Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark), Terrence Howard (Col. Rhodes), Jeff Bridges (Obadiah), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper)
Directed by Jon Favreau (Elf)
IMDB: When wealthy industrialist Tony Stark is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident, he ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil.
Keven and I actually saw this on the Fourth of July, our first movie date since seeing 300 way back in March of 2007. That's a serious theatrical dry spell. And I must say, movie theaters are much more disgusting than I remember them being. I must be getting old, because I used to think the cool darkness was inviting and cozy--now all I can think about is what that darkness is hiding, with regard to a lack of cleanliness.
Sorry. Yes. Movie.
I loved it. If Robert Downey Jr. keeps being ironic and self-aware, I might have to go out and develop a crush on him. He's always been insanely charming, but in that way a crazy homeless guy can be charming--but still crazy, homeless, and way too dangerous to consort with.
His performance made this movie. The special effects were great--this fantastic combination of live action and "doesn't make me go batshit" CGI--and the script was witty and well-paced, but Downey's delivery and wry expressions made it sparkle. But part of the appeal is his reputation. We as viewers bring to the movie a sense that Downey is very much like Tony Stark: a little lost, a thrill-seeker, brilliant, lonely, self-destructive, scary, selfish, sarcastic, intense yet strangely low key, and ultimately redeemable. It's post-modern casting!
Other than his connection to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the fact he was a rich genius, not embodied with any supernatural powers, I knew nothing about the character of Tony Stark. The advantage was that this explanation of how he became Iron Man worked for me. I liked the Middle East modernization; it was topical without being preachy or belittling. I cannot know whether or not it works for other die hard fans of the comic book, but I liked it a great deal.
My only problem was the character of Yinsen, who was trapped in the cave with Tony and acted as the hit-me-over-the-head moral center of Tony's rebirth. Really heavy-handed. He was the only part of the script that make me think less of the movie overall.
Jeff Bridges used to be so cute. Now not so much. I blame The Dude.
I liked seeing Tim Guinee, even if only to ask Terrence Howard questions. Not exactly the star role he deserves, but it's a living. I also appreciated Gwyneth Paltrow's screen return. She played Pepper Potts as an interesting blend of patience, intellect, and ditzy over-eagerness, and I seriously wanted to mug her and steal her shoes. Again, it worked for me. I love when movies do that.
I'm looking forward to Dark Knight so they can rumble in my head for Best Comic Book Movie of the Year.
Directed by Jon Favreau (Elf)
IMDB: When wealthy industrialist Tony Stark is forced to build an armored suit after a life-threatening incident, he ultimately decides to use its technology to fight against evil.
Keven and I actually saw this on the Fourth of July, our first movie date since seeing 300 way back in March of 2007. That's a serious theatrical dry spell. And I must say, movie theaters are much more disgusting than I remember them being. I must be getting old, because I used to think the cool darkness was inviting and cozy--now all I can think about is what that darkness is hiding, with regard to a lack of cleanliness.
Sorry. Yes. Movie.
I loved it. If Robert Downey Jr. keeps being ironic and self-aware, I might have to go out and develop a crush on him. He's always been insanely charming, but in that way a crazy homeless guy can be charming--but still crazy, homeless, and way too dangerous to consort with.
His performance made this movie. The special effects were great--this fantastic combination of live action and "doesn't make me go batshit" CGI--and the script was witty and well-paced, but Downey's delivery and wry expressions made it sparkle. But part of the appeal is his reputation. We as viewers bring to the movie a sense that Downey is very much like Tony Stark: a little lost, a thrill-seeker, brilliant, lonely, self-destructive, scary, selfish, sarcastic, intense yet strangely low key, and ultimately redeemable. It's post-modern casting!
Other than his connection to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the fact he was a rich genius, not embodied with any supernatural powers, I knew nothing about the character of Tony Stark. The advantage was that this explanation of how he became Iron Man worked for me. I liked the Middle East modernization; it was topical without being preachy or belittling. I cannot know whether or not it works for other die hard fans of the comic book, but I liked it a great deal.
My only problem was the character of Yinsen, who was trapped in the cave with Tony and acted as the hit-me-over-the-head moral center of Tony's rebirth. Really heavy-handed. He was the only part of the script that make me think less of the movie overall.
Jeff Bridges used to be so cute. Now not so much. I blame The Dude.
I liked seeing Tim Guinee, even if only to ask Terrence Howard questions. Not exactly the star role he deserves, but it's a living. I also appreciated Gwyneth Paltrow's screen return. She played Pepper Potts as an interesting blend of patience, intellect, and ditzy over-eagerness, and I seriously wanted to mug her and steal her shoes. Again, it worked for me. I love when movies do that. I'm looking forward to Dark Knight so they can rumble in my head for Best Comic Book Movie of the Year.
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