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[Marvel Movie] Iron Man

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Xerobull, Aug 1, 2007.

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A_3PO Member

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Jeremiah said:

Review over at Aintitcoolnews.com:

link

Hey, everyone. “Moriarty” here.

Oh, Favs, you did it this time.

IRON MAN is grown-up fun, a rare thing these days. It’s escapism, no doubt about it, and it’s light as air for most of its running time, even with a surprisingly high body count and a rough-and-tumble aesthetic. This is not, however, a kid’s movie, and that is such a welcome discovery that IRON MAN seems even greater than it would if it were just another kid-friendly superhero film.

Marvel Studios makes a hell of a debut with this film, and if they can put together creative teams that take their characters this seriously each and every time they make a film, then they could very well eclipse the work they did with the other major studios, proving that they were right to step back and take control of their own properties once again.

From the opening frames of the film, IRON MAN is confident, cocky, and slick, just like Tony Stark. And, yes, everything you’ve heard about the casting of Robert Downey Jr. is true. It’s an insanely good fit between actor and character, and right away, he’s making you laugh and he’s suggesting such a great history for Tony with every line, and as the opening sequence plays out, you get it all quickly. By the time the actual title appears onscreen, you will be sure that you’re not seeing “just another superhero film.” I can’t think of a single one that starts like this, or that sets a tone like this right away. It’s not James Bond. It’s not ROBOCOP or THE ROCKETEER. It’s not SPIDER-MAN or BATMAN BEGINS. But it’s certainly got elements of all them, digested and then organically reconstituted into something fresh. IRON MAN has its own vibe, and that’s what I responded to the most. This is a movie with a pulse. It may be “summer product,” but it’s far more than that, too. It’s pop art writ large, populated with great actors who all understand exactly what they’re doing. And Favreau, who has been growing with each film as a director, has finally put it all together here. If you wondered whether he was really a comic geek or if he’s just doing this because it’s a blockbuster, you’ll know the answer by the end of the film. This is a film born of pure geek love, and that’s why it works.

Some people are complaining that this is an origin story. That’s sort of true, but it’s not an “origin” the way we’re used to seeing them. There’s no mystical accident. There’s no prophecy about Tony being the chosen one. There’s no magic powers given to him by outside forces. This is just the moment where Tony Stark grows a conscience and decides to contribute something to the world instead of just taking from it. Although he’s brilliant, he is a man of inherited wealth and power, and what we see here is the event that leads him to define himself instead of just playing the role he was born into. Robert Downey Jr. has had a fascinating career, defined as much by what he’s done off-screen as on, and there’s something intoxicating about seeing him step up and become the MOVIE STAR that he’s always had the potential to be. He gives Stark a soul, and even at his most glib, there’s a grounded reality to what he does that makes us believe in this world.

He’s helped by Terrence Howard as Jim Rhodes, the liason between the Pentagon and Stark Industries, and by Pepper Potts, his personal assistant played with wit and glamour by Gwenyth Paltrow, who looks like she walked out of a ‘40s romantic comedy. He believes that Obidiah Stane is also helping him, and Jeff Bridges embraces this bad-guy role, seeming to delight in every terrible thing the film allows him to do. It’s no big secret to say that Stane is the bad guy of the film, but the way the film’s structured, he doesn’t start off as the obvious villain. Instead, Bridges brings his A-game to the film as well, and as a result, both Stark and Stane are given more depth than you’d expect. Anyone less substantial than Bridges might not fare as well opposite Downey, but Bridges refuses to get overshadowed here. He can turn on the charm at times, but when he amps up the menace, he’s scary, and he’s one of the reasons I would not bring younger viewers to see the film. Once he finally reveals his true nature, the film starts to play very, very rough, and I think they skirt the fine line between the PG-13 and the R expertly. Clark Gregg also does some great work as Agent Phil Coulson, and I like how his true nature is only gradually revealed, leading to one of the great payoffs in the movie for fans.

ILM’s work here, combined with Stan Winston’s work, is just as seamless as when they teamed up for JURASSIC PARK in 1993. There are many sequences where I’m not exactly sure what is what. Could be practical. Could be CGI. Beats me, and frankly, I don’t care. By the end of the film, I believed in IRON MAN. I believed that he could exist in our world. And that he would make it better if he did.

Matthew Libatique’s cinematography is rich and colorful, but they’re not trying for a hyperreality like we’ve seen in many of the superhero films. Instead, he gives things a rough-hewn realistic look, very matter-of-fact, and it’s the exact right choice. I wish Hans Zimmer’s score wasn’t so cookie-cutter. We have yet to hear a truly great Marvel hero theme in any of their films. I don’t think SPIDER-MAN or X-MEN or FANTASTIC FOUR or HULK or DAREDEVIL or even BLADE had a theme that really stands out the way the 1978 SUPERMAN theme did or the way the Burton BATMAN theme did. That’s a shame, because in every other way, this is an iconic movie. Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby and Art Marcum & Matt Holloway have done a tremendous job distilling decades worth of comic characters and storylines into an original piece that manages to pay tribute to many different eras of Iron Man storytelling without feeling the need to “shake it up.” Instead, they’ve cherry-picked the best stuff, carefully putting it all together in a way that should please almost every fan, while never once drowning the film in complicated continuity that would keep a new viewer at arm’s length.

