Iron Man Dialogue Analysis

1. How frequently is dialogue used? Is the dialogue always distinct? Does it sometimes overlap? If it does, with what consequences?
• In the movie Iron Man, dialogue is often used and for the most part very distinctive. Tony Stark often partakes in dialogue with Yinsen, his fellow prison mate when he was taken hostage at the beginning of the film. Also, Stark is often in dialogue with Pepper, his assistant and love interest, his friend Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes, and his business partner and later arch foe, Obadiah Stane.
• For the most part dialogue does not overlap in this film however, there are a few scenes that is does. For example, when Stark and Rhodes are flying to a missile demonstration on Stark’s private jet, they become very intoxicated and begin to speak over one another. It makes it hard to understand their conversation but it also very humorous because it is a realistic moment. In reality, intoxicated individuals often yell over each other’s voices and slur their words. Another example of overlapping dialogue is when Stark is virtually drowned as means of torture to force him to make his captors, a well-known terrorist group, a missile. As Stark

gasps for breath and begs them to stop, his words over lap with the terrorists voices yelling at him to give in. The consequence of this is the creation of fear, suspension and confusion.
2. Where is the volume of the dialogue raised or lowered for effect?
• Dialogue is often lowered and raised for effect in this film. For example, the dialogue is heavily raised when Stark and Rhodes are drunk on his plane, to express the notion that they are drunk because drunken people often yell. Moreover, Yinsen’s voice is significantly lowered in his last moments of life, and was symbolic of life leaving his body. Ultimately creating an emotional moment in the film. Furthermore, dialogue is raised when the terrorist fight the newly armored Stark. Their battle cries are very loud as they attempt to shoot Stark in his impenetrable suit. However, the terrorist dialogue is also lowered when they realize they cannot beat Stark’s firepower so they run out of the tunnel. Their screams and yells were once loud but as they neared the tunnel, their voices were lowered, ultimately to match what was occurring on screen. These men were quickly moving away from Stark so naturally it would be harder to hear them which each step they took.
3. Does the film use narration? If so, what functions does the narration serve?
• The film uses narration in one specific instance before Stark’s award presentation. It serves as the function to introduce who Tony is, he genius and what he has accomplished in the field of technology and weaponry. This instance provides a great means of introduction into the film because up until that point the viewer only had a shallow understanding of who Tony Star is.
4. Were any of the sound effects particularly important? If so, explain.
• The sound effects associated with the Iron Man suit are particularly important because the effectiveness of the film is reliant upon the audience believing in the effectiveness of the suit. Thus, the sound effects that mirrored the suits actions and also surpassed what the audience physical saw the suit do were crucial. Moreover, I also believe the sound effects associated with the explosion that ultimately led to Stark’s captured are important as well because they lay presence for the storyline and everything that is to come in the movie. Also, the sounds effects of all Stark’s robots and the computerized voice of Jarvis are particularly important as well. They speak to the film’s credibility because their sounds reaffirm Stark’s genius and ability to create the extraordinary. Moreover, they speak to Stark’s dependency on his tech, without their assistance he could not be an effective Iron Man. Moreover, the sound effect of a slow beating heart and eerie drum as Stark struggles to get down to his lab to retrieve his old electromagnet for his slowly fading heart. This moment was one of the most suspenseful scenes in the entire film because the audience is emotionally and mentally invested at this point and is subconsciously praying that Stark makes it in time. The loud yet muffled slowing heart beat sound effect made this possible. Lastly, the explosion that kills Stane is a very important part of the film. The loud booms and sky breaking sounds add to the final scene of suspense and bring closure to the film.
5. Where is music used? For what purposes? Is the music always subordinated to the rest of the film, or is it sometimes dominant? Is the music is ever intrusive, explain where and with what consequences.
• Music is used throughout the film particularly rock, and orchestra infused sounds. Rock music is played in opening scene when a military convoy brings Tony Stark into the battle zone. As he nonchalantly talks to the soldiers, this is the first glimpse of Stark the audience gets. He is decked out in the finest clothes and has an air of impenetrable confidence. The song mirrors his rock star arrogant mentality. A rock music choice is used in numerous scenes of this film such as when Tony’s is working on his motorcycle, when he first makes his modern version of his suit and when he drives his convertible Audi and rides in his private jet. In all of these scenes, the music choice adds to Tony’s character: overly confidant and a “bad boy” mentality. Symphony like music is also used throughout the film especially during suspenseful scenes such as the fight scene or when Tony’s first uses his suit and we experience with Tony his seemingly limitless capabilities and the amazing view of the city he has in the air. The symphony is more dominant during action packed suspenseful scenes and is softer during emotional scenes such as Tony’s near death experience. The music is predominantly subordinate to the rest of film however there are moments of dominance such as the Rock n Roll number played when Tony is working on his motorcycle and also at the end of the film. The music is intrusive during the intoxicated drunk scene, the very loud club like songs make it hard to understand the dialogue between Stark and Rhodes. Moreover, the loud Rock music is intrusive when Pepper attempts to talk to Stark in his lab. The consequence is the mutual feeling of frustration Ms. Potts feels, she wants Tony to turn his music down so she can talk to him and the audience desires the same. The music is also intrusive in the casino, it is extremely loud and you cannot understand the dialogue between Stark and Rhodes at all.
6. Is the music a part of the story itself, or is it played as complementary to the story (viewers hear the music, but the characters cannot)? Where does the music suggest a particular place or time or both? Where is music used to suggest what a character is feeling?
• For the most part, music is played complementary to the story although there are instances where the music is part of the story itself, particular the scenes with rock music, which is often played when Stark is in his lab. Moreover, music suggests a place of danger and of the unknown when Stark is capture. It is somewhat scary orchestra music. The strong intense Rock N Roll music after Tony announces he is Iron Man suggests a time, the time that the movie has ended. Furthermore, the soft romantic orchestra music that plays when Spark and Pepper have an intimate moment on the balcony, suggests the feelings they are developing for one another.
7. Is silence ever used in the film? If so, where and with what consequences? Where is sound used between scenes to create a certain effect? What effect is created or supported?
• Silence is briefly used once in this film for a matter of seconds.

