Iron Man

[Watashi]

http://mytypes.com/pjlighthouse/files/2007/10/iron-man-the-movie-2008-wallpaper-small.jpg (http://www.aintitcool.com/images2007/iron_man1.jpg)

Trailer (http://movies.apple.com/movies/paramount/iron_man/iron_man-tlr1_h640w.mov)

This is going to be one hell of a film.

[DSNT]

Despite the faith I have in Downey, this doesn't look too promising.

[Watashi]

Despite the faith I have in Downey, this doesn't look too promising.

Didn't you dislike Ratatouille?

OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!

[Mal]

I'm excited... but then again, I'm not. Favreau is just not exciting.

[MadMan]

That trailer rocked. Great use of the classic hardcore metal tune Iron Man by Black Sabbath. Yeah this film looks pretty cool.

[DSNT]

Didn't you dislike Ratatouille?

OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!

Heh, I was mixed(+) on Ratty.

[Biff Justice]

Looks like Downey's performance will be the highlight of the film from this trailer. I enjoyed all the scenes with dialogue, but the action scenes looked quite cheesy.

But, it is just a trailer, and here's hoping I'm wrong since I am quite looking forward to this one.

[megladon8]

It's going to be amazing.

The Dark Knight is going to have to be pretty frickin' amazing to beat out this.

[Morris Schæffer]

Some cool moments for sure, but I doubt this I'll have the dark, brooding undertones of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

[ledfloyd]

the fact that nolan is a far more adept director than favreau makes me think dark knight will be better. but downey as iron man just sounds kick ass. i hope i'm wrong.

[megladon8]

Some cool moments for sure, but I doubt this I'll have the dark, brooding undertones of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.


Does it need dark, brooding undertones to be good?

[lovejuice]

Does it need dark, brooding undertones to be good?

my reaction exactly. in fact why on earth you guy compare it to batman? as if we're allowed to see one super hero film per summer.

[Morris Schæffer]

Does it need dark, brooding undertones to be good?

Depends I guess. I just don't want proceedings to become too silly, too breazy, too much about the toys. The best comic book adaptations have some inner shit going on that's worth giving a damn about, some storytelling meat to act as a counterpoint to all the ludicrous set pieces and visual extravagance that these flicks usually sport. I just sense a potential for silliness which, assuming I'm right, shouldn't be a dealbreaker, but will be dissapointing for me. I know very little about the comic and Tony Stark/Iron Man however.

[megladon8]

Depends I guess. I just don't want proceedings to become too silly, too breazy, too much about the toys. The best comic book adaptations have some inner shit going on that's worth giving a damn about, some storytelling meat to act as a counterpoint to all the ludicrous set pieces and visual extravagance that these flicks usually sport. I just sense a potential for silliness which, assuming I'm right, shouldn't be a dealbreaker, but will be dissapointing for me. I know very little about the comic and Tony Stark/Iron Man however.


I see what you're saying, but I don't think "storytelling meat" automatically equals "dark and brooding".

A lot of movies have serious problems when they try to get into the brooding territory - ie, Superman Returns, which I still love, but I do fully admit that it's too "oh woe-is-me, being Superman is so hard".

I'd like if Iron Man manages to have some depth to it - since he is fantastic character, and my favorite in the Marvel universe - but I also want this movie to be fun and funny. It can easily have both.

[Watashi]

New trailer (http://www.worstpreviews.com/trailer.php?id=327&item=4)

Still looks glorious.

[megladon8]

Yeh that's pretty kickass.

God I hope this movie rocks.

[megladon8]

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/2116/hrironmanarmorss3.th.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hrironmanarmorss3 .jpg)



*drool*

[Grouchy]

Whatever the movie ends up being, the lead casting is perfect.

[bac0n]

Whatever the movie ends up being, the lead casting is perfect.

Agreed. I knew that Robert Downy Jr. was the perfect choice for Stark. This trailer serves as vindication. I'm officially excited as all hell.

[megladon8]

Sweet new picture...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/megladon8/stark.jpg

[Sycophant]

Apparently, I neglected to mention how thoroughly underwhelming I've found the trailer each time I've seen it. I'm still hoping this rocks, but I have to put all my faith to that end in Downey, after watching Favreau's inept directorial hand in Elf.

[megladon8]

Apparently, I neglected to mention how thoroughly underwhelming I've found the trailer each time I've seen it. I'm still hoping this rocks, but I have to put all my faith to that end in Downey, after watching Favreau's inept directorial hand in Elf.


I'd say "inept" is going a little far.

He definitely doesn't have much style, but I don't think he's particularly bad in any way.

[Sycophant]

I'd say "inept" is going a little far.

He definitely doesn't have much style, but I don't think he's particularly bad in any way.
I'd also say he doesn't have a real idea of how to manage the flow of a film, a cinematic eye, a sense of film comedy, or the capacity to comment on the material he's giving us at all. However, I don't recall any violations of the 180 rule, so he can't be totally inept, you're right. ;)

My fear is that, above all, he's a bland director. Iron Man does not deserve a bland director. Maybe, though, Favreau will get it right. Maybe.

[megladon8]

I'd also say he doesn't have a real idea of how to manage the flow of a film, a cinematic eye, a sense of film comedy, or the capacity to comment on the material he's giving us at all. However, I don't recall any violations of the 180 rule, so he can't be totally inept, you're right. ;)

My fear is that, above all, he's a bland director. Iron Man does not deserve a bland director. Maybe, though, Favreau will get it right. Maybe.


I haven't seen Zathura, but I've read several posters saying it was surprisingly energetic and fun.

So who knows.

And while I agree that Iron Man deserves a competent, stylish director, all I can say is...

Jon Favreau >>> David S. "Blade III" Goyer, or Mark Steven "Daredevil and Ghost Rider" Johnson

[lovejuice]

I haven't seen Zathura, but I've read several posters saying it was surprisingly energetic and fun.


zathura is wonderful. among my top ten of the year it's released.

[Saya]

New pic (kinda big):

http://i30.tinypic.com/ic8fip.jpg

[number8]

Damn, the Superbowl ad rocked.

[Watashi]

Damn, the Superbowl ad rocked.
It made my penis 10 inches bigger.

[megladon8]

Is it going to be online?

I was at rehearsals.

[Skitch]

Had to rewind it a couple times just to catch it all...super awesome.


"Yeah...I can fly."

[Watashi]

Is it going to be online?

I was at rehearsals.
http://www.marvel.com/fullscreen?bcpid=1388782857&bctid=1397803586

[megladon8]

http://www.marvel.com/fullscreen?bcpid=1388782857&bctid=1397803586


Holy...fucking...shit...

You are getting rep, my friend.

That movie looks like it has enough awesomeness in it for the next decade.

[Morris Schæffer]

Very very cool.

[ledfloyd]

i really hope favs doesn't let me down again with this one. it would be really cool if this movie was better than the dark knight. maybe i'm thinking that way cause i'm a marvel guy at heart. despite my love for batman. and also downey is my favorite actor. i can't wait.

[Sycophant]

I still worry that this is going to amount to nothing. At least the effects look pretty damn cool.

[KK2.0]

Since The Matrix sequels, I've learned to not build excessive hype for this movies based on trailers. But this looks damn cool for sure.

[Ezee E]

Since The Matrix sequels, I've learned to not build excessive hype for this movies based on trailers. But this looks damn cool for sure.
Only since The Matrix sequels?

[Morris Schæffer]

Only since The Matrix sequels?

Ow hell no. Don't go there. Revenge of the Sith owns!:P

[KK2.0]

Only since The Matrix sequels?

well, Reloaded had one hell of a trailer...















...just like Episode 1 :D

[megladon8]

Comics2Film have posted several new pictures (http://www.comics2film.com/g/thumbnails.php?album=22&page=1&sort=dd).

Among my favorites:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/megladon8/im1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/megladon8/im2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/megladon8/im3.jpg

[Yxklyx]

So this director previously did ... Elf?

[Ezee E]

New trailer out.

Oh boy....

The Jericho shot.... :eek:

[Wryan]

http://www.myspace.com/trailerpark

[Henry Gale]

Very cool trailer. I'm definately excited now.

