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You have to give it to Marvel Comics. While
DC refuses to allow certain freedoms to separate properties of their
characters for fear of “confusing fans” and undermining our
intelligence, Marvel Comics openly allows their characters to be
portrayed in different mediums. Even with a big budget film adaptation
in the works, with Robert Downey Jr. starring, and John Favreau
directing, they still allow this animated adaptation to be released to
fans. Because, we can tell the difference. We just can. We’re not as
dumb as WB and DC perceives us to be. One of the better improvements
upon the Iron man animated film is that it bears no real connection to
the previous “Ultimate Avengers” series of films. Meanwhile, the story
of Tony Stark and Rhodey is played with a level of espionage and
suspense of your typical spy film, shying away from any sort of camp.
Here Stark is hardly ever referred to as Iron Man, and the character is
more of a presence, and less a superhero. He’s a tool Stark uses to
fight off the elementals and save the world, and not a character he
masquerades as to fight crime. He switches suits constantly, but the
theme is prevalent. We’re already aware of what the writers are going
for. Sadly, War Machine is not featured, but Rhodey is used to a great
effect as a sidekick with a better use to the overall plot. The plot is
more mature than you’d expect, and there’s also a pretty surprising plot
twist in the climax leading up to a killer fight between Iron Man and a
giant dragon that was played well. All the while, we get to witness some
rather exciting fight sequences, paired with on par computer and hand
drawn animation that mixes to create a beautiful and sleek film that’s
more for the teens and less for the kids.
I really wanted to love this. I sat for
months waiting for the release, and when I was finally able to grab a
hold, I sat watching with sheer disappointment. It says something when
the cartoon series from the nineties grabbed me more than this does. For
all intents and purposes, “The Invincible Iron Man,” is a great start
with a very disappointing delivery. This is Iron Man, one of the lamer
characters in the Marvel canon. Show me that he can be a great
character. Don’t bore me. I was bored from beginning to the end. From
Stark being imprisoned, his building of a cheap Iron Man suit to escape,
right down to the fight with the dragon, nothing in here screams life,
or excitement, and drags along unnecessarily. In exchange for a more
mature tone, the writers drain away all the life and excitement capable
within the story, and everything is simply bland. Meanwhile, every
single plot hole is confronted without much of a reason for us to leave
our logic at the door. Where the hell did they get the equipment to
build machines, and heart devices? Why did the prison allow this to
happen? How did Tony build a large suit without their notice?
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How could Tony be strapped to a heart
machine and in a coma without any medicine? How could Tony
keep the heart machine to his chest without pain or
discomfort? All of this and more occurs with villains that
are not only cardboard, but extremely interchangeable. The
elementals Tony faces are silent props that are there to
battle him without any personality, and when they die,
there’s no sense of accomplishment. |
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Once Fin Fang Foom arrives, he’s quickly
disposed of, and worst of all is the crushing anti-climactic ending.
There’s build-up and build-up and mounting tension all for nothing more
than a fifteen second one sided battle with the dreaded Mandarin. He
appears in spirit, thrashes Tony, and our love interest stops him before
we can even settle in for the fight. If that isn’t bad enough, Stark
just isn’t a likable or sympathetic character. Sure he’s basically
what’s depicted in the comics, but he has no charisma that keeps us
rooting for him. Whether or not it was the script’s fault, just doesn’t
matter. Marc Worden’s voice acting contributes to this problem, leaving
much to be desired, sounding about as bored as we do. I wanted to enjoy
this, but I was just crushed.
Marvel dropped the ball yet again on what is basically a rushed and
botched, lackluster adaptation. "The Invincible Iron Man" is a boring,
disappointing, forgettable affair with plot holes, and lapses in logic
not even the most complacent viewer will ignore. Here's hoping the movie
is better.
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