I Heart Movies

If you thought James Bond was smooth, then you haven’t met Tony Stark. Played pitch perfect by Robert Downey, Jr. in Iron Man, Tony Stark is the billionaire playboy to end all billionaire playboys. He has the riches of Bruce Wayne (Batman) and the style of the aforementioned James Bond. When questioned by a hot Variety reporter, he not only gives her great, witty responses, but also has the moves to get her in his bed. That’s just one example - and a small one, at that - at why Iron Man is the hottest movie this year.

So what’s all this hubbub about? What’s so great about Iron Man? Let’s start with Tony Stark himself. Robert Downey, Jr. plays - essentially - himself. He’s had some very well known ups and downs in his own life, and the life of Tony Stark mirrors those times. Choosing Downey as the boozing, womanizing Stark was inspired casting. From the high times in the beginning of the film, to the more somber Stark that comes out later in the film, Downey has this role down.

And then there’s the armor. Oh man, that armor. Not only are the designs a fanboys dream, but they are just plain beautiful. There’s no way around it. Even the clunky first suit shines in its functionality. The scenes where Iron Man flies through the air, chased at mach speeds by jet planes are just amazing. And watching Tony build and test the armor added some great comic relief.

That’s not to say this film is all eye candy. There’s a big message here about a man changing his lifestyle in order to become a better person. Not to mention the anti-war profiteering messages and ideas of redemption that permeate the film. This film fires on all cylinders, satisfying in all degrees. It has action, drama, and a good amount of laughs. Very well rounded, and easily the most entertaining movie I’ve seen in theaters in a long time.

And that’s what this movie comes down to - entertainment. Despite my trying to convey how the movie has thematic elements, I have to admit that this movie is entertaining enough where you can ignore all that and just sit back and enjoy the ride. You don’t need to look into the plot. This doesn’t have to be a deep movie. Heck, it probably isn’t meant to be. But if you look, you just might find something.

There’s just one eensy caveat in the whole thing that I must bring up, however, and that’s Gwyneth Paltrow as love interest Pepper Potts. She’s fine for most of the movie. Most. She’s charming and her interactions with Stark are as cute as they are funny. But as soon as she finds out that Stark is Iron Man, her acting goes out the door. She becomes stiff, uninteresting, and unbelievable.

Besides that, all the other co-stars do a superb job. Terrence Howard is excellent as Jim “Rhodey” Rhodes, Tony Stark’s best friend and right hand man. Jeff Bridges - much to my surprise - had a chilling villainous presence as the sinister Obadiah Stane.

Let’s not forget the special after-the-credits scene. That…was stunning. And I won’t spoil any of that here, no sir.

All in all, an excellent start for the soon-to-be Iron Man franchise (the sequel’s already scheduled for 2010!).

And in case you’ve been living in a hole, here’s the trailer (a work of art in itself!):

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