Marvel Comics has recently been licensing its properties for products that have been awesome, terrible and everything in between. But then they decided that their characters would be better off kept in the family, so they founded Marvel Studios. And, in a stroke of genius, they handed the reigns over to Jon Favreau for their initial outing, Iron Man. This is a smart, funny, thrilling movie and I think Favreau should get a lot of credit for that. All other credit should be directed toward Robert Downey, Jr.
Iron Man's alter ego, Tony Stark, is the personification of adolescent fantasies. He's a filthy rich (I'm not sure 'billionaire' does him justice) playboy who's obsessed with fast cars, one-night stands with Maxim models, and he makes giant, exploding phallic objects. The guy would be a complete douche bag if he wasn't played with the wit and charm that Downey, Jr. brings to the role. It's a great feeling to watch an actor who tried his darnedest to destroy his life come back to turn in an amazing performance in a huge blockbuster.
Speaking of coming out of nowhere, it was great to see Gwyneth Paltrow return from he baby-imposed exile. The last time I saw her we were only at war with Afghanistan. I forgot what a lovely presence she is. Not physically (though, that's certainly true), I mean she's one of those people who just looks right on screen. When she smiles she makes you smile.
Wow, have I really gone on this long without talking about awesome fight scenes featuring dudes in giant, mechanized suits? Well, this movie's got that too.
Scene after the credits? Best. Thing. Ever.
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