Yes, there are some great nods to comic history, and yes, there are some very sly suggestions about what to expect from future installments in this series (and there will be many, many more... you can be sure of that), but even if you’ve never read anything with Iron Man in it, those moments will play for you, too, because this film is careful to give you everything you need to enjoy it. I like that the script isn’t about some threat that’s about to blow up the entire world, or some villain who is about to topple the US government, or some giant cosmic threat. Instead, it’s a fairly personal story that boils down to a wrestling match over control of a multi-billion-dollar corporation. Doesn’t sound like the most interesting engine, but keeping it simple means that more energy can be focused on Tony himself and the journey he takes as he figures out what to do with his awesome new invention. It’s a fairly lean adventure, and now, groundwork laid, they’re free to explore the larger world that is only hinted at in this film. I appreciated the fact that Stark doesn’t pull his punches as he deals with the bad guys in this movie. It’s violent and scary at times, and Stark doesn’t have the same sort of white-black moral code as someone like Batman. He has no problem with killing someone who deserves to be killed, and that startled me.

When he tears into the organization run by Raza (Faran Tahir), it’s brutal and unapologetic. It’s also one hell of an exciting sequence. In the end, I don’t want to indulge in hyperbole by calling this “perfect” or “flawless” or an “instant classic.” I think it’ll be a word-of-mouth hit all summer long, and for every film that comes out and disappoints, I think that’s another ticket sold to IRON MAN as people go back and show their friends and just watch it again for their own pleasure. And I think it’ll be a movie that sells Blu-Ray players when it’s released later in the year. Whatever the case, I’m satisfied, and it’s nice to feel like a film treats you with respect rather than disdain, especially as the kick-off to what looks like a very fun summer. IRON MAN knocked me flat tonight... and I loved it.

Thanks, Marvel. Keep it up.

Click to expand...

Great news! I'm very biased, but Iron Man/Tony Stark has much more potential than the Spider-Man/Peter Parker story.

#61 A_3PO, Apr 30, 2008

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Believe it or not, Drew "Moriarty" McWeeny is a working screenwriter (and WGA member).

He co-wrote a couple of those "Masters of Horror" episodes on Showtime, IIRC.

#62 mrpaige, Apr 30, 2008
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I've seen the movie. It's alright - entertaining enough, but nothing special, I thought. Clearly set up for a sequel, though.

#63 AroundTheWorld, Apr 30, 2008
Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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justtxyank said:

Iron Man is definitely not all powerful, and would get crushed by Superman in a nano-second.

Iron Man is easy to establish villains for. He is super strong yes, but not at the Hulk's or Superman's level. He's basically Batman in a powersuit. You can have handheld weapons that can hurt him, super strong badguys, magical enemies, etc.

The Superman character is a little dull to me because he is stronger than anyone who can oppose him except for Doomsday and God like entities, plus, he's totally immune to all energy except magic. On top of that he can travel faster than the speed of sound, shoots energy beams out of his eyes, can hear everything, see everything, needs no food, water, or rest....AHHHHH!!!

The idea of him battling a smart millionaire who's only real hope is to somehow use a rock against him is pathetic. They should do a dark (as opposed to corny) version of the Doomsday saga. That could be intense. I've seen the animated flick and it was decent for a cartoon. (people actually died!)

Anyway, I can't wait to Ironman. I hope it rocks.
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I agree with everything you say. Iron Man is Marvel's equivalent of Batman. Tony Stark to Bruce Wayne. What you said about Superman can be applied to all Marvel characters. Its what set Marvel apart. Their hero's have flaws, shortcomings, etc... Stark has a bad heart. Spiderman is a nerd. X-Men are outcasts. With that simple foundation Marvel is just so much more appealing that DC IMO.

#64 Ziggy, Apr 30, 2008
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Ziggy said:

I agree with everything you say. Iron Man is Marvel's equivalent of Batman. Tony Stark to Bruce Wayne. What you said about Superman can be applied to all Marvel characters. Its what set Marvel apart. Their hero's have flaws, shortcomings, etc... Stark has a bad heart. Spiderman is a nerd. X-Men are outcasts. With that simple foundation Marvel is just so much more appealing that DC IMO.
Click to expand...

By a mile!

#65 A_3PO, Apr 30, 2008
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Ziggy said:

I agree with everything you say. Iron Man is Marvel's equivalent of Batman. Tony Stark to Bruce Wayne. What you said about Superman can be applied to all Marvel characters. Its what set Marvel apart. Their hero's have flaws, shortcomings, etc... Stark has a bad heart. Spiderman is a nerd. X-Men are outcasts. With that simple foundation Marvel is just so much more appealing that DC IMO.
Click to expand...

On top of being flawed, they aren't all powerful. I like the DC characters that are also not all powerful, but for the most part, they are generally way over powered. They can move planets, stop black holes, etc. LOL it's just ridiculous.