The excessive use of "Cochise", "Back In Black" and the Sabbath song in all of these trailers is getting a bit annoying though.

[Watashi]

My god... it's beautiful.

[Sxottlan]

Looks pretty good. I'm liking the dialogue so far. Reminds me more of screwball 1930's comedy.

[Watashi]

Seriously, this is the most orgasmic thing I've seen in well.... two weeks.

[megladon8]

Wow. I feel like I lost my virginity again.

[Sycophant]

Looks pretty alright.

[Ezee E]

Wow. I feel like I lost my virginity.

Fixed.

[Sycophant]

Seeing the trailer digitally projected at a multiplex tonight ensured my place in a theater opening weekend.

[megladon8]

Looks pretty alright.



Seeing the trailer digitally projected at a multiplex tonight ensured my place in a theater opening weekend.


AWESOME.

:pritch:

[megladon8]

I really like how they're using the angle that, even when Stark has reformed himself, the "enemy" continues to use his technology to terrorize and kill.

It shows in the new trailer that they stole his plans for the Mark 1, and that's the basis for Obadiah Stane's giant mech suit. I hope they capitalize on this in the movie.

[Watashi]

Is it just me or am I getting a huge Rocketeer vibe from this poster:

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/703/ironmanfinaldu7.jpg

[Kurosawa Fan]

Yuck. That's the first thing I've seen that has turned me off dealing with this film.

[Watashi]

Yuck. That's the first thing I've seen that has turned me off dealing with this film.
The poster is fine.

It's no different than this:

http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgfp1419+star-wars-movie-score-star-wars-poster.jpg

[Kurosawa Fan]

The poster is fine.

It's no different than this:

http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgfp1419+star-wars-movie-score-star-wars-poster.jpg

Nothing is showing up for me, but no matter what you post, it won't change my opinion that that particular Iron Man poster is not fine, but rather a poor photoshop job in the same spirit as countless other photoshop jobs. It's not like the poster will affect my opinion of the film. I just think it sucks.

[Watashi]

Nothing is showing up for me, but no matter what you post, it won't change my opinion that that particular Iron Man poster is not fine, but rather a poor photoshop job in the same spirit as countless other photoshop jobs. It's not like the poster will affect my opinion of the film. I just think it sucks.
You're really loony sometimes.

The image was of the original Star Wars poster which has the basic same format. It's the vein of classic serials and a throwback to great posters of the 60's and 70's.

[Skitch]

Wow, I really like that poster!

[KK2.0]

oh, the flying heads poster, as usual the teaser posters are far better.

this one reminds me of the Star Wars posters, similar distribution of elements: replace jets for spaceships, Palthrow for Leia/Amidala, iron man for Vader, and big heads for other characters, voilá.

[Kurosawa Fan]

The image was of the original Star Wars poster which has the basic same format. It's the vein of classic serials and a throwback to great posters of the 60's and 70's.

Maybe that's what they were going for, but it came off as a 90's and 00's floating-heads generic photoshop poster, completely unimpressive and unoriginal.

[Morris Schæffer]

Nothing is showing up for me, but no matter what you post, it won't change my opinion that that particular Iron Man poster is not fine, but rather a poor photoshop job in the same spirit as countless other photoshop jobs. It's not like the poster will affect my opinion of the film. I just think it sucks.

I agree with this. I would have loved to have seen something along the lines of the original Hellboy poster. There's no artistry whatsoever to this poster.

[Watashi]

Pushed ahead to April 30th. Will have new Indy trailer attached. (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/iron_man/news/1669113/)

[megladon8]

Cool little clip (http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/ironman/large_clip.html)

[megladon8]

This new TV spot (http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=7044) has some neat visuals, but damn, that is some of the worst sound editing I have ever heard.

Did they get first year remedial sound technician students to do that?

[SirNewt]

So now I've seen the trailer a couple times in the theater and I'm not liking how this is looking. The snide comments delivered by Tony when he's in inconvenient situations just feel out of time and frankly, stupid.

[megladon8]

So now I've seen the trailer a couple times in the theater and I'm not liking how this is looking. The snide comments delivered by Tony when he's in inconvenient situations just feel out of time and frankly, stupid.


Eh, I don't know what to tell you, then.

Those snide comments are very much a part of Tony Stark.

[SirNewt]

Eh, I don't know what to tell you, then.

Those snide comments are very much a part of Tony Stark.

I understand that. They definitely need to be there. I'll just have to wait and see how they play in the context of the entire movie.

[megladon8]

Acutally, something I am very excited about with this movie is how deeply they go into Stark's alcoholic asshole side.

In the comics, he is very often a complete prick.

[SirNewt]

Acutally, something I am very excited about with this movie is how deeply they go into Stark's alcoholic asshole side.

In the comics, he is very often a complete prick.


I read an interview with the director and I thought he said they weren't delving into the alcoholic years. He laughingly said, "maybe in the sequel."

[megladon8]

I read an interview with the director and I thought he said they weren't delving into the alcoholic years. He laughingly said, "maybe in the sequel."


Well, many shots in the trailer clearly show Stark drinking.

He's even mixing a drink when he is building the suit in his garage.

Maybe he just means the movie isn't about his alcoholism, first and foremost.

[number8]

Favreau was talking about the "Demon in a Bottle" story, which is really the only Iron Man story dealing with his alcoholism. It's a fucking depressing story, and I highly doubt they'd ever adapt it in the sequels (nor do I want them to, to be honest). They'll most likely deal with the alcoholism in a radically different manner and resolve it in 20 minutes, in time for the heroic finale.

From what I see in the trailers, it doesn't look like they're going into his alcoholism, just showing him casually drinking like James Bond.

[Ezee E]

PALTROW: Tony Stark! Stop it, the world needs you!

Tony Stark looks at his bottle, feeling the withdrawel, but knows what's right. He throws the shot of whiskey in the fire, it erupts, as does Tony Stark's eyes, setting off the lightbulb on how to defeat the enemy.

TONY STARK: I defeated the real enemy. My addiction.

[SirNewt]

PALTROW: Tony Stark! Stop it, the world needs you!

Tony Stark looks at his bottle, feeling the withdrawel, but knows what's right. He throws the shot of whiskey in the fire, it erupts, as does Tony Stark's eyes, setting off the lightbulb on how to defeat the enemy.

TONY STARK: I defeated the real enemy. My addiction.

Oh my god, is that from the comic?

[Ezee E]

Oh my god, is that from the comic?
If it was, I'd totally buy it.

[SirNewt]

If it was, I'd totally buy it.

It has to be.

[number8]

I'm assuming you're suggesting that's what they're gonna do in the sequel, in which case I'm going to bet that you're close. :lol:

But no, that's not what happened in the comic.

[Ezee E]

I'm assuming you're suggesting that's what they're gonna do in the sequel, in which case I'm going to bet that you're close. :lol:

But no, that's not what happened in the comic.
I'm glad that my clever thoughts were taken for granted though. Stupid smileys!

[MadMan]

I'm with KF: the new poster sucks. But I still want to see the film regardless.

[Watashi]

I found a quote from Favreau describing Iron Man as "if Robert Altman directed Superman". He then stated that both Downey and Bridges improved a lot of their dialogue.

[Watashi]

In fact, according to wikipedia, the line in the trailer, "I don't like the weapon you don't have to fire. I like the weapon you have to fire only once. That's how dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far." was all improved by Downey on the spot.

Man, I can't fucking wait for this movie.

[SirNewt]

I'm glad that my clever thoughts were taken for granted though. Stupid smileys!

Crap, well don't pat yourself on the back yet. The hokeyness of it is what really made me think it was comic book material. Maybe you should move into writing cheap novelettes.

[Ezee E]

Crap, well don't pat yourself on the back yet. The hokeyness of it is what really made me think it was comic book material. Maybe you should move into writing cheap novelettes.
Done.

[Qrazy]

I found a quote from Favreau describing Iron Man as "if Robert Altman directed Superman". He then stated that both Downey and Bridges improved a lot of their dialogue.

I tend to take what director's say about their own films with a mountain of salt... particularly mediocre ones.

