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Iron Man Released
Journal written by stoolpigeon (454276) and posted by
CmdrTaco
on Sat May 03, 2008 09:39 AM
from the it's-that-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year dept.
from the it's-that-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year dept.
Slashdot reader stoolpigeon wrote about the start of summer blockbuster season, and the latest comic book to make it to the big screen. He says "Iron Man is an entertaining movie, as they go. I never was really into comic books — so I have no knowledge or concerns as it relates to following the original story line. I can't address that. The film has good action and some very humorous moments. The serious side of the film is not its strong suit. It's not horrible, but it really doesn't make too much sense. It was interesting to see how they tried to set up an anti-war message without being critical of the US military. It's really a comic book put to film. Not high art or anything, but a whole lot of fun. The film keeps up a fast pace throughout and never bogs down. Some of the product placements were so blatant that they kind of jarred me out of being into the film. The special effects were phenomenal. It was awesome in that regard. Like any movie, it is not everyone's cup of tea If you do go see it in the theater, and you are a big comic books fan, do not leave until after all the credits have run. And I mean all of them." I gotta get a sitter. Man I'm old.
Related Stories
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Hardware: Raytheon Exoskeleton Brings "Iron Man" to Life 199 comments
An anonymous reader writes "Raytheon is bringing 'Iron Man' to life, according to EETimes. 'The movie opens in theaters worldwide today, but the real "iron man" has already been under construction at Raytheon Company (Salt Lake City, Utah) since 2000. Raytheon's Exoskeleton project is the brainchild of project leader Stephen Jacobsen and is being funded by the U.S. Army. The project, according to the company, permits soldiers to don an Exoskeleton suit that amplifies their strength — enabling them to lift 200-pound payloads without tiring.'"
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Old? (Score:4, Insightful)
Youngster.
You're old when your youngest is driving and does not need a sitter.
Old? Old is remembering the animated "iron Man" (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Old? (Score:5, Funny)
You're old when your youngest needs a sitter for you.
Parent
this just in... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:this just in... (Score:4, Insightful)
This is a refreshing change from Apple's iPhone stories, and the ones the Ruby people bought.
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:this just in... (Score:4, Informative)
Parent
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Re:this just in... (Score:5, Insightful)
Ah yes, Iron Man has been around for a forty five years - nobody could possibly have been a fan before. Marvel has just kept publishing his comics out of the goodness of their hearts, and various companies committed around $200 million for the movie and marketing because they had it just lying around as spare cash.
I didn't know they had computers back in 1918 - let alone that they could timewarp the messages posted on said computers forward 90 years. (Because that's about when you message sounds like it was written.) Or maybe you are a time traveler. Or cryogenically preserved.
Or maybe you simply are mistaken in your assumption that you know what the hell you are talking about.
Hollywood hasn't been about innovation since about 22 seconds after Edison tightened down the final screws on his movie camera. Hollywood has always been about putting butts in seats and cash in the bank.
The milked the Western genre for damm near forty years, and still squeeze out a few drops even today. Then there is the War genre. The Romantic Comedy. The 'Road tox pictures, the Andy Hardy movies... Etc... Etc...
Hollywood hasn't changed one bit in decades.
Parent
Re: (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
So presumably, it could run linux.
I have mixed feelings about this. (Score:3, Interesting)
That said.
I personally hold Tony Stark ( The Worlds Biggest Asshole ) responsible for the death of Steve Rogers ( Captain America for our new listeners ) and to be mostly responsible for the whole Hulk Thing *and* the freaking Thor Clone. ( I *know* that was actually Reed and Henry Pym's work, but of that faction, Tony was the clear leader. )
Asshole.
Re:I have mixed feelings about this. (Score:5, Funny)
At least the rest of the media world had the decency to not ruin it for us like you just did...
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Re:I have mixed feelings about this. (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, my youngest has passed his drving test, and No, I am not Nigerian.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
For many years I was boycotting movie theaters. The high, ever climbing, ticket prices coupled with having to find a sitter to a sit through 30 minutes of commercials (not movie previews but commercials for pop and cars etc.) then to have the movie be one long commercial in and of itself (product placement) plus all of the traditional downsides to the theaters (idiots talking and leaving their cellphones on etc.) just made me prefer to sit at home. I don't even have any k
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
I have to agree. Plus, I hold the Marvel writers responsible for crapping out on the best comic book story arc ever (the Civil War) - what a stupid ending; it didn't resolve anything, just made the main 'bad guy' (Stark) a 'good' guy by doing all this to stop something worse (which was the impetus of the whole thing in the first place).
Very annoying. The Civil War arc got me back into comics after being out for ten years, then end
Old? No. (Score:3, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
most of you can't even take responsibility for your own retirement without saddling me and my generation with the bill as though we are responsible for your lack of planning. as a group you're therefore like a bunch of impotent asshats cryin' for mama, in the form of big government, so just piss off already.
