Iron Man: Characters

 This close up shot shows the first character we are introduced to. His costume is based on a camouflaged military uniform and around his chest is a padded waistcoat. Furthermore, the man is wearing a hard helmet also covered in the same grey, camouflaged military uniform. From this we instantly establish he is a soldier. The uniform acts as an icon of strength, power and practicality which are all masculine traits. It also fortifies his aptitude and and resolve in combat and warfare as well as for the protection of others. Therefore this shot helps to show that the man is subscribing to the male archetype and that the ideologies that the audience can read from include the safe perception of soldiers whose jobs are to protect people from danger. The costume is also modern and yet secure and practically equipped also establishing that the soldiers are those belonging to a regiment in a wealthy country (America, as depicted by the accents).

Likewise in this close up shot, we also see another soldier. However this time we can see eye protection strapped to the helmet. This further establishes that the soldiers are strong, practical, powerful and ready for combat.





One of the most striking characters to be introduced to is Tony Stark. In this close up shot of Stark we immediately notice that he's wearing a suit. Suits are an icon of power and importance. The fact that he is the only person wearing a suit signifies his importance because it establishes that he is being protected or guarded by the other soldiers. Stark is also clean shaven and dressed suitably as well as having had make up put on him to appear clean. This shows that there is a reliance on the male archetype since both costume and makeup help to reflect how Stark represents the male archetype. Furthermore, the fact he wears a suit suggests that he is wealthy and powerful , further attributes of the male archetype. Stark is wearing shaded glasses, providing connotations of confidentiality and yet again, power for secrecy. In relation to props, Stark can be seen holding a glass of what looks to be alcohol. This implies his power and importance further but also establishes his wealth and the ease of his character in such a situation as this where he needs to be accompanied by the military (an event assumed to be stressful).

The final character we are introduced to is a female soldier. From the middle close up shot we can see that she wears the same attire as the 2 other soldiers introduced in the shot. What's unusual is the fact that she's involved in a physical and masculine role which would have archetypally been a male's job. What's more the woman is the only person driving the vehicle. Typically, the role at which she is playing doesn't reflect the feminine archetype to which she is subverting. Instead, the role would have been projected for a man to complete. Additionally, this shot captures the woman at the front of the shot taking the larger proportion of the shot when compared to Stark in the back. This establishes that she is as powerful and if not, even stronger than Stark and that the movie is set in the modern day because an equality between gender is entrenched.