbuster. Robert Downey Jr steals the show as the hero and he is absolutely perfect for the role thanks partly to his own life history and partly due to his charisma and charm. Gwyneth Paltrow is also good as his assistant in the film. Overall I though that Iron Man was well put together and a very good film even if it does end on something of an anti-climax I look forward eagerly to the other films in the franchise.