When billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is kidnapped in Afghanistan and forced to build a deadly weapon, he instead constructs a bulletproof super suit to escape his captors.
On his return to America, Stark vows "to protect all those he has put in harm's way". He updates the suit’s specs then paints it a cool shade of red and gold. One test flight later and a new superhero is born.
If you do not know who Iron Man is, what he does, who is in the film or why you should care then, by all means, go back to your cave and have another kip.
This is the picture release for the first half of 2008. If it wasn't for that archaeologist fella and his whip, this is all you would be talking about.
They say:
Empire: "A minor disappointment, thankfully not crushing enough to drain us of anticipation for future instalments."
Total Film: "Missing the myth spinning splendour and heft of a Spidey 2 or X2 or Batman Begins."
Variety: "A classy refitting of an overworked format."
We say:
'The Invincible' Iron Man, based on a lesser known comic book by Marvel, has been so eagerly awaited even old ladies down the bus shelter are talking about it.
It's doubtful they will see it though, unless they confuse actor Terrence Howard with Trevor Howard. This movie is far better suited to the sugared up '12' year old age group on the poster. It's a real blitz - silly and colourful, yet not without its smarts.
As events begin literally with a bang, incarcerated playboy Tony Stark has more to cope with than his own guns pointed in his face and a car battery for a pacemaker.
Not as cocky as he implies, with his confident Dean Martin repartee and borderline drink problem - inside, deep down, Stark is a conflicted noble waiting for his calling. When he eventually takes the bait and 'suits up' proper in his Californian beach house for the first time, we not only believe it, we want it.
Stark's infusion with the Iron Man ensemble is a technical wonder. The red and gold uniform encapsulates its wearer in a fortress of titanium alloy. Clunking round his vital organs, wiring into his heart - it is difficult to tell where the mechanism stops and the person begins.
Downey Jr is similar to his troubled character in that he is almost too good for the film. He makes acting look so easy, like a comfy jacket he casually slips on for the scene. Thankfully Philadelphia thick passages of redemption are sparse too. Most of the dialogue is sharp and, considering the script’s theme of 'accepting your calling', not overly preachy.
With such an enticing motivation to change, Stark is potentially wasted on wide eyed adolescents. An arms dealer's conscience is of less interest to them than his shiny cyborg alter ego whizzing about the skies like a popped balloon.
Sadly the finale’s big machine bust up stretches implausibility a little too thin. Stark flying is one thing, but his colossal metallic nemesis climbing any higher than a stepladder is utter hokum.
Iron Man may be too stupid for adults and a mite slow for kids. Yet with Downey Jr's magnetism and some exciting CGI, it still rocks hard enough for both.
CAST
Gwyneth Paltrow
Jeff Bridges
Robert Downey Jr
Terrence Howard
DIRECTOR
Jon Favreau
TIME
126 mins
POSTED...
Tue 13 May at 9:45am
