Review of IRON MAN

IRON MAN - STORY: A genius inventor, head of a weapons manufacturing company, discovered his weapons are falling into the wrong hands. He begins to switch the direction of his company away from weapons, but must first build a weapon that destroys the person behind the weapons falling into the wrong hands.
IRON MAN - MESSAGE: Use your talents for constructive, not destructive things. Decide friend from foe, and act accordingly towards them. Do the right thing. Be proud of your accomplishments. Utilize the help of your friends. Competence, honesty, diligence, attention to detail, resourcefulness, failure to admit defeat, an aesthetic sense, ability to possess wealth, genius, courage and high necessity level win the day.
IRON MAN - WIN: The positive aspects of the hero seemed consistent with his high level of ability. The fact he persisted with tweaking machine designs (despite physical injury) was one of the positive traits. Another good thing was that he didn't wish to harm innocent people with his weapons, but it didn't go into why not (which is a hint at his spiritual beliefs without really stating it.) The film showed that someone better organized, and people acting as a team, can win over an opponent who has bigger weapons.
IRON MAN - LOSE: The film promoted that promiscuity was a trait of the hero, which is inconsistent with someone of high ability. In other words, a womanizer would know his mistreatment of women was wrong and would limit his own power. Even the reporter he had a one-night-stand with didn't fault him for it, having her own acceptance of promiscuity. The film promoted alcohol use at a party -- even the loyal, sweet, pure assistant sought to drink alcohol, which positions alcohol as cool, rather than an addicting drug used to drown pain. (Although she did turn to alcohol when somewhat emotionally rebuffed.)
IRON MAN - EFFECT ON ME: It made me value my own talents and made me want to help my own talents grow. It reaffirmed my belief that Mankind is possessed of more ability than we've tapped into, for if one individual can be a genius and heroic, then we are not, as a species, "merely a higher form of animal." I also felt more self confident, perhaps because the movie validated a lot of the positive values I respect in myself and others, and because it showed that one man can make a difference by the choices he makes.
Note: There is a short scene at the very, very end of the credits.
Additional note: I saw this movie at the new Pacific Theatres in the Americana outdoor shopping mall in Glendale. The mall is very aesthetic and fun. The theatres are clean and new, mostly like other modern theatres. One feature I liked was that there were a couple of single person restrooms near that end of the 18 theatres so one could run out and run back in and not lose a lot of movie time walking a long way to a restroom.
Sincerely,
Becky Mate
Script Consultant
www.virtueinthearts.com