Actually, if it weren't for politicians robbing the SS Fund to help pay for illegitimate kids spawn by lazy musicians, crackheads, and "artists" of YOUR generation there might actually BE something in the fund for our generation. Granted, we should take some responsibility but the money came from US!
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I saw it (Score:3, Informative)
p.s. When you go see the movie stay until the end of the credits for a nice surprise.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
In one of the Ultimates comics, somebody asks Fury who he'd want to play him in the movie. He replies 'Samuel L. Jackson.'
The best indicator of my enjoyment of a film... (Score:4, Insightful)
tripe... (Score:2, Insightful)
I've no idea if the movie is good or not, but this level of marketing push suggests -- very strongly -- that they've a potential turkey on their hands.
Oh, and can this please be the very last time this movie is advertised here.
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Re: (Score:2, Funny)
No, just the really awesome logic.
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I saw it and it does deserve the current 94%+ rating on rottentomatoes.
It's not a "Turkey", it's pretty entertaining. I'd even call it "good".
But yeah, keep on hatin' from your basement.
Re:tripe... (Score:5, Insightful)
Yeah, how dare the founder of this site post things that interest him? I'm as incensed as you are that not every article posted here in the past decade has amused me sufficiently, for free.
Parent
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
The other problem I have with you comment is that it's in response to someone's short review of the film. It's not an ad but a person saying that
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
If anyone involved with the film is running scared, it's the folks dragging the huge bags of cash from the theaters to the bank.
FWIW, I saw it last night and thought it was easily one of the best comic book movies ever made. As good as, say, Batman Begins, but much more FUN to watch and less theatrical and dramatic. RDJr was PERFECT as Tony Stark, and they wisely capitalized on t
What??? (Score:2)
But, come on - why is this a Slashdot story? This is the THIRD story about it - the first was the science of it, OK fine. The exoskeleton thing had nothing to do with Iron Man - it's been in development for years (I've seen videos before I ever heard of the movie).
And now this? Come on.... I'm not suggesting it's a horrible film, but what's the big deal? It's just a movie, ads on TV have been saying the same thing - the movie has been released, yes fine - but o
If you had a doubt... (Score:2, Interesting)
There is nothing I did not like about this movie. The acting is great from all parties. The effects are, simply put, awesome. The product placement can be a little off-putting, but what placement isn't? (American cheeseburger. How quaint.)
I am willing to see it again. This has to be one of my favorite superhero movies of all time. Probably the mest movie yet in 2008.
Disappointed (Score:2)
The Invincible Iron Man [zweg.com]
I was never really into comic books (Score:2)
I never was really into comic books - so I have no knowledge or concerns as it relates to following the original story line.
As much as I'm sure there were excellent stories in comic books... I can't say I was all that into comic books my self. You had to get it monthly or else be dropped out of the story line. I discovered decent comic book stores later on and it was at least possible to pickup "some" older issues, but you had to get there. If you lived in a major city not an issue, but if you lived in a smaller town... forget about it.
I think there was an option to mail order comics but... but dollar per page was rather hig
Iron Man? (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm a comics fangirl, but never have I been much into Iron Man - generally speaking, I could just never get into the character. However, I do like the Ultimates version of Iron Man and had been hoping that the movie version was more like that and I was not disappointed. Robert Downey, Jr. did a fantastic job. This is easily the best Marvel comic movie that's been put out and is at or near the quality of Batman Begins. Or, this movie is as good as "Fantastic Four 2: What the FUCK were they THINKING?" was bad.
I saw it at 2:30 yesterday, digital theater with stadium seating - the place was packed. The audience was a pretty good mix of various groups, and it seemed like everyone really enjoyed the film. 90% of them took off before the end of the credits, though and missed a scene that personally I thought was great, but I could see how someone less knowledgeable of comic lore might not really care about.
I won't offer any spoilers, save to say that there were numerous little bits that show the direction the (obvious) sequels will follow, and I am completely psyched for those.
Also, the trailers were like a never-ending stream of awesome. Dark Knight, Hulk and Indiana Jones, it's going to be a FANTASTIC movie season for me.
Re:Iron Man? (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Iron Man? (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
GREAT movie, but Paltrow doesn't work... (Score:2)
A previous poster said this was the best Marvel-based comic movie ever. I will say this certainly at least as good as Spiderman I.
But where this movie (and other Marvel-based movies) has an issue is getting actresses who can play the female counterpart roles. Kirsten Dunst was GREAT in Spiderma
The Iron Man movie is Great: Review + Feedback (Score:3, Interesting)
I personally loved the flick. It starts out with some action, gives a backstory, struggles with who he is/was when he finds he is vulnerable and cares, struggles with his business and technology, and they include a touch of romance, several bits of comedy, a nice soundtrack, and a few fights to round out a great movie.
