The blockbusters of the summer season have begun with IRONMAN. Directed by Jon Favreau of SWINGERS and ELF fame, this is his first big budgeted action project. Considering this is a Superhero movie the cast is filled with academy award alumni.The dialogue makes one forget that we are watching a typical superhero film. It is well written by the same people who gave us the drama CHILDREN OF MEN. The script has just enough depth to make Tony Stark (and the others) real but just enough humor to keep the subject matter entertaining. There’s plenty of funny and well timed one-liners!
The plot was well thought out and nicely adapted to current day. Smart use of Taliban-like villains and the issues touching on arms trade. Even the technical information of the suit is quite scientific. No direct explanation of the suit is given, only quick instructions within the action scenes instead of lengthy speeches of ‘how things work’.
Great use of quick introductions to future events, such as S.H.E.I.L.D,
(For the Comic geeks there is a great little surprise…but you must be patient after the end credits roll to see that!).
The cinematography was well done for a flight/fight style film such as this. Favreau surprised me with his ability to keep all the action sequences clear, and not just simply action with fast swishes. Considering this movie only had 3 main action sequences, the excitement NEVER lets up. His first flight in the suit was somewhat of a ‘TOPGUN’ style thrill.
The acting was just a pleasure to watch with all concerned. Downey Jr. was perfectly cast as the billionaire playboy genius who has a change of life purpose, but not a change of personality. He keeps us cheering for him no matter how promiscuous or cocky he gets. His banter with Gwyneth Paltrow was smoother and more enjoyable than most of the romantic comedies this year. The ever talented and very funny Jeff Bridges surprised me with his villainous and larger than life presence as Obadiah Stane/War Monger. Even the chemistry with future sidekick Jim Rhodes played by Terrence Howard was very charming. Whether they are joking about transsexual hookers or admiring the stripper pole on his private jet, these two clearly translate as great friends.
In the world of superhero movies I would like to think SPIDERMAN was Pop music; it’s catchy, wholesome, simple but fun. BATMAN was Opera; deep, dark, tragic, and masterly crafted. IRON MAN is without a doubt the 'Rock n Roll'; toe tapping, head’bangin, air guitaring, shouting along in the mosh pit FUN!
Rating: 5 COCONUTS
Pieries
TEASER
3 comments:
So is this really worth 5 coconuts or could there have been some bias on the reviewers part? Perhaps, because of the anticipation and the love for comics? I challenge the reviewers to give me an objective number of coconuts as right now i believe it to be extremely biased! :)
Didn't have high hopes going in, never heard bout the comic. but the good reviews on the internet and the fact that i had some time to kill made me watch it. it was thus suprisingly good. but 5 coconuts is a bit too much, more like 4. of course any one who is an avid fan of the comic book movie genre will obviously buy the dvd. i agree with the previous comment, there is some bias on the part of the reviewers. but it is overall quite good, compared to x-men 3 its heaven(x3 would go into the minus coconuts rating for me). btw why is there no review for speed racer?
The superhero genre is one that has NOT been taken very seriously. It has been 'comical' for the longest time.
As Sarra mentioned recent cesspools such as X3, SPIDEY 3, FANTASTIC FOUR(1&2) are so far below the standard, it is a pleasure to see something of balance.
BLADE is the one of the few Superhero movies that brought some adult action to the realm with it's R rating.
BATMAN BEGINS is 'the' one that brought some real drama to it with it's PG-13 rating.
IRON MAN cannot be compared to DIEHARD 4 action as it is a R rating movie. But it is far more mature than SPY KIDS which is also a PG rated movie.
IRON MAN did a great job keeping balance within its genre and PG rating.
Appreciate the comments Sarra and Oli, keep em coming.
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