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b.o.
Full Fledged Member
Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 12:15 am Posts: 58
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Re: Iron Man
I really couldn't find much to object to in this film, I loved almost every part of it. My only two major complaints are common to most people's: the villian is not very well-conceived nor interesting, although still cool enough to work in the final act. How Downey killed Bridges and lived himself I may never understand (maybe I'm stupid) but it seemed much too complicated to be considered a good climatic end of a duel. And as time goes on, I'm having trouble remembering it as well, not as much remembering it, but it staying with me. But it's a superhero movie, so I don't fault it too much for that, it did everything right basically when I was watching it, and hats off to it for that.
A-
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Sat May 24, 2008 1:14 am |
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Webslinger
why so serious?
Joined: Tue Jun 06, 2006 11:24 pm Posts: 4110 Location: Stuck In A Moment I Can't Get Out Of
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Re: Iron Man
I actually think it's a good thing that there wasn't a huge or really well-developed villain in this movie. Sure, we've had some really spectacular onscreen villains, but we can't always get something like Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in the first Spider-Man. The attention granted to the villains in other superhero films has served as a flaw numerous times, the old Batman movies being some of the clearest examples. Considering it was the origin story, I think it was better to exclusively develop Tony Stark and surround him with decent but unspectacular villains and then up the ante for the sequel, which is what I bet will happen.
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Sat May 24, 2008 1:55 am |
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billybobwashere
He didn't look busy?!
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:59 pm Posts: 4308
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Re: Iron Man
While that's a fair thing to say now, what if Iron Man had bombed? It would've been a solo superhero film left with a great hero performance and a bad villain. With a first film, you can't be thinking ahead to sequels, and if your analysis was right, that's exactly what they're doing.
However, it's a huge hit, so their wish came true.
_________________Retroviral VideosA film-based project created for the purpose of helping raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, specifically in South Africa.
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Sat May 24, 2008 1:18 pm |
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Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm Posts: 15197 Location: Planet Xatar
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Re: Iron Man
billybobwashere wrote: While that's a fair thing to say now, what if Iron Man had bombed? It would've been a solo superhero film left with a great hero performance and a bad villain. With a first film, you can't be thinking ahead to sequels, and if your analysis was right, that's exactly what they're doing.
However, it's a huge hit, so their wish came true. I'm not sure I'll be hiring billybob as head of my strategic planning unit any time soon... (As a matter of fact, it's that kind of thinking that makes producers throw everything and the kitchen sink into their movie (eg: 7 villians and a 3 1/2 hour running time) that ruins many a potentially good franchise, thus guaranteeing no sequels.) Iron Man got it right for a change....
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Sun May 25, 2008 3:57 pm |
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Mannyisthebest
Forum General
Joined: Wed May 10, 2006 3:53 pm Posts: 8636 Location: Toronto, Canada
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Re: Iron Man
To me every good comic book film always has a great story and the action is just to keep you entertained.
You had that Spiderman 2, X-men 2 and Batman Begins. You had some great action scenes but the film kept you very interested by the storyline...
_________________The Dark Prince
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Sun May 25, 2008 7:48 pm |
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billybobwashere
He didn't look busy?!
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:59 pm Posts: 4308
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Re: Iron Man
Bradley Witherberry wrote: billybobwashere wrote: While that's a fair thing to say now, what if Iron Man had bombed? It would've been a solo superhero film left with a great hero performance and a bad villain. With a first film, you can't be thinking ahead to sequels, and if your analysis was right, that's exactly what they're doing.
However, it's a huge hit, so their wish came true. I'm not sure I'll be hiring billybob as head of my strategic planning unit any time soon... not one person (aside from heavy comic book fans and such) was predicting $300 million for Iron Man when it was announced, and the teaser didn't get that good of a reaction. It was really that final trailer and the couple of weeks of heavy marketing before its release that rocketed it into hit status. If they hadn't gotten that last bit right, this film could've opened in the 50s. I'm not sure a franchise could be made out of that. It wouldn't have passed $200m. Quote: (As a matter of fact, it's that kind of thinking that makes producers throw everything and the kitchen sink into their movie (eg: 7 villians and a 3 1/2 hour running time) that ruins many a potentially good franchise, thus guaranteeing no sequels.) While I'm not standing up for the mistakes that Spider-man 3 made, that doesn't change the fact that Iron Man lacked the very crucial element of a strong villain, and that alone should prevent people from declaring it the best superhero film ever made. The sequel should be able to fix this mistake, now that the whole backstory's outta the way and Tony Stark's a developed character.
_________________Retroviral VideosA film-based project created for the purpose of helping raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, specifically in South Africa.
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Mon May 26, 2008 12:00 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Iron Man
I agree with Brad.
This was about Stark, not the villains. Of course I also enjoy good villains in a comic book adaptation, but if you always have awesome villains, they detract from the hero and that is what those movies should be about actually. That was what Batman Begins got right, IMO. A great portrayal of Bruce Wayne himself for the first time and the villains were rather weak as well.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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Mon May 26, 2008 7:00 am |
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billybobwashere
He didn't look busy?!
Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:59 pm Posts: 4308
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Re: Iron Man
but Batman Begins had a much cooler and better fleshed out set of villains than Iron Man, yet the film's focus was just as much on Bruce Wayne as IM's was on Tony Stark. Again, it's not a huge deal, but it holds it back from "greatness" in my mind.
_________________Retroviral VideosA film-based project created for the purpose of helping raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, specifically in South Africa.