[Sven]

Wow. Comparing yourself with Altman... that takes cajones.

[SirNewt]

I tend to take what director's say about their own films with a mountain of salt... particularly mediocre ones.

oooouu! Buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrrr rnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!

[Dukefrukem]

man this looks fucking awesome...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX15_zwoZ6c

[megladon8]

man this looks fucking awesome...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX15_zwoZ6c


*drool*

I, for one, loved his snarky little comments.

Especially the stuff about the fire extinguisher.

"Would you please not follow me around like that? It makes me feel like I'm gonna catch on fire...spontaneously"

[Mara]

Very funny mock-news article from The Onion:

Wildly Popular 'Iron Man' Trailer To Be Adapted Into Full-Length Film (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/wildly_popular_iron_man_traile r)

[megladon8]

Very funny mock-news article from The Onion:

Wildly Popular 'Iron Man' Trailer To Be Adapted Into Full-Length Film (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/wildly_popular_iron_man_traile r)


:)

"And they will be bringing back Robert Downey Jr. to reprise his role as Tony Stark"

[lovejuice]

:)

"And they will be bringing back Robert Downey Jr. to reprise his role as Tony Stark"

awesome as expected from the onion.

[number8]

No Nick Fury.

[Watashi]

No Nick Fury.

You sure?

Advance reviews says he's in a cameo after the credits.

[number8]

I stayed til the end as did most people. Everyone groaned because there was no scene after the credits. You got lied to.

[Watashi]

I stayed til the end as did most people. Everyone groaned because there was no scene after the credits. You got lied to.

So... what'd you think?

[Morris Schæffer]

It's ok. For an undemanding person such as myself, I had sufficient fun, but this already stands little chance of making my top 10 of this year. So I guess the blockbuster season has yet to errupt in earnest.

[Yxklyx]

Very funny mock-news article from The Onion:

Wildly Popular 'Iron Man' Trailer To Be Adapted Into Full-Length Film (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/wildly_popular_iron_man_traile r)

Hilarious!. That's the first time I've watched one of these Onion videos - can't watch them at work.

[Watashi]

94% and rising....

This movie will be a thousand orgasms in a jar waiting to be popped open.

Must. control. self.

[Watashi]

95%!

http://icine.org/forums/images/smiles/happy.gif

[Watashi]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y285/giz_19/warmachine.jpg

:eek:

Not real of course, but still damn cool.

[Boner M]

It's pretty good.

[Watashi]

It's pretty good.
Uh, your signature begs to differ.

Raise it, fool.

[Boner M]

Uh, your signature begs to differ.

Raise it, fool.
I'm on the D'Angelo scale right now, so my ratings have been more rigorous lately. If I was on the old scale it'd be a high 6.5.

Anyway, I'm pretty surprised that it's getting such good reviews; it's never actively bad but rarely awe-inspiring. Solidly written, charismatically acted, percolates along amiably... but never establishes enough of a personality of it's own or goes interesting places. But yeah, I had a good time. Scott Foundas' review in the Village Voice summed up it's modest virtues nicely:

"Where Michael Bay has mastered a kind of sensory-assaulting pop art, Favreau is a born storyteller who engages the audience's imagination rather than crushing it in a tsunami of digital noise. He gives us giant robots we can actually care about as opposed to those we can scarcely tell apart—and that, I would propose, is the difference between making images and making movies."

[Morris Schæffer]

I'm surprised at the T-meter's. Not that it should be taken at face value, but 91% is insanely high.


Anyway, I'm pretty surprised that it's getting such good reviews; it's never actively bad but rarely awe-inspiring. Solidly written, charismatically acted, percolates along amiably... but never establishes enough of a personality of it's own or goes interesting places. But yeah, I had a good time. Scott Foundas' review in the Village Voice summed up it's modest virtues nicely:

"Where Michael Bay has mastered a kind of sensory-assaulting pop art, Favreau is a born storyteller who engages the audience's imagination rather than crushing it in a tsunami of digital noise. He gives us giant robots we can actually care about as opposed to those we can scarcely tell apart—and that, I would propose, is the difference between making images and making movies."

Agree with you Boner except for that review blurb because I found that in the very end, Iron Man became just as mechanic and inflated as something Bay would cook up except on a smaller scale.

[EvilShoe]

I'll have to agree with Boner and Morris here.
It's a very standard flick, but enjoyable. Except for the casting, no risks have been taken.

The trailer does indeed show anything.

I found the ending to be promising, as it should lead to a better second movie.

[Barty]

I agree with Boner and the Shoe

[Morris Schæffer]

I found the ending to be promising, as it should lead to a better second movie.

The final five seconds were kinda sweet and a complete departure from the usual superhero movies where the herowill do anything to keep his identity a secret.

Anyway:

Interviewer: Mr. Stark Mr. Stark! People say you're like a modern day Leonardo Da Vinci. What do you say to that?
Stark: That's ridiculous. I don't paint.

If not much else, the script is quite witty at times.

[Watashi]

I don't believe any of you.

[Watashi]

Sah-weet.

RT originally posted Schager's review as a negative, but if you read his review, it's clearly positive. I emailed RT and asked them to switch and tada, they did! They even changed his tomatometer blurb to something more positive.

I rule so hard.

94% and rising...

[megladon8]

The "meh" response this is getting on here is not deterring me at all.

While obviously open for disappointment - I'm not a blind fanboy, you know - I am greatly looking forward to being blown away by the screen adaptation of my favorite Marvel superhero.

[Dukefrukem]

is that war machine??

[megladon8]

is that war machine??


Yep, but it's not real.

It's a photoshop of one of those first photos of the Iron Man suit.

However, has anyone checked out that LG promo site for the movie? It's the cell phone company, LG, and they have a few cool little videos and animatics of the various designs from the film in wireframe.

One of them showed a slightly bulkier Iron Man suit, with a chain gun mounted on the shoulder.

So, methinks War Machine is definitely a character we will see in the next installment.

[Dukefrukem]

link?

[megladon8]

link?


Inside the Suit.com (http://www.insidethesuit.com)

[Dukefrukem]

Inside the Suit.com (http://www.insidethesuit.com)

where are those images? i hate these flash sites

[megladon8]

where are those images? i hate these flash sites


I can't access it right now while at work.

It's in the section where there's Videos, Wallpapers, etc.

[Dukefrukem]

i found it, you have to enter the phonecode....

talkin about this? i think this is just his Mach II suit.... the one before the red one ...

http://www.straferight.com/photopost/data/500/ironman.JPG

[megladon8]

No, that's not it.

This was part of a video. It showed a very rough wireframe version of the Iron Man suit, with a chain-gun mounted on its shoulder.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I'm pretty sure that pic above is Iron Monger, not the Mach II suit. That's Jeff Bridges suit.

[number8]

I'm pretty sure that pic above is Iron Monger, not the Mach II suit. That's Jeff Bridges suit.

Yep, you can tell because he's pointing a big fucking gun at Gwyneth.

[Watashi]

Oh! And while press screenings did not have a certain scene after the credits, when Iron Man is released in theaters tonight, it IS expected to have it... so, be sure to stay after the credits!

Yes!

Take that Ary!

[Morris Schæffer]

The "meh" response this is getting on here is not deterring me at all.

While obviously open for disappointment - I'm not a blind fanboy, you know - I am greatly looking forward to being blown away by the screen adaptation of my favorite Marvel superhero.

I look forward to reading the opinion of a true fan of the character. No, really.

[Morris Schæffer]

Yes!

Take that Ary!

Looks like he got pwned.:)

[megladon8]

I look forward to reading the opinion of a true fan of the character. No, really.


And I look forward to bringing my thoughts to the people!

[origami_mustache]

My friend basically begged me to go with him to see this tonight. He offered to buy me beer. The only problem is the beer ($16) and ticket price ($14) cancel each other out. I actually declined invites from 3 different people. haha

[Ivan Drago]

The movie was awesome, but the highlight was after the credits:

My name's Nick Fury. I'm here to talk to you about the Avenger Mission.

:eek: :eek: :eek: Everyone in the theater went nuts.

[Watashi]

It was ok.

[Boner M]

It was ok.
You just never learn, Wats.

