Analysis of the film opening of ‘IRON MAN 3’

Mashud Ahmed 12S

Iron Man 3 (2013) is a American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It is the sequel to Iron Man (2008) and Iron Man 2 (2010). Shane Black directed a screenplay he co-wrote with Drew Pearce. Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his role as the title character, with Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle reprising their roles as Pepper Potts and James Rhodes. Jon Favreau, who directed the first two films, serves as an executive producer and reprises his role as Happy Hogan.

IRON MAN THREE

This mid-shot of Iron Man is more in focus of him than the background telling the audience that he is the main character and the film revolves around the actions of this superhero.

This mid-shot of Iron Man presents him as a mean fighting machine with his intimidating stance and the explosion in the background, this is a action genre signifier and attracts a certain target audience.

This mid-long shot of the character is from a slightly low angle which makes this character look dominant and in control, the fashion and style that this character is represented in makes the audience believe that he is the villain which is another action genre signifier.

Cinematography

In the opening of Iron Man 3 there is fast paced editing of montages and jump-shots. These help attract different audiences as the fast paced editing usually portrays action plus the images/scenes presented are from action scenes.

This set of images presents the main characters lifestyle, personality and standards to the audience. As he is driving a supercar he is presented as rich and powerful. Audi have used the trilogy of Iron Man to advertise their car through iconography and attract customers.

Cinematography continued

There are many theories that can be applicable to Iron Man 3

Tzvetan Todorov’s theory of equilibrium. Equilibrium gets disrupted setting in motion a series of other events which eventually restores order so there is equilibrium again.

Vladimir Propp’s theory of character types; villain, hero, donor, helper, princess, her father, dispatcher and false hero. (not all character types may be present in this film alone but throughout the trilogy all the character types are represented)

Claude Levi-Strauss’ theory of binary opposition, hero vs villain/good vs bad/protagonist vs antagonist.

Roland Barthes’ theory of the enigma code, any element of the story that is not fully explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. The action code, any other action or event that indicates that something else is going to happen.

Narrative theory

The equilibrium gets disrupted when the main character gets attacked by an unknown enemy, this is also binary opposition (good vs evil). The opening does not reveal the full scene leaving a mystery to the reader and creating an enigma code as the reader would want to solve that mystery. There is also the action code where after seeing this scene or event the reader will expect a reply or action scene cause by the main character.

Narrative theory continued

This scene creates the enigma code as the reader will wonder as to why the helper/princess is in the iron man suit, there is also the question viewing the relationship between the two characters.

Character expositionFrom the opening we can tell that this character has a serious personality, he is hardworking and gets the job done. He seems to be quite powerful in status and he has a suit which makes the audience assume that he is a good person.

The main character, from the opening we can tell that this superhero is like no other. He does not hide his identity, he’s powerful in status and he enjoys the violent acts he gets involved in. He has a personality making him seem somewhat of a player who loves women.

From the opening we can tell that this character seems to have a good relationship with the main character therefore we assume her to be a good person. She seems to have a serious personality but also seems to have a flirty side too.

From the opening this character is presented as slightly innocent whilst also presented as evil, the opening does not present much about this character creating an enigma code for the readers.

From the opening this character seems evil as she is presented with red eyes, messy hair etc. The opening shows her crazy personality as it seems like she enjoys being violent.

Character exposition continued

The setting is presented in an urban area, the main character is presented as being rich therefore the property he owns establishes the setting.

The main action scenes are either at his house, in the sky or in vast wastelands.

Setting