Solid Gold

Yet another superhero film hits the market place and there is a collective gasp and groan.  I was beginning to think that perhaps this genre should just go away for awhile even though I love me some comic books.  After watching Iron Man I realized that perhaps we are seeing the perfecting of the genre.  While Iron Man may not be the mainstream comic character you expect to see, it certainly provides for one of the best comic book films ever made.  You heard me, one of the best.

Iron Man has energized the comic book film mainly due to Robert Downey Jr.  His portrayal of Tony Stark shows that if you pick the right actor, you can satisfy comic book fans while still bringing in typical film-goers.  I really enjoyed the playboy attitude, because that is Tony Stark.  The only place where I was worried was when Stark transforms from the happy go lucky boozer that could care less where his weapons go to the humanitarian hero.  Downey moves flawlessly into the role of the hero without over acting the part.  You still get Stark without moving towards that cheesy save the world hero that provides no interest to the audience.  Downey stole the film and created a Stark that could last for quite a few more films.  I was also impressed with The Dude, I mean Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges).  Bridges has this great ability to play the corporate nutcase rather well.  Even setting up Col. James Rhodes (Terrence Howard) for a future role of War Machine was brilliant.  I even have to admit that Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) was well cast and worked nicely playing the Miss Moneypenny to Stark.  Paltrow may not be a favorite of mine, but she certainly found her stride playing opposite Downey.

Another reason that Iron Man functions so well is that there are only moments where you cross into that very comic book feel that has made Spider-Man a bit uninteresting and practically destroyed the X-Men franchise.  Only the final battle crossed the line, otherwise you have a solid film that speaks to the masses.  Typically in an origin story, you lose interest because either you already know the origins or the filmmakers try and put too much into a short time frame.  Iron Man proves that with the right pacing and the right context, you can provide an origin that is interesting and still moves the film forward.  However, I did wonder how stupid the kidnappers were that they simply did not realize he was making a big suit of metal.  Oh well, nothing can be perfect.

I also have to comment on the humor in the film.  By adding just the right amount of jokes, the film does not get bogged down with would could have been a very serious tone.  Those moments are perfectly timed and perfectly placed.  Oh and I know you’ve seen me writing dirtier things than that!

Overall, Iron Man is perhaps one of the best comic book adaptations that should have never been adapted.  I really do not know of that many people who were excited when an Iron Man adaptation was announced.  Other prospects made more sense, but Iron Man proves that sometimes seemingly bad ideas can be turned to gold.  I am actually excited about more prospects like Iron Man and the next Iron Man film.  I am beginning to worry that the comic book genre of films may be hitting overload.  The deluge of films to come may erase any traction that films such as Iron Man have gained in the marketplace.  Will people keep going to comic book films?  It really depends on the quality of those films.  One bad Thor or one good Watchmen could really make a difference.