[Derek]

My friend basically begged me to go with him to see this tonight. He offered to buy me beer. The only problem is the beer ($16) and ticket price ($14) cancel each other out. I actually declined invites from 3 different people. haha

Elitist!

I should hopefully be seeing this tomorrow or Saturday.

[origami_mustache]

Elitist!

I should hopefully be seeing this tomorrow or Saturday.

hehe...yes because everyone knows you're either unAmerican or some sort of snob if you dislike comic book movies.

[Morris Schæffer]

96% on the T-meter. I don't get it. I really don't. Does the RDJ factor add so much for critics? Are they just grateful for an explosive movie after the terribly lackluster past three months? Sure, the protagonist is always an important part of the equation, but 96%?! I'm not gonna loose sleep over it, but this has really surprised me.

[Boner M]

It was ok.

Iron Man (2008) ***½
Hmm.

[Winston*]

It was entertaining enough, nothing to get all that excited about. Liked how Bridges' villain rode a Segway. This futher confirms my suspicion that only terrible people ride Segways. Also nice to see C-3PO getting work outside the Star Wars universe.

That bit was not worth waiting through the credits for, Watashi.

[Dukefrukem]

Yes!

Take that Ary!

yup

[Dukefrukem]

It was entertaining enough, nothing to get all that excited about. Liked how Bridges' villain rode a Segway. This futher confirms my suspicion that only terrible people ride Segways. Also nice to see C-3PO getting work outside the Star Wars universe.

That Sam Jackson bit was not worth waiting through the credits for, Watashi.

way to ruin it....

[Winston*]

Really? Okay...edited then, I guess.

[Fezzik]

I went to see a comic book movie with a really interesting lead character and thats exactly what I got.

I absolutely loved the nods to various plot points of possible sequels.

It shows what a "comic book movie" can be when the material is taken seriously by all involved.

Downey wrapped himself up in this role. He brings so much to the film, I honestly don't think it would be NEARLY as great as it is without him.

It might be the best "origin story" superhero film I've seen, and Gwyneth Paltrow surprised me. I like her as an actress, but I never saw her as being a good choice for Pepper. I was wrong.

The only thing I didn't like was some of the dialogue during the climactic battle. Other than that, the movie was ten tons of awesome.

"Mr. Stark is it true you went 12 for 12 with the Maxim cover girls last year?"

"It's complicated. Yes and no. March and I had a scheduling conflict but the Christmas cover was twins so it balanced out."

9/10.

[Dukefrukem]

Really? Okay...edited then, I guess.

Well not for nothin' but i was planning on staying after to see what everyone was talking about.. this would have been completely out of left field for me and I may have enjoyed it.. but now im expecting it... eh... i guess it doesnt really matter..

[number8]

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/iron-man/review/

I have beef with Paramount now.

[megladon8]

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/iron-man/review/

I have beef with Paramount now.


Um...what's the beef?

[Morris Schæffer]

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/iron-man/review/

I have beef with Paramount now.


What is perhaps ironic—but nonetheless what makes it special—is that it’s one superhero movie where the level of fun actually drops whenever the action starts.

Dunno if that makes it special. If it was really great, it would nail both aspects.

[Watashi]

That bit was not worth waiting through the credits for, Watashi.

Yes it was.

[Watashi]

It may increase on a second viewing.

It was pretty much everything I wanted in an Iron Man movie even with my sky-rocketed expectations. In an already impressive career, Downey Jr. adds another fantastic performance under his belt. I just can't imagine anyone else especially consider before he was attached, both Tom Cruise and Nicolas Cage were set to star (*shudders*).

I have no idea why people here are giving it so-so remarks. It delivers on every level and defines how a superhero movie should be. Sure it had some flaws. It could have used a better score and maybe a bit more thunder in the action sequences (which were still exhilirating), but Downey Jr. and the rest of the cast gave it spark. Jeff Bridges rocked as Obadiah Stane.

[number8]

Um...what's the beef?

The fact that they felt the need to cut the Nick Fury scene out of the advanced screening reel.

[Watashi]

Yeah, that's really lame.

My audience went nuts. Such a total nerdgasm experience. Also at the obvious nod towards War Machine, which will rule in the sequel.

Bring on May 2010 already!

[number8]

I loved how slow my audience were.

When the agent first appeared and said he was from Strategic Homeland Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate, only me and maybe two other guys whoo-ed.

Then at the end when he said "Just call it SHIELD" everybody cheered.

[megladon8]

Leaving to see it in about 15 minutes.

Everyone please pray for me that my friends don't fuck this one up.

[Rowland]

It was okay. Favreau is a boring filmmaker, only highlights how strong Raimi's direction in the Spider-Man movies is by comparison. The script is by-the-numbers, so Downey is the main reason to see it.

[chrisnu]

Was a trailer for X-Files II attached to Iron Man? :)

[origami_mustache]

It was okay. Favreau is a boring filmmaker, only highlights how strong Raimi's direction in the Spider-Man movies is by comparison. The script is by-the-numbers, so Downey is the main reason to see it.

Forgot he was directing this...so weird.

[Winston*]

I also liked how he cut perfectly circular holes in his shirts so that glowy heart powering thing could poke out. I wonder if he invented a special shirt hole cutting machine for that purpose.

[megladon8]

I thought it was fantastic.

The script was the best part - the dialogue was snappy and witty, the characters were fun and interesting, and it was just very well written.

Robert Downey Jr. is, of course, going to continue to get accolades for his great performance - not only can I not imagine anyone else in the role, but it also sets a pretty high bar for actors taking on these roles in the future.

Favreau did a great job of bridging the gap between cheesy/lighthearted, and dark, brooding comic book movies.

It's a fun action film, it's smartly written, the cast is great through and through, and it just really hit all the right notes.

It's not without its flaws - the aforementioned poor musical score definitely needed to go. The character definitely deserves a more iconic, rousing score, rather than generic action movie music.

And there are some flaws in logic - beyond the obvious suspension of disbelief.

But on the whole, it was exactly what I wanted from an Iron Man movie, and I can't wait for more.


Oh, and a quick note to filmmakers - when you want audiences to stay 'til after the credits for a very, very brief little snippet, it would be advisable to not make the credits go on, and on, and on, and on.

Maybe it was my anticipation of what was to come, but man, that was a long-ass final credit roll.

[Watashi]

It was okay. Favreau is a boring filmmaker, only highlights how strong Raimi's direction in the Spider-Man movies is by comparison. The script is by-the-numbers, so Downey is the main reason to see it.
Spiderman 2 is better, I'll give you that, but 1 and 3?

Fuuuuck no.

I agree that Iron Man did lack the 'money shots' that most superhero movies are known for. I do love the abrupt ballsy ending though.

[megladon8]

I agree that Iron Man did lack the 'money shots' that most superhero movies are known for. I do love the abrupt ballsy ending though.


Eh, I disagree.

Iron Man had several moments where my eyes widened and I wanted to yell out "SNAP!"

His first assault with the Mark 3 was freakin' brilliant.

[Winston*]

The script was the best part

Really? It kind of play by play goes everywhere you expect it to go.

[Watashi]

Really? It kind of play by play goes everywhere you expect it to go.
Where else would the script go? There's not many huge detours you can take when making an Iron Man movie. You either follow the comics or you don't.

I don't think anyone really saw the ending coming like that anyway.

[number8]

Where else would the script go? There's not many huge detours you can take when making an Iron Man movie. You either follow the comics or you don't.

I don't think anyone really saw the ending coming like that anyway.

I dunno, that's not really true. There are ways you can make it original while staying in character. Batman Begins was. I thought it was by the numbers too, plot wise. The characterizations was what made the movie.

[megladon8]

Yes, I agree the plot was pretty light. But like number8 just said, it's the characterizations that made it - which is what I always liked about the comics, anyways.

The narrative structure was simple, but it fulfilled its purpose in letting the characters take centre stage.

The dialogue was just awesome. And I think Favreau was pretty brave to have really just three action sequences spread far apart throughout the movie. It's one of the talkiest superhero films to come out of the genre boom, and I also thought it was one of the best.

I could definitely see my rating go up with repeat viewings.

