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“IRON MAN”: The Other Dark Knight


BEWARE OF POSSIBLE SPOILERS! On May 2, 2008 Marvel will unleash its’ latest comic hero film; Iron Man! Created in 1963, making his first appearance in “Tales of Suspense” #39, and joining the growing Marvel Universe. Like many in the Marvel pantheon Tony Stark is a man with out super-powers, loads of personal demons, and extraordinary circumstances that propel him in to the role of hero.

What helps make Tony Stark/Iron Man a great movie-ready character and a compelling read, is that he’s such a jerk. Unlike nerdy everyman Peter Parker (Spider-Man) or super-soldier sentry Steve Rogers (Captain America) nobody likes Tony Stark.
A brilliant, millionaire-industrialist playboy, Stark is the Howard Hughes of his generation, you know the type; men want to be him, women want to be with him. But he’s arrogant, self-centered, womanizing and (soon to be) an alcoholic, and wouldn’t it be great to see this jerk fall flat on his face?
But we’re a nation that cheers on those that repent and forgive those that seek redemption (Lindsay Lohan anyone?). When Tony Stark is taken down by a life threatening injury and must build his exo-skeleton suit of armor to keep himself alive and eventually defeats the warlord that imprisons him and goes on to establish one of the greatest super-hero teams ever; The Mighty Avengers, we rejoice!

In the title of this blog entry I mentioned the Dark Knight. And I’m sure you’re wondering why, right? This summer we will see that other Dark Knight, you know, that guy from over in Gotham? (“The Dark Knight” opens on July 18, 2008.) And I thought it was worth mentioning some of the similarities between Batman and Iron Man…
Bruce Wayne/Batman is a millionaire playboy industrialist who inherits his parent’s money and business when they are murdered. Tony Stark/Iron Man is a millionaire playboy industrialist who inherits his parent’s money and business when they are killed in a car accident.
Bruce Wayne uses his money and business holdings to build a costume to conceal his identity and create crime-fighting gadgets to wage his war on the underworld. Tony Stark uses his money and business holdings to build a costume to conceal his identity and create crime-fighting gadgets to wage his war on the underworld.
Batman joins forces with his fellow DC Universe heroes to form a new super-team: Justice League of America. Iron Man joins forces with his fellow Marvel Universe heroes to form a new super-team: The Avengers.
Batman’s closet friend, moral conscious and embodiment of truth, justice and the America way is Superman. Iron Man’s closet friend, moral compass and embodiment of truth, justice and the American way is Captain America.

“Iron Man” stars (genius casting alert) Robert Downy, Jr., who is no stranger to the paparazzi-chased, red-carpeted life, drug and alcohol abuse, and then redemption; so who better to play Tony Stark right? The film is directed by John Favreau (Swingers, Elf) who had a supporting role in 2003’s “Daredevil”.
The cast also features the ridiculously talented (and good looking) Terence Howard (Jim Rhodes), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts) and Jeff Bridges (Obadiah Stane). SPOILER/Spin-off alert: Terence Howard’s character dons his own armor in print as War Machine.
My friend over at LAFILMCUTTER.COM is high on this film and now I’m jumpin’ on the bandwagon too!

Here are some links to all things Iron:
Ironmanmovie.com
Marvel.com

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