One of the most enjoyable parts of both “Iron Man” and “Iron Man 2” is the hero at the core of the two films. Played by a charismatic Robert Downey Jr., Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) is both egotistical and immensely likable. Although he has some personal flaws, he is a hero worth believing in. However, in a review of “Iron Man 2,” one Washington Post critic recently denounced Tony Stark comparing him to a well-known criminal: Jack Abramoff.
In the second “Iron Man,” Tony Stark is the same cocky hero that we know from the first film. Towards the beginning of the film, Stark is asked by an elected official to give up his Iron Man suit. Not only does Stark refuse to give it up, he openly cracks jokes with the official and makes him look like a fool. Even when his life is threatened, Stark does not lose his self-assuredness. However, despite his overt cockiness, Stark remains a strong hero that people can relate to. He may be arrogant but he is still a hero who fights against the villains in this movie and he uses his suit for the good of man.
Ann Hornaday, from the Washington Post, does not see it that way, it seems. In a recent review of Iron Man 2, she refers to Stark as a “scoundrel,” focusing on his failings rather than his strong and noble qualities. In that review, she writes that “watching ‘Iron Man 2’ earlier this week, it became soberingly clear that the film protagonist whom Tony Stark most resembles isn’t fictional, but the star of a documentary that also opens Friday.” That documentary is not about a flawed but brilliant genius who strove for world peace. That documentary, entitled “Casino Jack and the United States of Money,” is about Jack Abramoff, the currently-imprisoned corrupt former lobbyist.
Later in the article, Hornaday adds to the comparison one of the villains of “Iron Man 2,” Justin Hammer, who works with a maniacal Russian to create an army of Iron Mans. Hornaday writes, “when you put ‘Iron Man 2’ and ‘Casino Jack’ side by side, you see that Stark, Hammer and Abramoff share the same brand of moral arrogance that creates mayhem out of single-minded, by-any-means-necessary expediency.”
Unlike Stark, though, Abramoff is not well-known for his nobility or his serving the world at large. Abramoff is well-known for his criminal record. A January 4th 2006 article in the Washington Post about Abramoff noted that he “pleaded guilty… to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials in a deal that requires him to provide evidence about members of Congress.” Abramoff is now in prison serving time. Even though he has been in jail for several years, he is still considered a symbol of corruption and greed. Few of those people who look disparagingly on Abramoff would compare him to a superhero trying to do good for this world.
Admittedly, I had issues with “Iron Man 2,” as Hornaday did. I thought the movie was weaker than the first film and that it included too many extraneous subplots. However, I continue to enjoy watching the main character fight against the bad guys and works to promote peace.
He may be cocky and he may be selfish but he is no Jack Abramoff, and Ann Hornaday should have realized that.