[Sycophant]

I'll be seeing this later today. But I'm a little miffed at it for bumping out the Harold and Kumar showing I wanted to see yesterday.

[Watashi]

I'll be seeing this later today. But I'm a little miffed at it for bumping out the Harold and Kumar showing I wanted to see yesterday.
Iron Man is so much better than Harold and Kumar.

[megladon8]

Iron Man is so much better than Harold and Kumar.


I don't even need to see the latter to agree with this.

Iron Man is the best movie of the year so far.

[Rowland]

Anyone else think that cutesy robot in Iron Man's lair was out of place? It felt like that thing wandered in from the set of another movie.

[Watashi]

No. It makes that if Tony can build a computer-smart personality like Jarvis, he would create his helper robots on the side for company. It also says a lot about Stark considering his "real" friends are things that he has built with his money.

Plus, I really like Paul Bettany's voice as Jarvis.

[Watashi]

Heh. Also during the scene where the helper robot brought Tony's heart to him these three girls behind me went "AWWWW.... Butterfingers!". I was holding my breath from laughing so hard.

[number8]

It's cool that I haven't heard a fanboy complain about Jarvis being AI yet. Shows that it's a change that makes sense with the characters.

[megladon8]

I thought this was really funny (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlLeCu63HCA&feature=bz302)

[EyesWideOpen]

There was a huge negative reaction to the after credits scene at my theater which was completely full. People actually booed and yelled "that's it".

I thought it was probably the best part of the movie.

[megladon8]

There was a huge negative reaction to the after credits scene at my theater which was completely full. People actually booed and yelled "that's it".

I thought it was probably the best part of the movie.


On it's own, it's cool.

After that monumentally long credits sequence, it was a little disappointing.

[Sycophant]

Iron Meh.

That is to say, it never felt consistent, and I feel it could have done with some sort of tone. There were parts about it I liked, but it was mostly pretty bland and ill-paced. Downey was good, the effects were great, I really liked the very ending, and it feels like it's been too long since I've seen Paltrow in something.

[EyesWideOpen]

On it's own, it's cool.

After that monumentally long credits sequence, it was a little disappointing.

it's got Sam Jackson with an eye patch talking about the Avengers, what more could a comicbook fanboy want?

[megladon8]

Iron Man

a review by Braden Adam


I’ve always been more of a DC guy. This probably stems from the time at which I was most into superheroes - the 1990s, when comic books were at an all time low with regards to quality writing. I wanted so badly to like “X-Men”, because Wolverine was so cool and I generally just loved the concept...but every time I picked up an issue of the book, it was a damn soap opera. I just couldn’t get into the storylines, and I (like every other young boy) wanted action. That’s probably why “Iron Man” was the one Marvel hero I could really get behind. He had his bouts of soap opera madness, but nothing like his mutant friends. His books were always more about the action, and the drama which could be derived from it. So it was with this young boy’s sense of anticipation that I went to the theatre to see Marvel’s most recent film, Iron Man, and I was given a hefty dose of nostalgia, and a genuinely great movie to boot.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/megladon8/im2-1.jpg

Robert Downey Jr. is deserving of all the accolades he has been receiving for his turn as Tony Stark, and people will be talking about this performance for a long time - probably until the next movie comes out. He plays Stark as an arrogant, womanizing, heavy drinker, but does it with such charisma and charm that he’s possibly the most likable comic book hero we have seen on the silver screen thus far. His sense of humor and his teenage selfishness complement each other nicely, and while his toys are all A.I.-fueled high-tech gadgets, in the end he is just a boy who discovers he can make himself into a hero in his own garage. And once the suit is complete and Iron Man begins his work, the action is exhilarating and surprisingly tasteful in its execution.

The movie really shines in it’s dialogue, though. While light on narrative - a fairly standard origin story and “hero’s quest” type plot structure is at its core - the characters surrounding Stark are rich and full of life (due in no small part to the top notch cast). Director Jon Favreau has said that he encouraged the cast to ad lib as much as they wanted, and the improvisations are spot on for the characters being played. The interaction between Stark and his various maintenance robots is hilarious, and the forbidden romance between him and his secretary Pepper Potts (played by Gwyneth Paltrow) rings true due to the snappy back-and-forth occurring between them in all of their scenes together.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/megladon8/im4.jpg

Iron Man, like any truly great summer movie, isn’t just mindless entertainment. It has a heart, a soul, and a conscience. It is a film about responsibility - not in the way Spider-Man was, but in its own way. Learning to take responsibility for your past actions, and choosing to right your own wrongs rather than let someone else do it for you is a central theme in the film. And with its modern-day relevance - having it take place largely in Afghanistan, involving middle eastern war criminals whose lives were destroyed by the same American weapons which they now use in their crusade for vengeance - it’s quite a wake-up call to the USA to take responsibility, itself, for a conflict which is largely (if not entirely) their fault.

And while I would not be reluctant in any way to call this the best superhero movie since Batman Begins (and in turn one of the best ever), it is not without its flaws. Perhaps my own fandom has created a bias, but the strength of Iron Man’s character really warranted a more rousing musical score. Having the score rely largely on heavy guitar riffs is great in concept (I mean, heavy metal music for Iron Man seems appropriate, right?) but none of it really felt unique. The music seemed like it could have been used in just about any other modern action film. Something more iconic, like Danny Elfman’s Batman theme or John Williams’ Superman, could have added so much.

There are also a few lapses in logic which were not distracting, but certainly noticeable. The largest of these logical flaws takes place shortly after Stark has escaped from his Afghani prison, and has left all the pieces of his original creation behind (the crude “Mark 1" suit). Once back on American soil, everyone keeps asking him about his brilliant escape and how he pulled it off - would the government not have been quick to collect those giant machine parts that he simply left in the sand for the bad guys to come back and collect? Would they not have been more interested in collecting this brilliant walking death-machine than, well, rescuing Tony Stark himself?

Logical shortcomings aside, Iron Man is an absolute blast. The characters and dialogue are witty and smartly written, the action sequences (though few and far between) are incredible, and it finds a perfect balance between the brooding, dark tones of something like Batman Begins, and the too-silly-for-its-own-good nature of the Fantastic Four series.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/megladon8/im3-1.jpg

This is the way a comic book movie should be handled, and let’s hope it does well enough at the box office to force Robert Downey Jr. To make good on his promise of a few sequels.

[Watashi]

Iron Meh.

That is to say, it never felt consistent, and I feel it could have done with some sort of tone. There were parts about it I liked, but it was mostly pretty bland and ill-paced. Downey was good, the effects were great, I really liked the very ending, and it feels like it's been too long since I've seen Paltrow in something.

Uh, no. The film was pretty consistent balancing Stark's playboy life with his dramatic turnarounds. In fact, you probably won't find a more likeable lead in superhero films.

The mixed reactions baffle me.

At least the critics are getting it right.

[Watashi]

The problem with the score is that the main theme isn't used enough. The actual Iron Man theme is pretty fantastic, but it's only used during the last fight scene and in the end credits.

[Watashi]

The big MZS posted his thoughts here (http://mattzollerseitz.blogspot.com/2008/05/iron-man-love-for-robert-downey-jr.html). He liked it a lot.


I saw this Friday, and while I certainly wouldn't call it a masterpiece, it was about 10 times better than it needed to be in order to be a hit. In fact, I commented to Alan Sepinwall (who I saw it with) that the film inspired a reaction similar to the one I had after seeing "Casino Royale," which took James Bond seriously as a person and surrounded him with other psychologically credible characters and created a central love story that was not even remotely a joke, and it was one of the biggest hits of the series entire then-44 year run; it made me wonder what took them so long. Same thing here: "Iron Man" delivers the requisite rock'-em, sock-'em robots action (much more thrillingly and coherently than "Transformers," which suffered from Michael Bay's characteristically sloppy-yet-monotonously monumental filmmaking) but the parts that are really compelling, at times thrilling, are the little grace notes and moments of character interplay. This is a sensibility we've seen applied to comic book blockbusters here and there (I'm thinking of the screwball office scenes in the first three "Superman" movies and parts of the "Spider-Man" films), but I don't believe it's ever been applied to a comic book adaptation from start to finish successfully, much less integrated seamlessly into a story of a decadent playboy weapons merchant's moral/spiritual/emotional awakening that takes the latter story absolutely seriously, even milking it for pathos and righteous anger. (Stark's last line seemed to me an indication of his compulsive honesty; he starts the film lying habitually to himself and the world, and becomes more and more honest, to his own physical detriment, as he goes along.)

