Dark Blades Films Presents
www.ironmanmovie.marvel.com
I’ve seriously been looking forward to this piece of cinematic wonder for too long. And it’s got nothing to do with my ridiculous 10 year crush on Robert Downey Jr and Jeff Bridges, well not loads any way. The film starts with a bang, Tony Stark (that’s Iron Man to you laymen) being held captive by “terrorists” in Afghanistan, oh my God current and political! After a large explosion he’s left with pieces of shrapnel in his heart, on the edge of death the only way to save him is if some sort of electromagnetic gizmo is strapped to him, keeping the shrapnel from doing some seriously damaging stuff. Thankfully there is an Afghan genius on hand to create, assemble and hook Tony up, in a cave.
While he’s being saved by the genius, he’s ordered by the “terrorists” to create the same weapon that he’s created for the American government, or he will die, for real this time. And because he’s also a scientific genius mastermind, he can, but he doesn’t. He constructs a super-suit, blasts himself out of there and has a cheeseburger.
From then on Tony Stark becomes a different person, realising the error of his ways, he’s ready to stop iron-mongering and take a stand against terrorism, and bombs and bullying. But not without a quick head to head with a jealous, sexy, egotistical business partner!
I do really love comic book adaptations on the big screen; they’re shiny, fast and loud, the plot is simple and effective and if they’re good, you leave the theatre buzzing from all the high octane, adrenaline soaked drama. ‘Iron Man’ did this, it was slick and stayed true to the characters in the comics. The CGI of the Iron Man suit was effective without being to flash, I mean it was flashy, but it didn’t make me cringe or cry with laughter (see ‘Hulk’, not the new one, the Ang Lee one). Some of the cheesy one-liners still make me feel a bit queasy, but you have to take it with a pinch of salt, as really that’s part of the American cheese charm.
If there is one thing that America excels in, it’s these big budget, hard, fast action blockbusters. Despite it being quite clear that this was made for the fatigued patriots of the United States, desperately trying to stir up a last bit of national loyalty and patriotism with a swift fun-filled punch, it’s still completely great. A total summer ride with lots and lots of room for a sequel, obviously.
Emily Paget