The One and Only IRON MAN reviews thread!
05-04-08, 03:29 AM
#152
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Originally Posted by shoppingbear
You're kidding me, right? The minute I saw that it was Jeff Bridges with a shaved head, my "oh, he must be the hidden villain" detector went off. I called it from the magazine cover montage on the screen at the awards ceremony (let's see, mogul starts company, gets loyal sidekick, gets killed, son is too young so sidekick runs company, until son gets old enough and takes company back from sidekick... and duh, the sidekick is going to "go bad" and try to take company back), and it just got worse. Besides, that's about his character, which I didn't have a problem with. I was talking about the "someone must have owed someone a favor" casting of Bridges IN that role. I don't think Jeff Bridges can do a bad guy... he seems too soft... even his voice sounds soft, not angry or gritty or "evil". Just the wrong choice for the job.
05-04-08, 03:32 AM
#153
Senior Member
Originally Posted by shoppingbear
You're kidding me, right? The minute I saw that it was Jeff Bridges with a shaved head, my "oh, he must be the hidden villain" detector went off. I called it from the magazine cover montage on the screen at the awards ceremony (let's see, mogul starts company, gets loyal sidekick, gets killed, son is too young so sidekick runs company, until son gets old enough and takes company back from sidekick... and duh, the sidekick is going to "go bad" and try to take company back), and it just got worse. Besides, that's about his character, which I didn't have a problem with. I was talking about the "someone must have owed someone a favor" casting of Bridges IN that role. I don't think Jeff Bridges can do a bad guy... he seems too soft... even his voice sounds soft, not angry or gritty or "evil". Just the wrong choice for the job.
05-04-08, 03:36 AM
#154
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I agree about Bridges. He played it great. And he really nailed the voice when he screamed at his scientist for not matching Stark's genius. "And he built it in a cave... OUT OF SCRAPS!!!"
05-04-08, 04:35 AM
#155
Banned by request
Originally Posted by Son of Odin
an unheard of 94% fresh at rotten tomatoes.
Originally Posted by Son of Odin
word of mouth has it as the best comic book film to date. word of mouth.
A: X-Men 2, Spider-Man 2, Batman Begins, 300
B: Iron Man, Hellboy, X-Men, Sin City, Superman Returns, Spider-Man
C: Fantastic Four 1/2, Spider-Man 3
D: Punisher, X-Men 3
F: Ghost Rider
05-04-08, 07:10 AM
#157
DVD Talk Legend
I watched it last night and thought it was great. Robert Downey Jr. is the main reason why anyone should be watching this film. I was surprised how well this movie was able to blend the humour and violence together.
The only downer is that I didn't stay after the credits to watch the cameo.
The only downer is that I didn't stay after the credits to watch the cameo.
05-04-08, 07:33 AM
#158
DVD Talk Legend
extremely tight and satisfying movie, especially considering most superhero "origin" flicks are usually bloated sluggish affairs. Downey Jr was fantastic... didn't think there was ever a wasted scene or moment on film... it all seemed "necessary", ya know? I just hope Downey Jr. doesn't "relapse", pull a Ledger or go off to jail, and cut this franchise short prematurely.
05-04-08, 08:09 AM
#159
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Great movie - a lot of fun. It is a top tier superhero movie up there with only Spiderman 2 and Hellyboy for me.
My only complaint was the lack of respect for momentum at times.
My only complaint was the lack of respect for momentum at times.
05-04-08, 09:58 AM
#160
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Suprmallet
Don't some movies have 100% on Rotten Tomatoes?
05-04-08, 10:35 AM
#161
DVD Talk Special Edition
I thought Iron Man was good. I think the fact that the movie was good rests solely on the performance of Downey. His charisma carried the film. All of the other characters were pretty flat and I never really "cared" for them. That's what BB and Spidey 2 did so well. Plus, I never felt that Iron Man was ever in any imminent danger. I remember thinking during the F-22s (?) scene, "Wow, this music sucks." Not good for an action sequence.
I guessed Bridges was the villain once I saw the magazine cover at the beginning. I was just waiting for his true colors to show. His dialogue and acting on the rooftop fighting Iron Man was pretty bad. Maybe I was expecting something more than "oh you destroyed my targeting system that's why I can't hit you." It just seemed trite. No where near the level of Alfred Molina or even Cilian Murphy's performances.
I put this on on the tier w/ Hellboy, Spider-Man, and Sin City.