I also loved the way Favreau and his scriptwriters tied the electromagnetic heart accessory to Stark's growing a heart, and augmented that with plentiful Tin Man imagery (Pepper Potts' gift to her boss was groaningly on-the-nose, even though it paid off satisfyingly). It's significant and fitting that the energy device is there to prevent shrapnel from penetrating his heart and killing him. It's the movie's way of literalizing the idea that Stark's heart is dead because of what he does for a living, and it'll take radical intervention to protect that heart and get it going again. has no sense of culpability until he gets literally blasted out of his complacency; his obsessive mission is to prevent other people from suffering what he suffered. The heart ring/power source is a great example of concrete objects being invested with metaphoric weight, a la Billy Wilder. The moral sense that Tony Stark grows in captivity (concurrent with his Arab friend/science partner fitting him with a device that prevents Stark-created shrapnel from piercing his heart and killing him) evolves into the prototype armor that he constructs to escape his prison (as much a cage of preconceptions as a real jail), and this in turn gives way to the final Iron Man costume (and the war machine suit that Terrence Howard eyes in the final act, and the iron giant suit that Stark's partner constructs and then dons to fight Stark -- another confirmation that Stark's weapons will invariably be turned against the country, and the man, that unleashed them on the world).

In its heart (pun intended) "Iron Man" is the story of a cynical, maybe worthless human being having a near death experience and remaking himself, in every sense, into a force for good. "I'm alive for a reason," he tells Pepper, and the movie doesn't dare wink.

The movie has a moral and political consciousness that is likewise rare in this sort of film. It can't quite square those with the financial obligation to not be perceived as too hippie-ish (or "anti-American") in its indictment of the military-industrial forces that run the country. But the earnest outrage it displays throughout, and its repetition of the fact that the very weapons we create to defend our economic interests are used against American troops and American companies and institutions, are all unusual for this genre and altogether refreshing.

Jon Favreau has one of the more distinctive senses of humor in Hollywood today. He clearly studied early Albert Brooks quite carefully, as indicated by the dry neurotic humor and overlapping, sometimes-sounds-improvised dialogue. The fact that he was able to apply it to this sort of material (and let his actors give the sorts of performances that would not seem at all out of place in the Favreau-scripted "Swingers" and his directorial debut, "Made") is a minor miracle when you think about it. It's like the circa-1982 Albert Brooks directing "Superman." Which is something I desperately wish had happened, come to think of it.

Am I crazy, or would this movie fit well on a double-bill with "Groundhog Day"?

[number8]

Saw it again last night just for the Nick Fury scene. It ruled, and my crowd's reaction was hilarious.

What's funny was how people who stayed (which was about half the theater) didn't seem to know about the end credit sequence. When the shadow started talking, everyone recognized the voice immediately, and started going "WHAT THE FUCK? IS THAT...?" then they showed him, and people were like "Oooohhh!!! Snapppp!!!!" and finally when he said the mission line and the scene cuts to black, people were high fiving each other going "HELL YEAH!" and pretty much talked about only that scene on their way out.

I love people watching in theaters.

[Ezee E]

Generally, when I know about something after the credits, I'm the only one in the theater.

[eternity]

My short opinion- it's basically the summer blockbuster done right. And I haven't even remotely liked a big summer film since Batman Begins back in '05.

[Grouchy]

There was a huge negative reaction to the after credits scene at my theater which was completely full. People actually booed and yelled "that's it".

I thought it was probably the best part of the movie.
Huh?

Why the hell would you react wrong to that? If you know who the character is, then what's not to like? Oh, yeah.

That he's the Ultimate Nick Fury, I guess.
Anyway, loved the movie. Review tomorrow.

[transmogrifier]

It's...okay.

[megladon8]

Huh?

Why the hell would you react wrong to that? If you know who the character is, then what's not to like? Oh, yeah.

That he's the Ultimate Nick Fury, I guess.
Anyway, loved the movie. Review tomorrow.



I think the negative reaction EWO is citing - much like the negative reaction at my showing - was the fact that people had to wait through such a long end credits sequence, just to get that very, very short little scene that really added nothing at all.

[EyesWideOpen]

The credits weren't any longer than normal, the credits for Kill Bill Vol. 1 which lasted at least twice as long (they repeat the list like three times) and gave you a two second scene and the credits for Matrix Reloaded were far longer also.

[Sycophant]

The credits sequence felt like a credit sequence.

[number8]

I didn't find it any longer than usual, too.

[Raiders]

Can anyone verify that the X-Files trailer is definitely playing before this? It is the only way I am convincing my wife to see it with me.

[megladon8]

Can anyone verify that the X-Files trailer is definitely playing before this? It is the only way I am convincing my wife to see it with me.


It didn't play before my showing.

Neither did The Dark Knight trailer.

I was disappointed.

[Sycophant]

It didn't play before my showing.

Neither did The Dark Knight trailer.

I was disappointed.
Yeah, mine didn't either. Sorry, dude.

But you can probably see the super-awesome new Incredible Hulk trailer.

[Watashi]

Can anyone verify that the X-Files trailer is definitely playing before this? It is the only way I am convincing my wife to see it with me.
No, it's not.

[Watashi]

Yeah, mine didn't either. Sorry, dude.

But you can probably see the super-awesome new Incredible Hulk trailer.
I sense sarcasm.

*likes the new Hulk trailer*

[Raiders]

Dammit. Oh well. She'll see it anyway... especially if I don't tell her.

[Wryan]

I liked it a lot.

And TDK trailer was in front, but no X. Great DK trailer though.

[number8]

better if you've read Civil War:

http://shortpacked.com/comics/20080505assjerk.png

[Grouchy]

I think the negative reaction EWO is citing - much like the negative reaction at my showing - was the fact that people had to wait through such a long end credits sequence, just to get that very, very short little scene that really added nothing at all.
But... what did you expect? It's the confirmation that there's an Avengers movie on the work, and it's got Samuel Jackson playing Nick Fury!

[Rowland]

I don't even know who Nick Fury is, and I'm sure there are lots like me, so I imagine that post-credits epilogue is only really of interest to big comic book fans.

[Sycophant]

I don't even know who Nick Fury is, and I'm sure there are lots like me, so I imagine that post-credits epilogue is only really of interest to big comic book fans.
Or anyone who thinks Samuel L. Jackson isn't in quite enough movies.

[Watashi]

Yeah, but Nick Fury (Ultimate version that is) couldn't have been played by anyone else.

Saw the film again today. Many pant exploding moments and I really got caught in the drama this time around instead of geeking out every ten seconds during the preview show.

But still, just seeing SHIELD running around with Pepper made me giddy all inside.

I don't think Indy, Bats, or any of the summer movies will be able to top this (besides WALL-E of course).

[ledfloyd]

i thought this was awful. how does transformers get trashed by critics and this get praised? they're pretty much the same movie.

completely generic, nothing at all memorable about it. maybe RDJ's performance, but despite him being my favorite actor i'm not sure he brought much to the role anyone else couldn't have. terrible script, the dialogue during the showdown at the end was laughably bad.

i went in wanting to love this but there was really nothing at all to love. awful.

[Watashi]

i thought this was awful. how does transformers get trashed by critics and this get praised? they're pretty much the same movie.

completely generic, nothing at all memorable about it. maybe RDJ's performance, but despite him being my favorite actor i'm not sure he brought much to the role anyone else couldn't have. terrible script, the dialogue during the showdown at the end was laughably bad.

i went in wanting to love this but there was really nothing at all to love. awful.
If there was an award for wrongest post on the internet, you would take home the prize.

[Ezee E]

Seeing this tomorrow.

[ledfloyd]

If there was an award for wrongest post on the internet, you would take home the prize.
i won something!?

awesome!

