Movie Review: “Iron Man” (2008)
Ah, the start of the summer blockbuster season. Is anything better?
Perhaps this year just feels better than most lately. The titles that we get this summer are just disgusting: The Dark Knight, Indiana Jones, X-Files 2, Prince Caspian, The Incredible Hulk, Hancock and of course, Iron Man.
And if the rest are as good as Iron Man was, then we’re in for a treat.
(As of this writing, it’s already estimated to have made $101 million this weekend)
First off, I just want to give some props to Jon Favreau for directing this film. He’s come a long way from Swingers, my favorite movie of all-time, and to helm a film with a budget estimated around $150 million, that’s a far cry from Swinger’s $200,000.
I think some may have even been worried about him taking on such a huge project, but no one is thinking that now. He has a smash hit on his hands, one of the best superhero movies ever. I still like Batman Begins and Spiderman 2 as my two favorite superhero movies, but Iron Man is right up there.
It’s no understatement in saying that Robert Downey Jr. is the reason this movie is successful. He IS Iron Man. His particular humor and wit are perfect in playing Tony Stark, a bazillionaire weapons manufacturer.
There are scenes during the creation of Iron Man’s “suit” where Downey is alone, talking to his robot helpers, and it would be hard seeing anyone else in that role without the same ability to entertain the audience all on his own.
I heard one reviewer say that this movie might not appeal as much to kids because of the slower development of Iron Man and the illegal weapons trading subplot. And I can see that, because it did take a good while for Iron Man to finally make his full-fledged appearance.
In fact, you really only get a few scenes with Iron Man in action. Not as much as you got perhaps in Batman Begins, or Spiderman 2, but it works here.
I loved seeing the way in which Iron Man comes about. Stark is captured by some terrorists who want him to build them a Jericho missle, but in turn he makes a very crude looking iron exoskeleton to help blast his way out.
Seeing his weapons being used by the same terrorists he thinks he’s helping fight, Stark has a change of heart once he gets back home. He decides to take the idea of his iron suit, use it to battle these enemies on his own and destroy his weapons.
One thing I was blown away by in this movie was the special effects. Top-notch. Ultra awesome. When Stark is making his Iron Man suit in his shop, the computers he uses are insane. Holograms that you can insert your arm inside and move around. Robots that help him out. Multi-monitors that connect to flat-table screens that in turn project upwards in 3D.
It was sick.
The supporting cast was also superb. Gwyneth Paltrow was great in her role as Pepper Potts, Stark’s assistant. They have some great scenes together, there affection for each other evident.
Jeff Bridges plays the bad guy, and with a huge beard and shaved head, he fit the part to a T. Terrance Howard, although in a somewhat small role, did an admirable job.
In fact, I really have no quibbles with the film other than the end. It’s not really a spoiler to give away that Iron Man will be involved in a bit fight before the end. Pretty much every superhero movie ends this way.
But this one just left me wishing there had been a bit more. I’ll let you decide if it was missing anything.
Still, the very, very end of the film, right before the credits roll, totally capture the man who is Tony Stark and how different he is from other superheroes we’ve seen lately. And I loved it.
Oh yeah, and as Jason wrote a few days ago, do not miss the ending credits to Iron Man. You have to wait a bit, but STICK AROUND. I saw so many people leaving the theater early on Friday, and I wanted to yell at them all to sit in their seats so they could see the end.
That little treat makes me pumped for a potential sequel, which after $101 million opening box office weekend, is definitely going to happen.
Mike’s Rating: 9 out of 10
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Mike, great write-up. Looking forward to seeing this film. Seems weird to see Downey playing a superhero, but it sounds like it works.
You’re absolutly right…Downey was great in those monologue scenes with the robots…honestly, i hadn’t really thought about them much…way to notice that.
also, it will be interesting to see what Jon Fevrue does next…will he do the sequel, or something totally different?
@ Kory - Yeah, I have to say I thought the same thing until I read Civil War and saw what Tony Stark was like in the comics, and he’s like exactly Robert Downey.
@ RC - Looks like Favreau is going to be in Four Christmases as an actor later this year, and is writing two other films that are in development.
But I’m pretty sure there will be two sequels to this.
Ironman RAWKED!! Great writeup Mo!! Downy was simply awesome in his part, the tech in the movie was saw-wheat, and the effects made you double take, simply awesome!!!
Super rating, I’m so glad you enjoyed too.. see The Capn knows what hes talking about… some of the time
I saw it again today, and told about 10 people to sit and wait for the end credits…
It got some good ratings and they were right. This was a way cool movie!
Basement Ideass last blog post..TURN YOUR BASEMENT INTO A POKER ROOM
Yeah, when people were leaving during the credits I was thinking “they have no idea what they’re about to miss.”
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Everyone I’ve talked to that’s seen this one loves it. Can’t wait to check it out.
Scotty Dubs last blog post..Casual Dress Friday; Mr Mom
I thought it was good too. It starts pretty dark with the terrorism plot, but it has it’s lighter moments too with the building of the Iron Man suit. RDJ is talented enough to pull off both spectrums effectively.
I haven’t seen it yet, but probably will.
I am still having a hard time picturing Downey as a superhero, but that picture you have of him working on whatever he is working on has started changing my mind. Look at those arms! No normal scientist has arms like that! 
Iron Man was practically flawless as a super hero flick; it drops pretty obvious hints that would indicate a sequel as well… i’m thinking the next one should be equally great
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Okay, well, this is mostly for the Cap’n, but Ana and I finally got to see Iron Man. I gotta say, it was really good. I have to agree with those who put it up there as one of the best superhero movies ever. It had its little flaws, but I’m more than willing to forgive a few little things in order to enjoy a superhero movie.
Looks like I won’t be asking for my money back. It’s too bad too, we bought a $4 drink…
By the way, I think Ana enjoyed it more than I did. She was cheering and clapping and telling people to stay after the movie ended. I think we’ve created a monster!
Woo Hoo!!!! I’m all grins!!! I’m so glad it didnt let you down and lived up to the hype!! LOL Ana…. way to go!!!!!
Way to go Ana!
Thanks!
I told this one guy who was sitting behind us to stay. He said, “oh really?” then kept walking. He waited at the bottom of the stairs for a little while before leaving. I think his kid got restless.
I didn’t know the story of Iron Man. I am mostly a mainstream superhero kind of girl. (Superman, Batman, Spiderman) So it was really interesting to see the beginning of his story. I really liked the fact that he battled international villains instead of just sticking to his hometown. Plus, he’s REALLY smart. Brains are sexy!
What do you see in Jason then?
You should see his SAT scores.
You should have seen my SAT scores this weekend…I SAT around all day Saturday and it was NICE!
SA what now?
shh! I’m trying to make you look good!
Need to try harder
LOL!
thanks for taking up the cause Ana!!! I’m going a lil Ironman nuts at my house, I’m shamelessly stealing your guys’s various pics of Ironman for my PC wallpaper, you guys amaze me , I cant find these anywhere else…
I always like the crowds reaction at the end of the credits, it tells me what other nerds there are once he said The Avenger Initiative…. thanks Jason for taking Ana to see it!!! (unless it was the other way around… )
@ Cap’n: You talking about using the pics for your wallpaper…I pictured you blowing them up to fit your living room wall! LOL!
As for who took whom: My mom offered to babysit Makenzie so we could see a movie. There was no other option but Iron Man. I didn’t even ask what movie we were going to see.
Leave it to POPCRITICS to have the best and rarest pictures on the web.