By Michael Lyons
It’s what Super Hero movies are all about.
“Iron Man” debuted ten years ago this summer: a compelling origin story filled with terrific action set pieces, sharp humor, a lead character full of charm, timely themes and yes, even heart.
Based on the Marvel comic book that dates back to 1963, “Iron Man” also ushered in a series of movies and film franchises, the likes of which had never been seen before and culminates this weekend with “Avengers: Infinity War,” the grand opus of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
And it all began with the story of Tony Stark, a smart-aleck billionaire playboy who has inherited Stark Industries, a defense company, from his father. While in war torn Afghanistan, demonstrating his company’s latest missile, Tony is taken captive by a terrorist group and forced to build another weapon. In order to survive and escape, Tony crafts a crude, iron suit.
Once back home, Tony finds another “war” brewing, when he discovers that not all at his company is as it seems. He begins to refine and redesign his suit, soon emerging as the red and gold glowing hero, Iron Man.
With that story comes a most compelling hero’s journey. By almost losing his heart to shrapnel, the smug Tony Stark gains his true heart, when he decides to turn his back on the world of war and fight for those who can’t help themselves.
“Iron Man” hinges on the power of its leading man and Robert Downey, Jr. is quite powerful as Stark/Iron Man. In a career-defining role, Downey brings much of his own quick, knowing wit to the role and combines it with sympathetic vulnerability. His Tony Stark is a truly unique creation, standing out among numerous other cardboard-like super hero alter egos.
Downey is backed up by a perfect supporting Cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow as love interest Pepper Potts, who perfectly lobs verbal barbs back at Tony; Jeff Bridges is all rumbling, ominous tones as the villainous Obadiah Stane and Terrance Howard as Tony’s best friend Rhodey has such great chemistry with Downey, it makes one wonder what the future movies would have been like with him (he was later replaced by Don Cheadle).
At the helm of “Iron Man” is a most unexpected choice for director, Jon Favreau. Best known for lighter fare like “Elf” and “Zathura,” he directs “Iron Man” with a deft hand, knowing when to inject humor and also choreograph exciting action scenes that demonstrate real stakes.
“Iron Man” was released on May 2, 2008 and began a parade of films that has followed almost each year since. Additionally, the film helped make Marvel Studios a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, as they took a creative approach to creating film series and sequels.
Unlike previous film franchises, Marvel’s exist in their “shared universe,” much like comics themselves, with characters and stories appearing in and out of each film and allowing moviegoers to have a real investment in them. For a decade, these Marvel characters have become true heroes, re-igniting the comic book movie genre and moviegoing itself (not to mention defining the now eagerly awaited “post credit sequence”).
And it all started with the story of Tony Stark, the man who finally looked beyond himself to become “Iron Man.”
It’s what Super Hero movies are all about.
Sources: Wikipedia
IMDb
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