For the purposes of this blog, a “drone” can either be a continuous sound or a machine controlled by a separate person.
When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) sits before the “Senate Arms Services Committee”, he is expected to act like a mindless drone and give over the “Iron Man weapon”. However, he rejects their request and does not choose to “turn over [himself]…to servitude or prostitution”. He solidifies himself as an independent and creative thinker as opposed to a thoughtless drone/puppet.
The great thing about SHIELD in this film is they do not try to make Stark conform. They have parameters, but (for Stark at least) those regulations seem pretty broad. SHIELD does not limit him in the same way the government wants to.
When using drone as a verb, we have to discuss Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell). He tries to make his point and presence known by talking on and on about himself and his company at the Monaco Grand Prix. He tries to claim that he “love[s] Tony Stark”, but he’s putting up a front. Even the reporter gets bored with Hammer.
When Hammer hires Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), he expects the Russian inventor to give in to whatever he wants. However, Vanko has other intentions. He is not looking for weapons development (what Hammer wants); he wants to destroy Tony Stark. Vanko wants his own success, not to be a simple drone for weapons manufacturing.
Conveniently enough, Vanko makes actual drones. He takes the suits Hammer and his scientists made and turns them into robotic drones he can control independently. “Drone better” for Ivan Vanko, not necessarily for Hammer.
Lieutenant Colonel Rhodes (Don Cheadle) acts like a drone in many situations. When he is before Stark’s hearing in the beginning, he agrees to whatever the committee asks of him. While he tries to make his voice heard, he still adheres to whatever his superiors want, even when he disagrees with the instruction.
He also responds to “an order”, after he steals the suit, instead of voicing his opinions and concerns. He would rather go with what someone else wants than face conflict by giving an alternative opinion.
In the end, he literally becomes Vanko’s drone. Vanko controls the Iron Man suit, even though Rhodes is inside the armor. The only reason Rhodes gets back control is because a woman breaks in and gives access back to him.
The drones produced by Vanko know nothing else besides to destroy Stark. They cannot stop, even for children or civilians. They power-on no matter what.
Also, how many extras in this film act as drones? How many people respond and react based solely on what someone else said? Think about it…
In conclusion, drones are not exactly preferable. They will do whatever you say no matter what. However, how many times do you need that type of dedication? Leave me a comment below!
Compare this film to Atlas Shrugged!
Not to criticize too much, but there are many questions left unanswered in this film.
Thanks for reading! Please leave any movie requests or comment below! See you next week!