It used before Tony decides not to read his cover story cards during his press release. He has to choose to read the cover story or admit to the world he is Iron Man. The scene goes silence for approximately two seconds and then Tony smirks and admits he is Iron Man. Immediately thereafter the Rock N Roll theme song “I Am Iron Man” loudly plays as Tony walks off the stage and dozen reporters yell dozens of questions. Moreover, sound is used between scenes to create fear and suspense when Piper is retrieving hidden files from Stark’s old office at his request. Suddenly. Stane walks in. Pepper is startled and instantly a loud scary orchestra sound alarms. This created a great deal of suspense and now the audience fears for Pepper’s

life.
8. Where is sound distorted? What does the distortion contribute?
• Sound is distorted during explosion when Tony is injured; the sound is significantly decreased and elongated to show the piercing effect of the explosion on Stark. The sound resembled a gloomy tunnel like noise. This distortion of sound contributes to the pictorial representation of the scene. Tony is loosing consciousness and is severely bleeding from his heart, which creates a fantastic scene of suspense. Sound continues to be distorted during the next scene when Tony is taken hostage with the same eerie tunnel orchestra distorted noises adding to genuine fear to the moment. This can also be seen when Tony awakens after Yinsen saves his life and the terrorists walk into their cell and demand that Stark build a missile. Immediately an orchestra or an electric guitar is played and the sound is definitely distorted. It almost resembles a violin playing the wrong key or broken strings, creating suspense and fear for Tony’s life, as he refuses to build them a missile. Also, Stane’s voice is heavily distorted in his evil Iron Man suit to add to his terrorizing nature.
9. Is sound ever used from a source off-screen? If so, explain its use.
• Sound is captured from a source off-screen numerous times throughout this film in order to create greater suspense and captivation. For example, when Tony is captured and the audience hears screams, we don’t know where it came from but it suddenly Tony wakes up and the audience is in fear for Tony’s life. Another example is when the audience hears the voices of the men who captured Tony’s coming towards the door before they open it and before they even appear on the screen. This is also another example of suspense. Furthermore, another example of captivation of is when Stark is building his first suit. The audience sees him hammering but we do not see what he is hammering we later see it is the mask to his suit. Yet another great example of suspense and excitement.
10. Is any component of the sound ever at odds with the accompanying image? so, explain.
• I watched this film twice through out the week and did not catch any component of sound being at odds with the presented accompanying images.