I find myself vacillating between loving Robert Downey, Jr. and his too-cool-for-school screen persona -- especially as Tony Stark in the MCU -- and hating it. But I have to say here, in the original UR-MCU film (well, quasi-UR) it works.
I say this because either the older films involve more character development, or the "first" film in each Hero's "cycle" does, Tony is really main event here. We know Downey, Jr, can act, but can he fly? Heck, yes he can, with an improbable assemblage of impossible tech that will never be invented. But, as Coleridge would say, so long as we have the "willing suspension of disbelief" who cares.
Ironman is just good, clean fun. Basic plot is, Herr Stark gets captured by vaguely Middle Eastern baddies in a hubristic ride-along with troops and has to build said improbable tech (Beta Version) to, literally, kick butt and fly away to safety. That is really the main plot element, the rest is the classic Superhero origin story, struggling to learn the wonders, and challenges of his newly-acquired superpower(s) while fending off a jealous Bad Guy.
In this case, Bad Guy number one in the Iron Man cycle is played by one of our best actors, Jeff Bridges. Although, I would say he is almost, but not entirely wasted here, as he doesn't get hardly any opportunity to emote the way Downey does. But, this leads me to another of Ironman's virtues, casting. There is an A-list of great actors here, including the wonderful Gwynneth Paltrow who nearly steals the show defining her MCU-constant role as Pepper Potts, and the great Terence Howard as Tony's vague defense department liaison (what?). On and off through the many films, and billions in revenue that the MCU has generated, casting has many times been a strong suit, and perhaps that was established here.
Great SFX and a breezy story line -- Ironman clocks in at just over two hours, which is a real accomplishment in the MCU -- aside, Downey's excellent portrayal is really Ironman's guilty pleasure. He manages cocky arrogance in the First Reel, somewhat humbled pathos in the second, and growing confidence combined with true struggle in the third, as he tries, fails and tries again to develop the tech that is his "superpower".
Great stuff, and a milestone that the MCU should return if and when it inevitably looses its way. Oops, too late.
