Iron Man

 

Iron Man (2008)

Directed by Jon Favreau

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Plot: It felt fitting to do my next blog on another Avenger, seeing that I am binging the entire series right now. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr., ) to put it plainly, is a brilliant, world-famous engineer and billionaire. After being kidnapped and forced to build weapons for terrorists, he takes this as an opportunity to build a suit of armor, with this helping him to escape. After escaping, he spends his time refining the suit and using it to combat evil, but is confronted with a conspiracy within his own company. Tony must figure out how to use his suit to his advantage to stop Obadiah Stane, who is stealing Stark's technology for his own gain. 

Characters: This is yet another movie that the primary focus should be on the protagonist, but this doesn't dismiss all the other characters we are introduced throughout the movie, such as Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), and James Rhodes (Terrence Howard, Don Cheadle). Tony Stark's character arc is one of the most iconic throughout the entire MCU, as he transforms from a self-absorbed weapons manufacturer to a man capable of taking responsibility for the impact of his inventions, choosing to protect rather than destroy the world. The audience's first impression of Tony is that of arrogance and a playboy, coming off as careless and seemingly only motivated by fame and pleasure. His arc starts as he experiences a "wake-up call" when he is kidnapped by a group called The Ten Rings, and sees firsthand the destruction he has caused to people by his own weapons. He begins to build the first Iron Man suit in retaliation, signifying that he has quit thinking about profits and is taking responsibility for the damage he created. After escaping captivity, he decides to shut down Stark's division of weaponry, driven by purpose to prove himself to the world and protect his legacy. He reveals himself as Iron Man, fully embracing his new identity, showing that he is a superhero with determination to fight for the greater good. 

Cinematography: The cinematography in Iron Man is a reflection of Tony Stark's transformation. The realism included helps the audience to believe in the Iron Man suit, even if it beats all odds, further anchoring the sci-fi elements in the real world. Across the Marvel and Iron Man movies, one of the most iconic and notable choice when it comes to Tony's character is the "Heads Up Display." This is where we as the audience are given inside-the-helmet shots of Tony's face inside his suit, allowing us to see what he is experiencing while talking to his intelligent system called Jarvis. Another signature shot is the final line of the film, which is "I am Iron Man." This is a simple line combined with a centered shot directly on Tony, with no dramatic music and the cutting off of exploding chatter. This shows us that Tony owns the truth, both visually and narratively. The cinematography also sets the language for the MCU, as it is key to keeping a man relatable, especially when he is in a very powerful suit of armor. 

Score: The soundtrack of this movie is nothing short of amazing. It speaks true to the embodiment of Tony Stark, which is that of confidence, chaos, and just super cool.  Rock meeting orchestra is a reflection of Tony's personality, as he isn't your typical, noble hero but is notoriously rebellious and flashy. The electric guitar becomes a signature for Tony. Iron Man's soundtrack and score laid the groundwork for scores across the MCU, making them more character-driven rather than the average superhero music. 

Underlying themes: I think an important underlying theme of Iron Man is that of the cave that Tony was kidnapped in, was way more than just a physical place of confinement. The cave represents Tony's rebirth, as he entered it a selfish, arrogant man that had not once thought about the consequences of his actions, and emerges as a changed man that is driven and self-aware. His fellow captive, Yinsen (Shaun Toub), also teaches him throughout their time in the cave about not wasting your life, and how crucial it is to possess a moral compass. Tony learns a lot from Yinsen and pays respect to him throughout the film. It is in the cave where we meet the real Tony Stark. 

Final thoughts: What a great movie to kick off the MCU with. When it comes to casting, Robert Downey Jr. could not have been more perfect. He is a jerk and someone you sympathize with all at once, and you can't help but to love him for it. In my opinion, Iron Man is the Avenger, as he is representative of the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, and none of it could've happened without him. Understanding Iron Man is understanding his origin story and redemption arc, making him a complex character who struggles with real life problems, such as anxiety, but is able to consistently prove himself as a fighter. Obviously this film has my recommendation, but you simply can't just stop watching after the first Iron Man. You also need to watch Iron Man 2 and Iron Man 3, to truly appreciate the depth of RDJ's character.