Iron Man (12A)
Posted by Guest Writer on Sat, 10 May 2008.
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jeff Bridges, Leslie Bibb, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard,
Jon Favreau (director of Zathura & Elf but probably better known for his roles in Friends and Daredevil) directs this adaptation of the Marvel comics classic with exemplary style and passion. Including an unusual casting of Robert Downey Jnr as Tony Stark, Gwyneth Paltrow as his personal assistant Pepper Pots, Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane and Terrence Howard as Stark’s best friend Jim Rhodes (soon to be War Machine?). All deliver superb support as you would expect from such talent and all reservations of Robert Downey Jnr in the lead role are quashed by his dynamic performance.
As usual, some liberties have been taken with the story but as with most films in this genre, writers and directors have to consider new audiences as well as existing fans and it’s often fair to say that some ideas could push the concept a little too far for the big screen. However, as far as comic book adaptations go, this is one of the best in a long time and the combination of a smart script with well written and performed humor (for a change), fantastic effects and plenty of inside references is enough to keep everyone happy.
A moment of particular note is the sequence involving the first makeshift suit. Which, as well as the suit being a homage to the original 1960’s design, looks spectacular thanks to some ingenious camera work and effects. In fact it has to be said that there’s not a dodgey bit of CGI in this film.
It’s always refreshing to see a something in the comic to film genre that’s clearly been made by a fan. Someone who cares about the character, the story and the script, instead of just churning out schlock for a profit. It’s good to see Hollywood can still do something right occasionally.
Iron Man is exciting, funny, smart, slick and should leave you wanting more.
5 out of 5
By Tom Smith
Thank you to the Odeon Cinema, Leicester
