Marvel’s “Captain America” movies are the most well-made out of all the efforts in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Star Chris Evans has been able to make people forget he was ever Johnny Storm in the original “Fantastic Four” films. And this is the 75th Anniversary of the Marvel Comics debut of The Star Spangled Man with a Plan.
But, as the Summer Movie Season is set to kick-off this Thurs. night, with “Captain America: Civil War” showings at 7pm, I’m declaring myself a proud member of #TeamIronMan.
Of course, neither Cap nor Tony Stark are going to die at the end of “Civil War”. They’re both coming back for future “Avengers” films, and it’s just been announced that Robert Downey, Jr. will co-star with young Tom Holland in next year’s “Spider-Man: Homecoming” reboot. But – since I feel obligated to pick a side – I’M going with IM. And here’s why:
2008’s “Iron Man” began the Marvel movie phenomenon. Without Downey, Jr. receiving the overwhelming praise he got from both critics and audiences for that initial performance as Stark, we very likely wouldn’t have gotten “Guardians of the Galaxy”, “The Avengers” or “Captain America”, as directors and studios would have been very worried about bringing more decades-old comic book series to the screen.
“Iron Man” reinvigorated the concept of a Summer blockbuster and set the trend of the season now beginning on the first weekend in May. The “Iron Man” trilogy is one of the most successful in film history, and consistent in that all three are are quality movies. I have a difficult time picking a best out of the group as they’re all satisfying.
Aside from Rocket Raccoon, Tony Stark is the most entertaining Marvel superhero of all-time. And, let’s be honest, Cap himself is pretty stiff.
Forbes listed RDJ as the highest-paid actor in 2015, earning $80 million. The guy has pulled-off an incredible career comeback.
Iron Man and RDJ have actually proven me wrong. This is what I wrote in my “Avengers: Age of Ultron” review a year ago: “You can tell, just as his Tony Stark is getting weary of having to save the world, Downey, Jr. is starting to get tired of playing this role.
His signature, sarcastic one-liners are beginning to wear thin. And considering how “Age of Ultron” ends, don’t be surprised if his screen time decreases for future “Avengers” installments.”
Instead, RDJ is a back with a vengence in “Civil War” and has publicly referred to it as, “My little ‘Iron Man 4’.” His paycheck this time around: a reported $40 million. And, in addition to playing Stark AGAIN in “Spider-Man”, it looks like a “big” “IM4” could be in the future: after initially stating “I don’t think [an “Iron Man 4”] is in the cards, Downey. Jr. recently said, “I feel like I could do one more”, which will only add to his status as the best action movie actor on the planet.
#TeamIronMan Rules!