930. Iron Man (2008)

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard

Director: Jon Favreau

Running Time: 126 mins

Iron Man is an American film about billionaire weapons manufacturer Tony Stark who, after escaping capture by Afghan bandits using his weaponry against him, uses his technological skill to create a metal suit of armour to fight evil and to work for world peace.

This is a really cool film. With a kick-ass performance by Robert Downey Jr., fantastic special effects, an intelligent and convincing story and a light-hearted and fun atmosphere helped by brilliant dialogue, this film is a hell of a lot of fun for all, whether you’re a big Marvel fan or not really into the superhero genre at all.

The main thing that sets this film apart from the other Marvel Cinematic Universe instalments (i.e. Captain America and Thor) is that it’s got such a believable and realistic story. Of course, it’s not a problem for a superhero film to have a mad fictional story, but the way that this whole character of Iron Man is set out is so intelligent and convincingly watertight that it just makes the whole film so much more engaging.

Basically, Tony Stark is the same sort of character as Bruce Wayne, a billionaire who uses his millions to create a superhero and fight crime, whether it be Batman or Iron Man, but the one thing that puts Stark above Wayne is his charisma. Robert Downey Jr. brings the cocky billionaire to life in this film, and makes him an absolute joy to watch with his witty remarks and snappy exchanges with the other characters, something that really helps to give this film its successful light-heartedness.

So, the main hero is a lot more believable because the man behind him is a real guy, not someone with supernatural powers bestowed on him to fight evil, which makes him a lot easier to relate to and support. What’s more is that the villain here is a lot more believable too.

Instead of simple rage or revenge, the reasons for the conflict here are all very well-thought out and convincing, in effect being a conflict more about business and politics than most other superhero movies, which is something that just makes this all the more impressive and coherent to follow along to.

Finally, away from how believable the story was, the special effects here were fantastic. It’s all got a very slick feel of wealth and technology, something that really adds to the realism of the whole situation, and makes this simply a very good-looking film to watch.

Overall, this gets a 7.9, because of its surprisingly good realism, strong central performance, fun atmosphere, intelligence and slick visuals.