He is Iron Man. Da-na-na-na-na, na, na, na.
The consensus is pretty general, Downey Jr. as the iron-clad Tony Stark is the new blockbuster franchise Hollywood has been praying to the money gods for. And comic book dorks, movie critics, and regular joes alike are resounding with waves of pleased applause around the globe, not unlike the week the first Spiderman flick struck gold a few years back.
But you're here because you want to know what I see beneath the heavy (and sleek) Iron armor of the movie, aincha? Well allow me to suit your fancy.
There is an excellent soliloquy towards the conclusion of Kill Bill Part 2 where Bill waxes intellect on superheros and comic books. In it, he explains how Superman is the most unique of superheros because unlike most heroes out there in comic land, Superman is his true identity. He was born Superman. He became Clark Kent to fit in, which is backward for most heros, even the mutant X-men. And Clark Kent is how the all-powerful alien being, Superman, views the human race; dorky incapable dudes that work at newspapers (maybe he based his opinion off me?) Blah blah blah.
Well after catching the debut of Iron Man on the silver screen this weekend, I have to digress with my lisped warrior friend's argument on uniqueness of super characters. I'm more stricken by Iron Man.
(do a reader's u-turn here if you haven't seen the movie yet, spoilers may await ahead)
Like Batman from the DC Comic universe, Iron Man has no super powers. He is really just a man, who uses his buckets of wealth to finance expensive gadgets and inventions to combat the bad guys. Sure, he has a fusion thing embedded in his chest to keep him alive, but that's a weakness, not a power. If anything, his superpower is a deep debit account.
But unlike Batman, Iron Man is super in every way. Batman wields fear and mystery, while Iron Man rockets around with indestructible armor, weapons of mass destruction, strength and some of the most uncanny dry humor this side of Bill Murray. But the argument here is that most superheros walk the earth as two different people: Their hero crime fighting self, and their daily alter ego (who, in many cases works for a newspaper). For instance, Peter Parker does not want anyone to know he is Spiderman. He, of course, likes the attention, but doesn't want that vulnerability of being known by his enemies. So he hides his heroism away from his life as Peter. Plus his livelihood at the Daily Bugle hinges on NOT being Spiderman. He has much to hide from and be careful of, as all superheros do. So they live quietly and loudly, at the same time.
Iron Man, however, is Iron Man. He is loud and always loud. Tony Stark is the most obvious of all daily alter egos. His fusion chest thingy is no hidden secret, clear as daylight. And he doesn't think, talk, or do anything differently when in his armor.
After he saw the black and white of what he's brought to the world as a weapon's designer, he decided to fix what he's wronged. It's not as much about combating evil as it is clearing his conscience and defeating his own naivety. He has no division of personality, which is probably why Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark has the most personality of any character you'll see in a hero movie this year. It's full thrustered Iron Man, all the time, whether he's wearing his suit or not. The ending of the movie, than, could not be more appropriate. Finally! A superhero super enough to tell everyone who he is. To be publicly proud enough to let everyone in on the big secret. To take credit for saving the day. If any super hero can get away with that, it's Stark, the man who is still just a man.
To peace!
Oh and did you stay through the credits? You should be 'fury-ous' if you didn't. It looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship, if you know what I mean. One that we are supposed to see much more of come 2011.
Labels: Iron Man, Kill Bill, Marvel, Robert Downey Jr, superheroes, Tony Stark
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