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Iron Man
PG-13 (2008)
Marvel Studios, distributed by Paramount Pictures
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow,
Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges
Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) is a workaholic with a playboy style. He has it all; looks, charm,
and a multi-billion dollar weapons business that serves the free world. Nothing phases
him until he is captured by terrorists and learns his company has been selling to both
sides. Held in captivity, he escapes with the aid of his brilliant technological mind and
the selfless sacrifice of another man, who charges him not to waste his life.
Stark returns home a changed man and tries to shut down his weapons operations.
Opposed by dark forces, he develops the Iron Man suit, and sets off to right the wrongs
of his past.
You have to love Robert Downey Jr. in this one. His glib, self-possessed risk-taking
brings out some solid cheers and laughs. The chemistry and play between him and his
Girl Friday, Pepper Potts, (Paltrow), is one of the strands that make this film whole. Jeff
Bridges does a great job, becoming something new for him: a heartless Daddy
Warbucks-style character.
Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D. characters begin showing up in this one. What does Marvel have in
store for us in the future? Whatever it is, it will be eagerly awaited, as Iron Man sets an
extremely high standard, far above Marvel's feminized Fantastic Four debut.
Fatherhood
Tony Stark's father is deceased, and known only through his work, which is evenly
portrayed as either a war monger or a hero whose technology saved the free world
during World War II. Tony defends his father's reputation to a reporter while doing a
piece for Vanity Fair.
Additionally, the film supports the aspirations of boys. There are two scenes when Tony,
as Iron Man, is doing something admirable, where the camera cuts to a young boy's face
to reflect the moment, increasing boyhood identification with the hero. This makes it
extremely valuable, and rare, in supporting today's young men, who are almost
exclusively bombarded with images of young upwardly-mobile women, and who often
get no support in the media from men.
Final verdict
Loved it. Father positive, male positive, and you can take the kids.
Rock n' Roll with this one.
Other Reviews Back to top
PG-13 (2008)
Marvel Studios, distributed by Paramount Pictures
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow,
Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges
Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) is a workaholic with a playboy style. He has it all; looks, charm,
and a multi-billion dollar weapons business that serves the free world. Nothing phases
him until he is captured by terrorists and learns his company has been selling to both
sides. Held in captivity, he escapes with the aid of his brilliant technological mind and
the selfless sacrifice of another man, who charges him not to waste his life.
Stark returns home a changed man and tries to shut down his weapons operations.
Opposed by dark forces, he develops the Iron Man suit, and sets off to right the wrongs
of his past.
You have to love Robert Downey Jr. in this one. His glib, self-possessed risk-taking
brings out some solid cheers and laughs. The chemistry and play between him and his
Girl Friday, Pepper Potts, (Paltrow), is one of the strands that make this film whole. Jeff
Bridges does a great job, becoming something new for him: a heartless Daddy
Warbucks-style character.
Marvel's S.H.I.E.L.D. characters begin showing up in this one. What does Marvel have in
store for us in the future? Whatever it is, it will be eagerly awaited, as Iron Man sets an
extremely high standard, far above Marvel's feminized Fantastic Four debut.
Fatherhood
Tony Stark's father is deceased, and known only through his work, which is evenly
portrayed as either a war monger or a hero whose technology saved the free world
during World War II. Tony defends his father's reputation to a reporter while doing a
piece for Vanity Fair.
Additionally, the film supports the aspirations of boys. There are two scenes when Tony,
as Iron Man, is doing something admirable, where the camera cuts to a young boy's face
to reflect the moment, increasing boyhood identification with the hero. This makes it
extremely valuable, and rare, in supporting today's young men, who are almost
exclusively bombarded with images of young upwardly-mobile women, and who often
get no support in the media from men.
Final verdict
Loved it. Father positive, male positive, and you can take the kids.
Rock n' Roll with this one.
Other Reviews Back to top
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