Iron Man is a 2008 superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and master engineer who is captured by terrorists in Afghanistan. Ordered by them to build a missile, Stark instead builds a powered exoskeleton and escapes. He then returns to the United States where he improves his armor and becomes the technologically advanced superhero, Iron Man. Gwyneth Paltrow plays his personal assistant Pepper Potts, Terrence Howard plays jet pilot James Rhodes and Jeff Bridges plays the villainous Obadiah Stane.
User Review-
Worthy Experience (Spoiler-free)
Let me get it out of the way, first. My favourite super-hero movie is Batman Begins, and a far second is the first Spider-man (2nd was okay, 3rd was mediocre).
For me, the key, the ultimate enjoyment in a super-hero tale isn't the spectacle, the marvel, the powers, nor the villains. No, it's the person behind the mask, behind the glasses, the person him/herself. That's what drives the story and grabs my interest. The superhero aspect is an avenue for the expression of the person's desires, morals and willingness to sacrifice under great difficulty.
Here, Iron Man reaches a height that all over, and I mean each and every superhero movie, watches in envy.
Tony Stark is a multi-layered character. He's an unbelievable genius, a pampered playboy, an extremely likeable character, with great wit and eccentricities, and when things get difficult, yes, Tony Stark has a heart.
Unlike most superheroes, where it's merely a rush in the story to get to the part where the hero puts on the suit, Iron Man slowly undergoes this process. It's not concerned with the usual path. Instead, we concentrate on Tony, as he experiences tough circumstances which leads him to look deeply into himself.
Iron Man isn't about how a good person gets bit and seeks a way to 'save' people, which is the usual staple in superhero movies. Instead, it's about the change in a man's perspectives and thoughts, as he sees the world is not in reality as simplistic as he's convinced himself for years.
Which leads me to the acting, which is by far the strongest part of this movie.
The idea to grab Robert Downey Jnr. for this was an amazing stroke of ingenuity. He takes the character completely, and there's no actor who can give witty, quick-thinking dialogue like Downey. I've always, always admired him (thought he was brilliant in Wonder Boys) every time I've seen him, and I was frankly intrigued at them getting Downey as a superhero protagonist. Through Downey's brilliant acting, you understand Tony, and everything he says and does is entirely believeable.
Paltrow was another eye-brow raiser, but she also hits this out of the park. She provides a fantastic amount of sweetness to her character, yet she's more than the generic other girl. She displays the unsureness, hurt, desire, confusion remarkably with the slightest movement of her face.
Terrence Howard is a very good actor, and does well here. I do wish there was a bit more shown between Rhodes and Stark, so I could see more of how they interacted or how they got to know one another.
Bridges is a good one, too.
If you like superhero movies, then I wonder why you're reading. Go on, already, watch this movie!
If you always liked some special effects, but didn't like the overblown visual effects with thin dialogue, I suggest you give this movie a chance. It's a superhero movie for people with brains. Chances are great you'll like it.
I came to the theatre wanting to watch this movie as a good starter for the summer season (with the Dark Knight, Incredible Hulk etc...). I was stunned at my experience.
Iron Man is the best superhero movie I've ever seen. Yes, it's better than Spider-man 1. Yes, shockingly, it's better than Batman Begins. It is a superhero movie tailored to my love of knowing who is under the mask and what makes them tick. Downey is wonderful, simply wonderful.
I can't wait to see the next one. Hurry up Favreau!
Aside, I must say I knew absolutely nothing about Iron Man prior to watching this movie (I was raised more in the mythologies of Superman, Spider-man and Batman). I wonder how this movie rates to Iron Man fans and fanatics. I suspect they'll like it (and they'll watch this movie without reading reviews, too), but I am curious.
Go on. Watch this movie if you like your taste of blockbusters. What was supposed to be a starter for the summer movie season might very well be the best of what the summer (and many years) could offer. The Dark Knight has alot to do if it wants to be my best superhero movie.
User Review-
Worthy Experience (Spoiler-free)
Let me get it out of the way, first. My favourite super-hero movie is Batman Begins, and a far second is the first Spider-man (2nd was okay, 3rd was mediocre).
For me, the key, the ultimate enjoyment in a super-hero tale isn't the spectacle, the marvel, the powers, nor the villains. No, it's the person behind the mask, behind the glasses, the person him/herself. That's what drives the story and grabs my interest. The superhero aspect is an avenue for the expression of the person's desires, morals and willingness to sacrifice under great difficulty.
Here, Iron Man reaches a height that all over, and I mean each and every superhero movie, watches in envy.
Tony Stark is a multi-layered character. He's an unbelievable genius, a pampered playboy, an extremely likeable character, with great wit and eccentricities, and when things get difficult, yes, Tony Stark has a heart.
Unlike most superheroes, where it's merely a rush in the story to get to the part where the hero puts on the suit, Iron Man slowly undergoes this process. It's not concerned with the usual path. Instead, we concentrate on Tony, as he experiences tough circumstances which leads him to look deeply into himself.
Iron Man isn't about how a good person gets bit and seeks a way to 'save' people, which is the usual staple in superhero movies. Instead, it's about the change in a man's perspectives and thoughts, as he sees the world is not in reality as simplistic as he's convinced himself for years.
Which leads me to the acting, which is by far the strongest part of this movie.
The idea to grab Robert Downey Jnr. for this was an amazing stroke of ingenuity. He takes the character completely, and there's no actor who can give witty, quick-thinking dialogue like Downey. I've always, always admired him (thought he was brilliant in Wonder Boys) every time I've seen him, and I was frankly intrigued at them getting Downey as a superhero protagonist. Through Downey's brilliant acting, you understand Tony, and everything he says and does is entirely believeable.
Paltrow was another eye-brow raiser, but she also hits this out of the park. She provides a fantastic amount of sweetness to her character, yet she's more than the generic other girl. She displays the unsureness, hurt, desire, confusion remarkably with the slightest movement of her face.
Terrence Howard is a very good actor, and does well here. I do wish there was a bit more shown between Rhodes and Stark, so I could see more of how they interacted or how they got to know one another.
Bridges is a good one, too.
If you like superhero movies, then I wonder why you're reading. Go on, already, watch this movie!
If you always liked some special effects, but didn't like the overblown visual effects with thin dialogue, I suggest you give this movie a chance. It's a superhero movie for people with brains. Chances are great you'll like it.
I came to the theatre wanting to watch this movie as a good starter for the summer season (with the Dark Knight, Incredible Hulk etc...). I was stunned at my experience.
Iron Man is the best superhero movie I've ever seen. Yes, it's better than Spider-man 1. Yes, shockingly, it's better than Batman Begins. It is a superhero movie tailored to my love of knowing who is under the mask and what makes them tick. Downey is wonderful, simply wonderful.
I can't wait to see the next one. Hurry up Favreau!
Aside, I must say I knew absolutely nothing about Iron Man prior to watching this movie (I was raised more in the mythologies of Superman, Spider-man and Batman). I wonder how this movie rates to Iron Man fans and fanatics. I suspect they'll like it (and they'll watch this movie without reading reviews, too), but I am curious.
Go on. Watch this movie if you like your taste of blockbusters. What was supposed to be a starter for the summer movie season might very well be the best of what the summer (and many years) could offer. The Dark Knight has alot to do if it wants to be my best superhero movie.
