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? 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. 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.