Favre did good.
But hey, I like movies, I used to subscribe to comic books (Iron Man was my first), and I've been enough of an Iron Man fan that even though I stopped subscribing many years ago, I got the PDF product of Iron Man through 2006. I don't generally like Robert Downey Jr, and his characters have varied significantly in his career, but I enjoyed having him as Stark. But I also like the portrayal of inventors and technology and the flow of this movie with it's pacing.
There are of course several "movie inconsistencies", only a couple hints at how much time has passed, some logic problems (in my mind), and people who need the movie to be just like the comics will be ornery about the juxtapositions. I personally disliked Stark's disregard for secrecy - it seems out of comic-book character, even though it is in line for the movie's Stark's character. But it is a very cool movie and I also was surprised when I found it was about 2 hours long.
And yes, there is a scene if you stay past the credits, though not really a surprise. Except for the actor.
Feedback
Anti-war movie? Wow, Stark's ability to care about what his company's weapons are used for seems out of reach for some slashdotters. It comes straight from the books 10 and 20 years ago. This is nothing new, though you may be upset that someone takes a political stance when you wanted to see more things blowed up.
Mediocre movie? Many people consider it to be better than any previously made superhero movie, though other comic book movies may be better (I still like Hellboy). Too broad a generalization to refute directly, I'll say that this movie has actual pacing in the story arc, the comedy is appropriate to the situations (though I can see how some would consider parts manufactured, it is so much more natural than most anything from Batman or other Marvel movies), there is more to the movie than characters moving between action sequences (do people dislike the inventing/refining process?)
McGuffins: It is an imperfect movie, but I think it has half the times of poor logic within the writing that the nearest comic adaptation has, but about the same number of mcguffins (unexplained tech, mis-matched time sequences, etc.)
Gweneth Paltrow: She works well as Pepper Potts (she is a good actress!), actually really well as an assistant with a heart. Though "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow" flashed before my eyes in one of the later sequences. And from the ads I'd originally guessed she would be Bethany Cabe, though maybe they're saving Angelina Jolie for that.
Mish-mash: The movie is quite a mish-mash of the Iron Man lore, some things better, some worse in my opinion. But it stayed true to who Iron Man is and made a great movie to boot!
Information wants 2 be free (and so does Iron Man) (Score:4, Funny)
(Thanks for the review. This looks like one that might be worth a trip to the cineplex.)
--
Toro
say what? (Score:3, Interesting)
I didn't find that part interesting, as one has nothing to do with the other.
I'm not sure this is any better done than the first two Blade movies or the first two Batman movies (the most recent Batman movie had a bit of a glaring casting problem with one of the secondary characters - this movie has no such problems), but nevertheless, this movie was a really great comic book movie.
And the trailer for 'The Spirit,' really got my blood pumping before the movie started.
Apparently Downey has said that he's up for more sequels (plural), which is good news - this movie has a great ending that just makes you want more right away.
Re:Iron (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
Re:Long time Iron Man fan... (Score:5, Insightful)
Spoiler? Wha???
Put down the corporate-shill-crack-pipe, my friend. I would have felt mightily pissed to sit through 20 minutes of "3rd reserve gaffer to the animal trainer's assistant coffee-wench", only to watch a goddamned advertisement.
Yes, advertisement. Wake up, people - "trailers" do not count as "content" to eagerly look forward to, they count as the same BS we pay $200-$400 for fancy digital VCR-like boxes that let us skip them.
So, a hearty thank you to the GP post, for saving me from wasting an extra 20 minutes only to leave the theater infuriated.
Parent
Screen credits aren't just there to annoy you (Score:4, Informative)
Parent
Re:Long time Iron Man fan... (Score:4, Interesting)
Who said anything about "forced"?
Some movies really do put interesting "featurettes" after the credits... Pixar has done that a number of times, and I do not resent sitting through the credits for more actual content.
However, the FP article made it sound like Iron Man would have something similar, and the post to which I responded acted annoyed that the GP outed the "surprise" as nothing more than the equivalent of a Rick-Roll.
So yes, it would have greatly annoyed me to voluntarily (I neither said nor implied anything about "forced") sit through the credits expecting to see more actual content, only to watch an ad.
Well, you just keep raging against the machine, li'l mister too cool to get excited about an upcoming movie.
Hey, if you like calling yourself a "consumer", good for you. My time has value beyond the number of ad impressions The Sponsors can trick me into watching per minute. I have nothing against you getting excited to watch an ad, I simply have no desire whatsoever to do so myself.
Parent
Rick Roll? WTF? (Score:3, Interesting)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Take that stick out of your ass. It's a good movie. Entertaining. You don't want to see the stories regarding it? Remove "Movies" from your front page and shut the hell up.