06 May 2008

They Don't Write 'em Like That Anymore...
What possible correlation could IRON MAN and PAUL SIMON have that would have them mesh together in any conceivable fashion?
Well, for me...it's "personal".
Paul Simon once penned a song back in the 1960s with a three word title.
It was on their "Bookends" album, and was one of the shortest songs I recall, next to "Her Majesty" by the Beatles (last track-side 2-Abbey Road).
And even though it was all of about 30 seconds long, it speaks volumes as to how we view life, what we remember, and how precious some of those times once were.
Time it was, and what a time it was...
A time of innocence; A time for confidences.
Long ago, it must be...I have a photograph.
Preserve your memories...there all that's left you.
Like I said...speaks volumes.

And that brings me up to NOW.
The new IRON MAN movie grossed over $98 MILLION this past weekend, and over $201 MILLION worldwide. So far. Not too shabby for a superhero movie, hmm? I guess Spiderman might be looking over his shoulder just a wee bit.
Granted not ALL superheroes are cut out for the movies. The Hulk (Eric Bana), although it was a decent flick, lacked much of the real character of the comics. Ang Lee was so worried over that, he laughed all the way to the bank.
Then there were the colossal flops of the Captain America TV movies. One movie was fair, and even brought back a villain from the comics (The Red Skull), but the people weren't ready for it. Nor were they ready for the Spiderman TV series (Nicholas Hammond), which did have pretty good special effects for the time.
Seems only the campy Batman (Adam West) and Wonder Woman had any staying power (Batman at least had a theatrical movie made in 1966). The Incredible Hulk (Bill Bixby) did quite well on TV, as it focused not so much on the creature, but the inner turmoil and complexities of Bixby's character and plight.
The reinvention of the classic superhero movie began in earnest in 1978 with SUPERMAN (Chris Reeve) , but as with much of Hollywood, they went to the well too many times, as (imho) only the first TWO movies were excellent. Supergirl didn't do well either. So, the traditional superheroes were relegated to the shelf, as NEW heroes took their place, such as Indiana Jones and Luke Skywalker. We even managed to reinvent Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers (with mixed results).
In 1980, Micheal Keaton was signed to play BATMAN, and I have to admit I was like "are you kidding me?" I just saw him in Gung-Ho and Mr. Mom. He can't do Bruce Wayne OR Batman. Well, I was proved wonderfully wrong, as his portrayal was so damn convincing. Subsequent attempts to portray the Dark Knight met with lukewarm results (Clooney and Kilmer), until Christian Bane took over in Batman Begins. Again, someone you really wouldn't think would do a great job delivered with a spectacular performance. Bane will return in the movie THE DARK KNIGHT this November.
We all know how well the SPIDERMAN series has gone, with THREE (count 'em 3) blockbusters in a row. Then again, the character has such depth to him with all his problems, that most everyone can relate at some level. The FANTASTIC FOUR did OK, not great, but pretty darn good with both movies. The X-MEN was another series of blockbusters, but again, we had an ensemble cast, and not a solitary figure. I won't even comment on Nicholas Cage as GHOST RIDER (glad he redeemed himself in American Treasure).
So now we come to IRON MAN. One of Marvel's "B" team heroes (when he began in the comics he was the second character in TALES OF SUSPENSE behind Captain America).
And it looks like both Robert Downey Jr. and Marvel hit one out of the park with this one! Yes, there IS talk of an IRON MAN II. As far as the other superhero movies slated to come to the big screen...we'll have to wait and see. Some might work, others maybe not. Depends on who's directing and how much of the original "vision" of the character remains intact. Oh, and having the right person starring is a PLUS.
But with all that history aside, what amazes me is that I remember the times I spent in drug stores waiting for the next issue of the comics these movies are based on.
And what a time THAT was.
I have a dear, departed friend to thank for my reintroduction into the world of the 12 cent fantasy. Having started from scratch again (mom tossed a lot of the oldies away...sound familiar?), I began anew to collect certain characters' comics. I have massed a pretty good selection of first issues as well, with many going back into the mid 1960s (yes, I DID learn something in high school...like where all the good comics were kept and at which drug stores...LOL).
Still, it was harmless fun, it didn't cost all THAT much (compared to today's prices which are nothing short of outlandish), and kept a lot of us occupied, instead of allowing us the opportunity to roam the streets like many seem to do today. We cherished those times when we'd plunk down our lunch money or allowance for those adventures, run home and sit in our room to read how our hero got out of last month's predicament.
A simple pleasure?
Yes.
A guilty pleasure?
Sure, why not?
After all it was a much different time. Gas was cheap (way under a buck a gallon), food was abundant and inexpensive, jobs were plentiful, many boys wanted to be the president, guns were available cheaply (and by mail) but yet we weren't hip-deep in homicides, and all we really had to worry about was nuclear annihilation (duck and cover..yeah, that'll work real good for 10 year olds).
Life was better then.
Isn't it always that way?

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