Iron Man (2008) review: How does it impact Infinity War?

Credit: Paramount Pictures/Marvel Studios; from Iron Man (2008)

What didn’t work?

You want to know the reason many of the actors ad-libbed their lines? Because even after filming began, the script wasn’t finished. In re-watching the film, there are definite moments where you can tell it needed some serious polishing. The movie drags right around its second act until Tony dons the Mark III armor. The climax of the film also feels uninspired, with elements you’ve no doubt seen in several other sci-fi, action movies before.

The script also has a few contrived coincidences and noticeable plot holes. Case in point, when the Ten Rings terrorist organization capture Tony, they order him to build his experimental Jericho missile system for them. Of course, Tony builds his first suit of armor instead. Yet later in the film, we see the Ten Rings already have a Jericho, courtesy of their deal with Obadiah Stane’s (Jeff Bridges). Why then even bother forcing Tony to build one if that’s the case?

It doesn’t help either that as a villain, Obadiah Stane isn’t compelling or even consistent. Sure, Jeff Bridges is a terrific actor, and has one of the best villainous outbursts of all time, but the character is still a mess. After all, why does Obadiah even want to kill Tony? It isn’t because Tony wants to cut Stark Industries’ weapons manufacturing since he also decides this after his escape. If it’s to take control of the company, Obadiah was already running things even with Tony around. All we can assume then is that he’s jealous of Tony for nebulous reasons.

Speaking of performances, one of the downsizes of Robert Downey Jr. having such a commanding screen presence is the other actors seem like footnotes. This is especially the case with Terrence Howard as Stark’s friend and Air Force liaison, Lt. Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes. While he does a decent job, he doesn’t really stand out, either. Maybe it’s just because I’m become accustomed with Don Cheadle as Rhodey in later films, but Howard’s Rhodey feels like a different character. Leslie Bibb as reporter Christine Everhart also has a bit of thankless role.