Iron Man, directed by Jon Favreau, marks the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ushering in a new era of superhero films. The film tells the story of Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr, a genius inventor and billionaire arms dealer. The plot takes place mainly in Afghanistan, a setting rarely used in the genre, giving the story a realistic feel. Iron Man was a significant starting point for Robert Downey Jr.'s career in the iconic role of Stark, a role he would reprise in many subsequent films, such asIron Man 2 and Iron Man 3.
The story follows Tony Stark, a technological genius, arms dealer and playboy, who is captured in Afghanistan. Forced by his captors to build a powerful weapon, Stark secretly constructs a high-tech suit of armor which he uses to escape. Back home, he recognizes the armor's potential and decides to improve it to fight crime and protect the innocent. The plot explores Stark's transformation from self-centered arms dealer to benevolent superhero, laying the groundwork for future conflicts and alliances in the Marvel universe.
Iron Man targets a wide audience, from action movie fans to superhero buffs, while offering a fresh perspective on the genre thanks to its distinctive realism and humor. Robert Downey Jr.'s charismatic performance as Tony Stark, combined with stunning special effects, helped make the film a commercial and critical success. The film paved the way for other superhero films, such as Thor and Captain America: First Avenger, while offering a new vision of a rich and complex superhero.
Iron Man is a major film that marked the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Its combination of humor, action and relevant themes, combined with Robert Downey Jr.'s outstanding performance, make it a must-see film for superhero fans. Its re-release on Disney+ on May 10, 2024 will allow fans to rediscover the beginning of this epic saga.
Our opinion of Iron Man:
Not being an absolute fan of the Marvel galaxy, I had my doubts about the cinematic interest of the new superhero Iron Man. The pressure was on my face even before we entered the arena and the film began. What kind of sauce was Jon Favreau going to "sedate" us with? Being used to the hollow scenarios of Spiderman, Hulk, etc., I imagined the worst. I imagined the worst. But the mere presence of Robert Downey Jr. gave me hope that the film would be different and funny. And when I dug a little deeper, realizing in particular the presence of screenwriters Fergus and Ostby, the two "creators" of the fabulous film "Sons of Man", hope became belief. I believe in you, Jon Favreau!
From the very first minutes, we're delighted to discover that the comic-book tradition has been respected. The caustic humor of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark remains true to the comics. His ingenuity keeps us entertained, even if the steel armor is a bit long in coming. We'll have to criticize the lengthy sequences played out in the "Hollywood-Afghan" caves.
These minor shortcomings add to the traditional American caricatures of Islamic terrorists. You always get the impression that they all come out of the same creative studio. Anyway...
This is a film that also makes some profound inroads into psychoanalysis.
Yes, you're not dreaming, Iron Man questions his role in life. He manages to do so without losing his way, and Jon Favreau does too, much to our relief.The choice of actors is judicious: Terrence Howard is perfect as Colonel Rhodey, a lifelong friend. The astonishing Gwyneth Paltrow brilliantly plays Stark's assistant, Virginia "Pepper" Potts. The chemistry between the two actors is breathtakingly effective.
Jeff Bridges plays the intriguing Obadiah Stane. We won't say more for the sake of the film.Fanatics will no doubt criticize the lack of action scenes, typical of most Marvel films. In defense, I'd venture to say that with Robert Downey Jr. on hand, you might as well make him talk. He's the best in the business. And with Iron Man, John Favreau seems to be of the same opinion.
So, in order to relieve the most anxious of you, I'd like to be able to say to you: "My fellow Marvelians, we may have the exception"?
Well, yes, we do... Hallelujah!
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