Even the hero could only take so much...he developed paranoia, PTSD, anxiety, pushed this loved ones away.
The villain began with the best intentions, but mistakes and compromises...the ends justify the means mentality warped his character and personality.
I read about Von Braun in James Michener's book Space, designing a building V series rockets for the Nazis, but his goal was space.
Mengele is another real life example.
The plot point of working behind the scenes...playing on peoples expectations to mask totally unrelated events...I thought that was brilliant.
The explosions were random side effects of the process, but by giving them a terroristic explanation, the storyline written to fit the facts of the accidental explosion...all investigation and resources were redirected to the fictional Mandarin.
Over and over again using misdirection, "we'll use this oil barge, but it's just a ruse to get what we really want, which is power.
Reminds me of the tactics own politicians use...they really don't care about things, except as tools and levers to get what they really want.
Probably my favorite thing about this movie was Stark had to act without the suit...that he could do it himself, without the technology...without the invulnerability...without the power...I thought that made for a great story.
.....its all what ya like a guess....
