Iron Man Released 301
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.
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.
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.
Old? Old is remembering the animated "iron Man" (Score:3, Interesting)
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: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.
Most of you have not seen it (Score:2, Interesting)
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!
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:I have mixed feelings about this. (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 ends like this? I haven't bought any new comics since, and doubt I will.
Loved the movie, though.
Rick Roll? WTF? (Score:3, Interesting)