I guessed Bridges was the villain once I saw the magazine cover at the beginning. I was just waiting for his true colors to show. His dialogue and acting on the rooftop fighting Iron Man was pretty bad. Maybe I was expecting something more than "oh you destroyed my targeting system that's why I can't hit you." It just seemed trite. No where near the level of Alfred Molina or even Cilian Murphy's performances.
I put this on on the tier w/ Hellboy, Spider-Man, and Sin City.
05-04-08, 11:14 AM
#162
DVD Talk Hero
Originally Posted by Sessa17
Liked the movie a lot, but unlike the seemingly unanimous raving reviews here, I did have quite a lot of problems with it.
For one, yet again we get more Hollywood liberal messages thrown at us again, it was like the studios just can't resist any chance they get. It wasn't as over the top as so many other films, but it is clearly there in Iron Man.
Two, I was just taken out of the fantasy, fun, of the film any time Paltow was on screen. There is just zero chemistry, & Paltrow, IMO is the worste actress to ever win an Oscar, just was so static, & bland, on screen next to Downy whose presence & charm are as large as the films special effects.
Three, I'm schocked by all the praise for Favreu in this thread. IMO his directing held the film back tremendously. Zero imagination, the shots jumped way, way to quick, there is such a lack of patience with his directing. There just weren't enough really classic, awe-inspiring moments. The best scene in the film, was when Iron Man goes into Afgahnastan, but Favreu never lingers on the moments long enough, never lets the audience take in what is happening, or gives us any iconic supehero posing. It's just quick action, then next scene.
Four, the score & movie was attrocious, I though at times in felt like the music to a Sci-Fi made for TV movie.
Five, thought the fight at the end was drawn out wayyyyy to long, again, very much lacked creativity, with the stupic cop-out ending, lack the first X-men movie had, with just a odd explosion happening that happens to instantly kill/stop the bad guy, yet leave all good guys unharmed.
And finally from my own dorky perspective. Did not like at all Howard as Rhodes, another horriblty overrated actor, again just zero dynamic or chemistry on film, & the dorking out to
for me is completely lost IMO b/c the entire thrill of comic book movies for fans, is seeing characters you know & have grown with come to life on the big screen. Jackson is not Nick Fury, I can't stand the Utlitmate Universe. And like Jackson in star wars, I can't stand him in these roles, b/c I never see the character. I just see Sam Jackson with an eye-patch. Much like I can't stand Morgan Freeman in Batman.
For one, yet again we get more Hollywood liberal messages thrown at us again, it was like the studios just can't resist any chance they get. It wasn't as over the top as so many other films, but it is clearly there in Iron Man.
Two, I was just taken out of the fantasy, fun, of the film any time Paltow was on screen. There is just zero chemistry, & Paltrow, IMO is the worste actress to ever win an Oscar, just was so static, & bland, on screen next to Downy whose presence & charm are as large as the films special effects.
Three, I'm schocked by all the praise for Favreu in this thread. IMO his directing held the film back tremendously. Zero imagination, the shots jumped way, way to quick, there is such a lack of patience with his directing. There just weren't enough really classic, awe-inspiring moments. The best scene in the film, was when Iron Man goes into Afgahnastan, but Favreu never lingers on the moments long enough, never lets the audience take in what is happening, or gives us any iconic supehero posing. It's just quick action, then next scene.
Four, the score & movie was attrocious, I though at times in felt like the music to a Sci-Fi made for TV movie.
Five, thought the fight at the end was drawn out wayyyyy to long, again, very much lacked creativity, with the stupic cop-out ending, lack the first X-men movie had, with just a odd explosion happening that happens to instantly kill/stop the bad guy, yet leave all good guys unharmed.
And finally from my own dorky perspective. Did not like at all Howard as Rhodes, another horriblty overrated actor, again just zero dynamic or chemistry on film, & the dorking out to
Spoiler:
05-04-08, 11:37 AM
#163
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by scott1598
RDJ is this movie; as well as, Jeff Bridges. i thought he was great as the villian. subtle and not over the top as he could and many others have portrayed baddies. but, RDJ is just such an "at-ease" with his craft actor that i feel he could do anything now. he is so effervescent. he owns every scene, but doesn't over-indulge at just how good he is in the role. i even thought Paltrow was palpable and Terence Howard i always love.
Originally Posted by scott1598
one casting decision i did not agree with was Jon Favreau doing nothing as a body guard. do a smart cameo, but not a dumb extended bit.
05-04-08, 12:08 PM
#165
DVD Talk Godfather
Originally Posted by candyrocket786
I actually thought Favreau's body guard role was pretty subtle. He had about one or two key lines at most. Very different (and less annoying) than someone like M.Knight giving himself speaking parts in his own films.