[Raiders]

i thought this was awful. how does transformers get trashed by critics and this get praised? they're pretty much the same movie.


Just before the opening shot and all the subsequent shots and scenes, this is probably true.

[ledfloyd]

Just before the opening shot and all the subsequent shots and scenes, this is probably true.
i kinda wish michael bay had directed this. at least then it would've had SOME personality. favreau is the most personalityless of directors and this does nothing to change that.

[Raiders]

i kinda wish michael bay had directed this. at least then it would've had SOME personality. favreau is the most personalityless of directors and this does nothing to change that.

I wouldn't argue that as a stylist, he has little that leaves an impression. But, he does seem to have a very good naturalness with actors. I remember him coaxing a pretty great performance from Dax Shepard in Zathura, and though Downey is already a superb actor, there's a brilliantly subtle transition his character undergoes that manages to become more responsible and accountable without really becoming a more personable guy. The film itself was good but certainly not great, and I agree that compared to some superhero, comic book films like Spider-Man 2 and Hulk it has little personality, but Transformers? Seriously? At least Favreau is a competent storyteller. Bay can't manage a film between the action set-pieces and even then, he overloads them with so much pretentious (I said it) weight and slo-mo they become nauseating.

[ledfloyd]

i felt the dialogue and sense of humor was very similar to transformers. the action scenes were definitely better directed.

[Sycophant]

A friend noted that the film could've used a separate action director. A lot of American action films could, actually.

[Winston*]

I think on a basic narrative level, Transformers is one of the most inept mainstream movies I've ever seen. I finally turned it off after 90 minutes.

[origami_mustache]

At least Favreau is a competent storyteller. Bay can't manage a film between the action set-pieces and even then, he overloads them with so much pretentious (I said it) weight and slo-mo they become nauseating.

I know it sounds cliché at this point, but Bay is an abomination to cinema. I'd rather watch 2 girls and 1 cup than another one of his films.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I don't like summer blockbusters, I don't like Superhero movies, but I REALLY REALLY liked this film. Okay, maybe one less really, but enthousiasm yes! I'm filled with it. WOOT. Okay, it's probably because Robert Downey Jr. is quite possibly the awesomnest person ever, that might be it. Then again, I didn't think the film lagged when he wasn't onscreen either. I just had lots of fun. No Dark Knight though, tsk.

[ledfloyd]

can someone explain to me what seperates this movie from your average big dumb popcorn movie? cause as bad as i wanted to like it, i couldn't find anything about it at all that i didn't feel was generic. maybe the performances. but they were performing lame dialogue in a lame plot with lame direction.

i went into this expecting to love it. i didn't go in nitpicking for stuff not to like. RDJ is my favorite actor. i dunno, this just did nothing for me.

[number8]

can someone explain to me what seperates this movie from your average big dumb popcorn movie? cause as bad as i wanted to like it, i couldn't find anything about it at all that i didn't feel was generic. maybe the performances. but they were performing lame dialogue in a lame plot with lame direction.

i went into this expecting to love it. i didn't go in nitpicking for stuff not to like. RDJ is my favorite actor. i dunno, this just did nothing for me.

Well, for one, Transformers (or most superhero movies for that matter) didn't have a character arc so adamantly concurrent with relevant issues like the responsibility that comes with tech development and military industrial complex.

But let's not overbuild something. A big dumb popcorn movie done well is still a great movie. This is one of them. It doesn't need to separate itself from the pact for people to love it.

[Rowland]

Walter Chaw's review is up. http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/ironman.htm

[Wryan]

Walter Chaw's review is up. http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/ironman.htm

"...speaks volumes about the psychology of our nation at this disgusted, exhausted moment in our history."

And I'm done.

[Sycophant]

Walter Chaw's review is up. http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/ironman.htmLove it. And agree with it. This is why I read Chaw.

[number8]

Man, I hate Chaw.

[Watashi]

I'm indifferent towards Chaw, but like D'Angelo (does he still update?), he has his occasional screw looses.

[Grouchy]

can someone explain to me what seperates this movie from your average big dumb popcorn movie? cause as bad as i wanted to like it, i couldn't find anything about it at all that i didn't feel was generic. maybe the performances. but they were performing lame dialogue in a lame plot with lame direction.

i went into this expecting to love it. i didn't go in nitpicking for stuff not to like. RDJ is my favorite actor. i dunno, this just did nothing for me.
It's a big popcorn movie done with skill, love for the source material and intelligence.

[Wryan]

I like Chaw most of the time, depends really. I never liked D'Angelo. Ever.

[Raiders]

"...speaks volumes about the psychology of our nation at this disgusted, exhausted moment in our history."

And I'm done.

Shame. I thought he did a pretty good job explaining what he meant.

[Watashi]

I don't see Iron Man as being racist. After all, Iron Man is one of the few superheroes who doesn't believe in the no-kill code and will waste his opposing enemy if needed. Call it conservative, call it racist, or whatever, it's who the comics made him out to be and what makes him stand out over a similar playboy billionaire in Gotham. I don't see how Favreau could have made Stark's capture and release any different without having to apply some casualities. What was Chaw expecting? For Favreau to name and give backstories to every Afghani solider? Plus it's pretty clear that these soldiers are from a different secular group and not associated with any known groups in our current society.

I did kinda wish that Favreau would make Stark a bit more of a jackass, because he's isn't a typical likeable guy in today's comics which makes his killing method much more detestable.

[Grouchy]

Plus it's pretty clear that these soldiers are from a different secular group and not associated with any known groups in our current society.
Not only that, the name of the group makes it clear that they're setting up a Mandarin story for the sequel.

[number8]

I think Chaw missed the point entirely, actually. The fact that the "sand cave villains", as he put it, are using American technology and (SPOILERS) was partially funded by American dollars earned through military contracts with the US military should tell you something about what it is that the film's putting forth. It's the reason why they're not even the main villain of the movie (who is, instead, a white, wealthy, American corporate industrialist)--the film makes a point that Tony Stark's new missions do jack shit to fix the problems he helped to create because it's regurgitated in the system. He can blow up the weapons all he want, but it won't stop unless the whole system changes, not just the ridding opf bad guys--and the film is very much a realization of this (the climax is even a destruction of the industry's source of power).

And Chaw's last sentence: "The real insight offered by Iron Man is that, as a culture, we're no less addicted to it. iPods and Bluetooth and Summer Blockbusters that cost more than it'll take to rebuild Myanmar after ten thousand of their people are swept out to sea: looks like a job for Iron Man." is certainly asinine. The whole idea of the film is the importance of technology appropriation--bettering its application. I'm biased, of course, because I myself is the farthest you can get from a luddite so I don't see the addiction part of it, but the film clearly makes the statement that technology and machinery absolutely corrupts, and that's why a thinking human being with opposing human interaction is necessary (his ideological clashes with Jim Rhodes and Pepper Potts being the case). The film puts much Seussian emphasis in Tony Stark gaining a heart to counter the techno-fetish displayed. Heck, even the whole conceit of Iron Man being a man in a suit rather than an actual robot is metaphorical in itself.

[Watashi]

I'm surprised no one has commented on the obvious Wizard of Oz parables, or am I not just reading many reviews?

[number8]

I'm surprised no one has commented on the obvious Wizard of Oz parables, or am I not just reading many reviews?

The Tin Man thing? Didn't MSZ wrote about that? I actually saw it more of like The Grinch than Tin Man.

[Raiders]

I'm surprised no one has commented on the obvious Wizard of Oz parables, or am I not just reading many reviews?

I don't think its really worth much discussion. Isn't also kind of the opposite? He only gets a heart once he becomes the tin man, so to speak?

[SpaceOddity]

Walter Chaw's review is up. http://filmfreakcentral.net/screenreviews/ironman.htm

"The plot's only casualties save its grand fiend are nameless Afghanis"

Were they solely Afghan? Their leader was clean shaven and this defies Afghan culture. Plus, all the reported languges spoken within the group suggests more than one nationality.

*concludes with obligitary RDJ pic*

http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Iron_Man_movie/iron_man_tony_stark_robert_dow ney_jr.jpg

*covets*

[Ezee E]

I'm shocked that Chaw even worked hard enough to get a racist idea out of the movie. Ary already pointed out that they aren't even the main villains in the film.

