Iron Man (Ultimate 2-Disc Edition) [Blu-ray]

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Amazon.com
You know you're going to get a different kind of superhero when you cast Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role. And Iron Man is different, in welcome ways. Cleverly updated from Marvel Comics' longstanding series, Iron Man puts billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (that's Downey) in the path of some Middle Eastern terrorists; in a brilliantly paced section, Stark invents an indestructible suit that allows him to escape. If the rest of the movie never quit hits that precise rhythm again, it nevertheless offers plenty of pleasure, as the renewed Stark swears off his past as a weapons manufacturer, develops his new Iron Man suit, and puzzles both his business partner (Jeff Bridges in great form) and executive assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow). Director Jon Favreau geeks out in fun ways with the hardware, but never lets it overpower the movie, and there's always a goofy one-liner or a slapstick pratfall around to break the tension. As for Downey, he doesn't get to jitterbug around too much in his improv way, but he brings enough of his unpredictable personality to keep the thing fresh. And listen up, hardcore Marvel mavens: even if you know the Stan Lee cameo is coming, you won't be able to guess it until it's on the screen. It all builds to a splendid final scene, with a concluding line delivery by Downey that just feels absolutely right. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:   Read 140 more reviews...

Quite a few funny dialogues + Plot has depth + So-so special effects = Worth seeing.   August 27, 2008
Cestmoi
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

It has quite a few funny dialogues. The plot has depth. It shows the shortcomings of Ironman. It makes him human-like. The special effects are so-so. It's worth seeing.


Best of the Comic Book Movies   August 25, 2008
K. Combs (kansas)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

We are a large family (9 of us), and all of us enjoy superhero movies. My husband is a comic book geek, and we have all learned about the DC and Marvel universes via osmosis. In other words, we know our comic book heroes.

Ironman far outshines all other comic-based movies to date. This movie has the rare mixture of a comic book feel, great story, characters you care about, AND...NO Cheese. I was hesitant when they cast Downey for the part- I am a huge fan, but felt he would not make a good Tony Stark. I was completely wrong- Downey IS Tony Stark. Flawless. The Director was wise enough to let Downey do what he does best- ad lib. He is a natural comedian, and added just enough humor to turn an ok role into a work of art. This movie would have been average without his comedic presence.

Paltrow ended up being a good choice as well. She is like wallpaper most of the movie, present, but not overwhelming. This allows Downey to stay in the spotlight where he belongs.

I have seen ALL of the comic based movies, as well as many of the animated straight to DVD as well. Mind you, there are many other good movies. Heath Ledger was INCREDIBLE as the Joker in the latest Batman movie. However, as an overall great comic-based movie, Ironman is going to be really hard to beat as my all-time favorite.

I hope there is an Ironman sequel in the planning, and hoping they do as good a job with the Avengers as they did with this one. MArvel has stepped it up a notch. Maybe this will push DC into giving us the Justice League movie we all know they're capable of????


Heavy Metal   August 24, 2008
Michael J. Tresca (Stamford, CT USA)
It's been a long time since I've seen a movie in the movie theaters (having a one-year old will do that to you). I've scrupulously avoided any spoilers for just about every summer movie out there, although more than one reviewer has given away quite a few surprises (I'm looking at you, Entertainment Weekly). When we finally got a babysitter willing to take care of our little tyke for a few hours, we decided to given the second-run movie theater nearby a try. And that movie was Iron Man.

By now everyone knows the story of Iron Man: alcoholic weapons-merchant billionaire Tony Stark has a change of heart (literally) when shrapnel penetrates his ribcage and threatens to end his life. Instead of making weapons, Stark vows to make a power suit instead...that is loaded with weapons, but let's not quibble over details.

Iron Man is an adult's movie, which is to say it involves mature subjects like the fact that Stark is an inveterate womanizer, likes his alcohol, kills bad guys, and many of those bad guys look like Middle Eastern terrorists. All this drama is tempered by Robert Downey Jr., who rattles off quips with abandon. His keeper is Obadiah Stane (played by Jeff Bridges with suitable cranky menace). Stark's assistant is the alliterative Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), who runs the line between sweetly naive and sleekly sexy in her five-inch heels and pencil skirt.

At its best, Iron Man features Stark uses his power suit to dodge jet fighters, kill terrorists, and rescue civilians. The theater I was in didn't have very good audio, so the (presumably adlibbed) one-liners that Downey constantly tosses off were often lost in the sounds of explosions and screaming. I imagine in a bigger theater or at home this wouldn't be a problem, but the movie lost some of its charm as a result.

There are plot holes. Vanity Fair reporters show up at important news conferences. Stark seems far more interested in building a power suit than removing the shrapnel from his body. And the entire premise of Iron Man revolves around "repulsor lift" technology, which is an infinite source of energy the size of a hockey puck that defies gravity. But if you didn't buy into the notion of a man in a flying suit, what are you doing watching the movie, right?

Iron Man keeps the plot tight. Unlike Spider-Man, there are no extraneous supervillains. Unlike X-Men, every character is there for a reason. But the big payoff for Iron Man is the ending. Iron Man flips traditional superhero conventions the bird and dares you to guess what happens next. Then it leaves you begging for more.

And there IS more, if you stay for the end of the credits. Unfortunately, I didn't read enough spoilers to realize I should have waited, so we missed it. So for the three of you who haven't seen the movie yet...stick around!


Liked It!   August 23, 2008
John D. Lewis (Texas)
Like any movie, some like it and some do not. I thought it was the best comic book movie yet and I read a gazilion comics growing up in the 60's. Man I wish my Mom had not chunked all the comics that would be worth thousands now. Oh well this movie did not try to put all the artsie fartsie stuff like the first Hulk and the third and embarressing Spiderman did. Downey was excellent and looks perfect in the part.


Great edition to Comic Book movies!!!   August 22, 2008
Golden Dragon (OH)
Now this was a great movie, they did an awesome job with it and everyone I know enjoyed watching this movie. There was someone here who mentioned Full Screen. I just wanted to say Yo Dude spend for a better TV, Full screen cuts the original format and you are only seeing part of the film. And this Movie is one where you don't want to miss anything. The increase size is probably for the flying scenes where they need more room to show off the Suits abilities. This movie is Iron Man after all. (no disrespect intended) A great example of what I am talking about would be the difference between the full screen and wide screen versions of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The scene where Indy and his father are driving the motorcycle. You miss so much of the interaction between the two in the Full Screen Version. But review is about Iron Man so back to the review. The acting was great and Robert Downey Jr looks just like Stark in the comics. The suit is awesome and the special effects added nicely to the movie to help complement the scenes. This movie is worth it. If you liked the comics then you should like this movie. Just sit back an enjoy. =^_^=