05-04-08, 03:21 PM
#166
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I thought this was one of the best comic-to-film movies ever. It's very easily taken in by audiences without too many lingering questions or plot holes that have to be filled in by already knowing the character and comic. And to be honest, Iron Man isn't the most popular comic character. His comic was never a big seller and his character was the typical stodgy bruce wayne-esque billionaire-with-a-heart. And if you've been following what's been happening with his character...he's become quite unpopular over the years. "The Crossing" comes to mind as one of the worst superhero stories ever, followed by "Heroes Reborn", the story that was supposed to "fix" what happened in that story.
Some fun geek moments:
Iron Man inspired Robocop which in turn has inspired the Iron Man movie. The scenes with him
come to mind.
The scene after the credits...what do you call that? Art imitating art imitating life? or something.
Some fun geek moments:
Iron Man inspired Robocop which in turn has inspired the Iron Man movie. The scenes with him
Spoiler:
The scene after the credits...what do you call that? Art imitating art imitating life? or something.
05-04-08, 03:33 PM
#167
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Thread Starter
It's a shame he's so muddled in the comics these days (especially post-Civil War). What I love about the movie is how well it evokes the "classic" era of Iron Man comics in the '70s and '80s when David Micheline and Bob Layton were doing it, circa #110-200 or so. Great stuff and the movie really gets that feel.
05-04-08, 03:33 PM
#168
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
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Originally Posted by Son of Odin
Well, you would be the only one. I loved the look. bridges looked like a big bad russian with a shaved head and a killer goat-tee. when he got mean, he got mean. the movie is on pace for $105 million for the weekend. an unheard of 94% fresh at rotten tomatoes. word of mouth has it as the best comic book film to date. word of mouth.
SWEET!! 
You're wrong about that, by the way. I didn't see this movie alone, and this isn't the only place I've heard chatter about it. I'm not the only one who didn't like Bridges. Jeff Bridges was the worst part of the movie, period. You are actually arguing my point by stating that he looked like a villain. Good villains don't LOOK like the villain, otherwise where's the surprise??
As to the rest of your post, it makes absolutely zero sense as a reply to me. As I SAID, I thought the character was obvious but not awful, it was the CASTING of Bridges that was the problem.
As for it being "the best comic book film to date", read my other several posts in this thread. I loved the movie. I'd argue I loved 94% of the movie, with that missing 6% being the casting of Bridges.
But I guess to you, if I am not worshiping EVERY aspect/detail/casting choice of the movie, I am not appreciating it.
.
05-04-08, 03:38 PM
#170
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Originally Posted by badlieut
I thought Iron Man was good. I think the fact that the movie was good rests solely on the performance of Downey. His charisma carried the film. All of the other characters were pretty flat and I never really "cared" for them. That's what BB and Spidey 2 did so well....
I guessed Bridges was the villain once I saw the magazine cover at the beginning. I was just waiting for his true colors to show. His dialogue and acting on the rooftop fighting Iron Man was pretty bad. Maybe I was expecting something more than "oh you destroyed my targeting system that's why I can't hit you." It just seemed trite. No where near the level of Alfred Molina or even Cilian Murphy's performances.
I guessed Bridges was the villain once I saw the magazine cover at the beginning. I was just waiting for his true colors to show. His dialogue and acting on the rooftop fighting Iron Man was pretty bad. Maybe I was expecting something more than "oh you destroyed my targeting system that's why I can't hit you." It just seemed trite. No where near the level of Alfred Molina or even Cilian Murphy's performances.
Guess I'm not "the only one", I'm glad others pegged Bridges at the magazine cover montage. They SHOULD have made him look less "obvious villain", and hey, it would've been great if they cast someone who could act high-emotion scenes (and not be "flat" as you correctly state).Now that I think about it, the few performances of Bridges that I've liked have been with him playing a guy who's reserved or stunted emotionally, very "flat", very emotionless. He played this character too much like his emotionally-flat professor character in "The Mirror Has Two Faces".
05-04-08, 03:45 PM
#172
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by Groucho
My biggest tip-off that Bridges was the villain? The fact that he was playing Obadiah Stane.
05-04-08, 03:53 PM
#173
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I thought Bridges was the weakest link by far, wasn't buying him for a second good or bad. Regardless it was still a fun movie and a long as Downey Jr doesn't celebrate his success with a drug binge it should be the start of a profitable and fun movie franchise. I am happy he is back and apparently better than ever. Stark was as fun as Iron Man himself.
Last edited by onebyone; 05-04-08 at 03:56 PM.
