by Biggs » April 30th 2008 8:16 am
Seen it. Short version Best Marvel Superhero Film.
Not gonna belt out a long review, because there's plently out there that sum up my thoughts just quickly though, it really is fantastic. RDJ completely and utterly steals the show, he's THE perfect actor to be playing this kinda character. The CG is totally flawless there's seriously moments where I had no idea whether it was man-in-suit or CG work. I'll tell you though, there's some close-ups of the Mark II suit which are AWE inspiringly awesome, and if that's Stan Winstones work he'll nail awards for it. It's incredible stuff.
Gwyeneth (sp?) Paltrow is sensational as Pepper Potts I was worried she was going to annoy (ala Katie Holmes/Kirsten Dunst) but she's seriously briliant and has legit chemistry with RDJ some of their scenes were lovely and like alot of indie films (and especially ones RDJ has appeared in like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) it's the small moments that Downey shines. He's just got a great charisma about him he's in top gear.
The action stuff is all there, but the beautiful part about this film is the action isn't contrived and shot hap-hazardly - where you got (espiecally with Spiderman 2 and 3) the feel of "Action set-piece here, talk here, set-piece aghain here" it's a real organic flow to it and you FEEL Tony Stark is in trouble the way the final battle is set-up you really know Stark is in trouble (ala Spiderman) it's not a mesh-mash of wall-to-wall action there's you're classic old-school "villian pauses to talk" moments which evoked Vader/Skywalker moments for me, really brilliant stuff Jeff Bridges proves once again how versatile he is and how he REALLY is "The Dude"
Just brilliant stuff from Bridges Terrance Howard bored me a little, he's kinda just there and a bit of a non-event for the movie, they're setting his character up to be more of a "thing" for the next film, which I guess is okay just kinda frustrating because he's obviously got a bit of potential.
...oh the Sam Jackson stuff is after the credits, it's pretty awesome a cool suprise coda on the filck.
The bit I liked MOST about the movie is the whole "Iron Man" moniker isn't given (or mentioned) until RIGHT near the end of the film keeping the film grounded in the Tony Stark character was inspired he doesn't become a total faceless tool in his movements, the way he flies, walks or speaks it's Tony Stark the WHOLE time, not just a flashy looking suit. I really liked those touches kept it real for me
All up, it's the most even Superhero Flick for quite some time doesn't reach the lofty (quality) highs of Batman Begins, but it nestles in a nice balance between ridiculously good fun, good acting and classy storytelling. It's really well done. It has a strong middle and ending, which Begins lacked and though the beginning is a little odd and doesn't feel 'right' in the way it opens up you kinda just go with it, because you instantly fall in love with Stark, his world and the danger you're thrown into first off the bat.
Definatly the best of the Marvel stable of superheros, ditch the Spiderman Ironman is the way to go.
8.5/10
Worth seeing more than once!