#66 justtxyank, Apr 30, 2008
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I don't think most of you have read a DC character in a long, long time. Most of the generalizations you guys are using don't actually apply anymore.

But, in reality, I believe in one simple fact; any character can be a great read in the hands of a good writer.

#67 Coach AI, Apr 30, 2008

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I saw a screening tonight. I had a really good time and was very impressed with what they did. Robert Downey Jr. was fantastic. Special Fx were subtle but realistic. The armor and designs were amazing and the audience really got into it. I don't often see movies twice, but I may catch this one again with my friends this weekend.

I've seen all the superhero movies, but this one is in a whole different league compared to the other Marvel movies.

#68 nyquil82, Apr 30, 2008
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Ziggy said:

I agree with everything you say. Iron Man is Marvel's equivalent of Batman. Tony Stark to Bruce Wayne.
Click to expand...

The Punisher is Marvel's version of Batman. No powers, uses gadgets, family was killed, dark and brooding, uses fear as a weapon.

Iron Man and Batman have exactly two things in common - they are both rich, inheriting wealth from their industrialist fathers, and they are both heroes without superpowers. Iron Man fights super powered villains like the Hulk, Mandarin, etc. Batman fights crazy thieves like Two-face and the Joker. Batman is a loner (sometimes taking on a "ward") that will lend a hand to the Justice League. Iron Man is a natural team builder, primarily responsible for the founding of the Avengers. Batman's suit has limited armor and can allow him to glide. He doesn't do much that modern technology couldn't duplicate. Iron Man's suit let's him fly and shoot lasers and lift 90 tons. Batman has impeccable character - he breaks the law, but he adheres strictly to a code of honor. Iron Man cuts corners, makes morally ambiguous choices, and even flies around drunk in his suit.

#69 StupidMoniker, Apr 30, 2008
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StupidMoniker said:

The Punisher is Marvel's version of Batman. No powers, uses gadgets, family was killed, dark and brooding, uses fear as a weapon.

Iron Man and Batman have exactly two things in common - they are both rich, inheriting wealth from their industrialist fathers, and they are both heroes without superpowers. Iron Man fights super powered villains like the Hulk, Mandarin, etc. Batman fights crazy thieves like Two-face and the Joker. Batman is a loner (sometimes taking on a "ward") that will lend a hand to the Justice League. Iron Man is a natural team builder, primarily responsible for the founding of the Avengers. Batman's suit has limited armor and can allow him to glide. He doesn't do much that modern technology couldn't duplicate. Iron Man's suit let's him fly and shoot lasers and lift 90 tons. Batman has impeccable character - he breaks the law, but he adheres strictly to a code of honor. Iron Man cuts corners, makes morally ambiguous choices, and even flies around drunk in his suit.
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Nerd...

Just kidding, I'm a big Marvel's fan myself.

#70 CharlieMurphy, Apr 30, 2008
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95% on rottentomatoes.com after 74 reviews

#71 ClutchCityReturns, May 1, 2008
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k this settles it after seeing the initial reviews i am leaving work early tomorrow to watch this movie so i can leave my evening free for the rockets game

#72 The_Yoyo, May 1, 2008
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81 on metacritic. green light.

#73 g1184, May 1, 2008

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saw it last night. it rocked. there were some cheesy lines and parts of the plot was derivative (in order for the action to continue) but overall, it was a pretty good story and the effects were pretty good.

#74 cur.ve, May 1, 2008
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MAKE SURE YOU STAY TIL THE CREDITS ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#75 Oski2005, May 1, 2008
Ziggy QUEEN ANON

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Oski2005 said:

MAKE SURE YOU STAY TIL THE CREDITS ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the warning. Walked out on X3 a tad too early.

#76 Ziggy, May 1, 2008
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Just saw this movie last night and it was FRICKIN BAD ASSSSSSSSSSS!!!!! Easily comparable to Spidey 2 (which IMO is the best of the 3 so far). It had no corniness and was straight to the point.

I don't think I can say enough about how great Robert Downey Jr. was for this role. THANK GOD Tom "psycho" Cruise didn't get this role. Can you imagine how short Ironman would be if he got the part? hahahaha!

Btw can someone spoiler what happens at the end of the credits? I was gonna stay but all my friends left as soon as the credits hit. I definitely would see this again.

#77 Yaozer, May 1, 2008
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Oski2005 said:

MAKE SURE YOU STAY TIL THE CREDITS ARE OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

We were dumbasses and left near the end of the credits. A friend of mine who saw it at another theater told me what I missed and I am PISSED OFF!!! I'd heard they cut that scene, but I guess it was in there after all.

I'll have to sneak into another showing of Iron Man when I see Indy 4 in a few weeks.

#78 count_dough-ku, May 1, 2008

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Saw it tonight and I can say that after Batman Begins it's the best super hero movie out there (until Dark Knight comes out).

After Credits Spoiler: Stark walks into his house and sees Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and Nick tells him if he's heard of the "Avenger initiative". sets up the sequel. really interesting.

#79 farrisdabis, May 2, 2008
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farrisdabis said:

After Credits Spoiler
Click to expand...

This board does have a spoiler tag.

#80 hooroo, May 2, 2008

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