The script isn't great, but it has ideas behind it that many summer movies never have the guts to do. It doesn't totally stick with it, because it is a summer movie, but it's nice to see that it's there.

What makes this better then most (almost all) summer movies is that the standout parts aren't even the action scenes. They seem too quick. Instead, it's watching some of the best actors/actresses in Hollywood work off each other. Hell, Downey made what should've been an annoying Jar Jar Binks character into the sweetest thing since the teddy bear in A.I. Paltrow puts humanity into a character that had Jessica Alba sexbomb written all over it. Leslie Bibb as well.

Favreau may not be a great director. But he knows that if he surrounds himself with enough talent, he won't even have to worry about it. That includes being on screen Favreau...

[Ezee E]

Oh yeah, my stomach was tearing me up again. I was able to make it to the end, but there was no way I was sitting through those credits.

Oi, I'm sick.

Luckily that small clip is on Youtube.

Anyone that thinks that is the highlight of the movie should be slapped.

[Wryan]

Shame. I thought he did a pretty good job explaining what he meant.

I was mostly kidding. I read the review, but I'm fast getting exhausted by all these films that simply have to be about our current cultural/political woes.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I was mostly kidding. I read the review, but I'm fast getting exhausted by all these films that simply have to be about our current cultural/political woes.
Intentionally or not, I think they all are. I think looking at genre films, or blockbusters often give a much clearer picture of a society's current political and cultural problems and concerns than any Oscar-baiting drama ever could. I don't agree with Chaw's personal reading of the film, as I side with number8's reading. I also don't think this should necessarily be the focus of the film in discussion or appreciation/depreciation, but it is nonetheless important. I personally have a lot of trouble condemning a film for it's presented political ideologies, perhaps because I find it fascinating, or maybe it's just because I'm generally apathetic.

[SirNewt]

"and Ang Lee's Hulk, which, let's face it, keeps improving in the rear-view"

Huh?

[Sycophant]

"and Ang Lee's Hulk, which, let's face it, keeps improving in the rear-view"

Huh?Think that he's essentially getting at the idea that Hulk has gotten better with age and more reflection, particularly in light of the subsequent comic book superhero films. I'd also imagine and hope it means he'd grant it more than two stars were he to give it another go.

[megladon8]

I'm of the mind Ang Lee's Hulk didn't need to improve much in rear-view.

With subsequent viewings and more thought, I think it's borderline masterpiece material.

[transmogrifier]

So when I heard about Ang Lee's Hulk, I was all like, "No way, comic book movies suck!", and then I heard that it was alternately the most and least faithful comic book movie ever made, and I was all like, oh, "So what?", but then I heard like no-one liked it, so I saw it and was like "You know, it wasn't so bad, apart from the totally moronic, borderline incomprehensible final 20 minutes, which seemed to be attempting the not so celebrated feat of replicating what it would be like to be shrunk down to the size of something small, like an ant or Tom Cruise, and being trapped inside a lava lamp on acid (you, not the lamp)", but then Match-Cut had one of those inexplicable urges that Match-Cut has to champion the silliest things, and now everyone's like "Yeah, Hulk!", and now I think I'm kinda back to hating on it again.

That's four years of my life I'm never gonna get back.

[megladon8]

So when I heard about Ang Lee's Hulk, I was all like, "No way, comic book movies suck!", and then I heard that it was alternately the most and least faithful comic book movie ever made, and I was all like, oh, "So what?", but then I heard like no-one liked it, so I saw it and was like "You know, it wasn't so bad, apart from the totally moronic, borderline incomprehensible final 20 minutes, which seemed to be attempting the not so celebrated feat of replicating what it would be like to be shrunk down to the size of something small, like an ant or Tom Cruise, and being trapped inside a lava lamp on acid (you, not the lamp)", but then Match-Cut had one of those inexplicable urges that Match-Cut has to champion the silliest things, and now everyone's like "Yeah, Hulk!", and now I think I'm kinda back to hating on it again.

That's four years of my life I'm never gonna get back.


Now that should be the basis for the new Hulk movie.

[Raiders]

but then Match-Cut had one of those inexplicable urges that Match-Cut has to champion the silliest things, and now everyone's like "Yeah, Hulk!", and now I think I'm kinda back to hating on it again.

So you follow up a Match-Cut urge with an equally lame urge of your own? Awesome.

[transmogrifier]

So you follow up a Match-Cut urge with an equally lame urge of your own? Awesome.

Bad day?

[Raiders]

Bad day?

Pretty good so far, actually.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I walked out of Hulk after about an hour. Ridiculous.

[transmogrifier]

I walked out of Hulk after about an hour. Ridiculous.

Well, it got worse.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Well, it got worse.

I'll never know. I'd put it in the same level of quality as The Mummy, another film I'll never finish.

[megladon8]

I'll never know. I'd put it in the same level of quality as The Mummy, another film I'll never finish.


Yikes.

[Milky Joe]

"If Batman Begins and Superman Returns capture how Americans think of themselves in their darkest, most introspective moments, Iron Man offers a glimpse into how Americans project themselves into the world as a giant, swinging, turgid dick"

I haven't seen the movie, but this is pretty funny.

[Ezee E]

"If Batman Begins and Superman Returns capture how Americans think of themselves in their darkest, most introspective moments, Iron Man offers a glimpse into how Americans project themselves into the world as a giant, swinging, turgid dick"

I haven't seen the movie, but this is pretty funny.
Americans think pretty highly of themselves if we think we're as cool as Robert Downey.

I have no problem with that.

[megladon8]

"If Batman Begins and Superman Returns capture how Americans think of themselves in their darkest, most introspective moments, Iron Man offers a glimpse into how Americans project themselves into the world as a giant, swinging, turgid dick"

I haven't seen the movie, but this is pretty funny.


Did the reviewer like or dislike the movie?

[Grouchy]

Did the reviewer like or dislike the movie?
Dislike. It's the Walter Chaw review.

[megladon8]

Dislike. It's the Walter Chaw review.


Ah.

Well, I still like the quote. It's funny.

And I could actually see it used as support for "this movie's great!", sothat's why I had to ask.

[Thirdmango]

So I'm a Marvel Whore, I just am, I don't dislike any Marvel film and I probably never will. (EDIT: I forgot about Ghost Rider, I do hate that film, and it hurts my whorish soul to admit it.) So after seeing this movie, I thought it to be cute. It's got some cool stuff, nothing to blow me away, but still I like seeing Iron Man, and RDJ is perfect for Stark. But I am really surprised at the love it's getting, I would think it would be a glossed over Marvel movie that no one really remembers, but I guess people like it which is sorta baffling to me. I'd think only fanboys would like this one.

That being said I'm glad to see there's potential out of this film for much more to come. Iron Man 2, linking the different movies together and making each hero until they can make an avengers movie with each of the stars of the films, which leads into actually a good Captain America movie. Has anyone else seen the first one? It's amazing, and atrocious all in one.

[baby doll]

Lame.

[Morris Schæffer]

Lame.


The first thing we hear is the "quiet" of the desert followed by AC/DC's "Back in Black."

This bothered me also. That opening shot of the hummers in the distance trucking along the desert was an impressive enough vista. Why can't a summer movie just set up a scene without resorting to this kind of tiresome crap? Do filmmakers automatically equate hummers and army dudes with rock music? Still, this was a minor nuisance.

[Ezee E]

This bothered me also. That opening shot of the hummers in the distance trucking along the desert was an impressive enough vista. Why can't a summer movie just set up a scene without resorting to this kind of tiresome crap? Do filmmakers automatically equate hummers and army dudes with rock music? Still, this was a minor nuisance.
....

Okay.

....

[Morris Schæffer]

....

Okay.

....

I was reminded of what Meg said in the "The Mist discussion thread." I think it was him that lauded the near absence of a soundtrack and there are times when I agree with such a pov. Yes, Iron Man is a vastly different film, but no rock music please. Or perhaps they needed the rock music to create a feeling of badasness so that audiences would be shocked when the ambush came. Either way, minor nuisance is all.