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Wed May 28, 2008 7:55 pm |
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dolcevita
Extraordinary
Joined: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:24 pm Posts: 16061 Location: The Damage Control Table
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Re: Iron Man
Well, I liked it quite a bit. Some of the action scenes (actually the ones that were more quiet), I thought had a lot of intensity. Especially the scene where Stark's heart is pulled out and he's just left there, but Obediah hinted that Penny had already been killed. That was a good sequence that involved pretty much all the key players in the movie and had great timing. I liked the reveal late in the movie when Penny first discovers Obediah paid to have Stark kidnapped. Nice twist.
I do have two nitpicks: The reveal of the superhero at the end, and the fact that, long since now, its been established bullets don't do anything to superhero suits. All the scenes with rapid fire ammo never really build any intensity because you already know that the bullets are just going to riquochet off the suit. There were a lot of gun-fights that fell flat because of this problem. You never felt-as a viewer-that the hero was actually at risk.
I also didn't get just how random the terrorists were. Perhaps if they'd been more politically oriented in their village attacks, it could have made for a more nuanced critique of the war or a more intriguing mystery. Obadiah could have then argued he was arming people that would help the U.S. (arming the rebels) rather than just being an all out easy to read bad guy.
Still, the storytelling aspect was quite good and editing was very well timed. I thought all the actors did a very good job. I was surprised how well Paltrow did, and really even liked Howard's small support role.
So, I give it about a B+.
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Sat May 31, 2008 9:27 pm |
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Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am Posts: 34875 Location: Minnesota
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Re: Iron Man
It was solid, but I didn't love it. Wouldn't really want to see it again, but it's definitely good for this kind of movie.
7/10 ( B )
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Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:39 am |
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Groucho
Extraordinary
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:30 pm Posts: 12096 Location: Stroudsburg, PA
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Re: Iron Man
Just saw this; my wife was too ill to see it when it was in the theatre, but with our 52 inch HD TV now, it's not that bad on DVD!
Sorry if I am repeating certain comments.
Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot...not as much as Dark Knight though.
I would have prefered to have seen more of Tony Stark fighting his own corporation (so to speak) instead of just one bad guy who, once killed, apparently solves every problem....
And why does he announce he is Iron Man? I mean, did he do so in the comic books? Doesn't that kind of paint a huge target on him and limit what they can do in the sequels?
Good actors make all the difference though, don't they?
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Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:31 pm |
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Gulli
Jordan Mugen-Honda
Joined: Mon May 01, 2006 9:53 am Posts: 13400
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Re: Iron Man
Groucho wrote: Just saw this; my wife was too ill to see it when it was in the theatre, but with our 52 inch HD TV now, it's not that bad on DVD!
Sorry if I am repeating certain comments.
Anyway, I enjoyed it a lot...not as much as Dark Knight though.
I would have prefered to have seen more of Tony Stark fighting his own corporation (so to speak) instead of just one bad guy who, once killed, apparently solves every problem....
And why does he announce he is Iron Man? I mean, did he do so in the comic books? Doesn't that kind of paint a huge target on him and limit what they can do in the sequels?
Good actors make all the difference though, don't they? Hope your Wife is ok atm Mike Glad you enjoyed it.
_________________ Rosberg was reminded of the fuel regulations by his wheel's ceasing to turn. The hollow noise from the fuel tank and needle reading zero had failed to convay this message
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Sat Oct 11, 2008 1:10 am |
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Riggs
We had our time together
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 4:36 am Posts: 13269 Location: Vienna
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Re: Iron Man
After my second viewing I was actually pretty bored during the third act.
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Sat Oct 11, 2008 5:36 am |
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Groucho
Extraordinary
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 9:30 pm Posts: 12096 Location: Stroudsburg, PA
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Re: Iron Man
Yeah, I don't know how it will hold up to a second viewing. I am anxiously awaiting Dark Knight though to see it again.
_________________Buy my books! http://michaelaventrella.com
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Sat Oct 11, 2008 12:49 pm |
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Jim Halpert
Stanley Cup
Joined: Sat Aug 26, 2006 1:52 pm Posts: 6981 Location: Hockey Town
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Re: Iron Man
film holds up great upon repeat viewings.
A-
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Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:19 am |
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Darth Indiana Bond
007
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 11:43 pm Posts: 10986 Location: Wouldn't you like to know
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Re: Iron Man
Groucho wrote: And why does he announce he is Iron Man? I mean, did he do so in the comic books? Doesn't that kind of paint a huge target on him and limit what they can do in the sequels?
You see that is one of the things I actually really enjoyed about the movie.
_________________
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Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:26 pm |
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snack
Extraordinary
Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 9:18 pm Posts: 12159
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Re: Iron Man
In the words of Manohla (being interviewed about the best films of 2008) "I love Robert Downey Jr, but...my thoughts on Iron Man? ha...it's of no cinematic value."
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Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:41 am |
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Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm Posts: 92093 Location: Bonn, Germany
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Re: Iron Man
Saw this again tonight. Yep, it holds up well, but the few flaws that were there at first are still felt. Very solid film, though.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
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Sun Sep 13, 2009 2:37 am |
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Michael A
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 4:48 am Posts: 6245
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Re: Iron Man
solid is a good word for this movie.
_________________Mr. R wrote: Malcolm wrote: You seem to think threatening violence against people is perfectly okay because you feel offended by their words, so that's kind of telling in itself. Exactly. If they don't know how to behave, and feel OK offending others, they get their ass kicked, so they'll think next time before opening their rotten mouths.
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Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:58 am |
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Keyser Söze
Quality is a great business plan
Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2007 9:21 pm Posts: 6157
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Re: Iron Man
RDJ was awesome as Stark and JF did great job as well. It lacks good supporting cast that nolan had with begins. Hopefully IM2 remedies that. Still would rate it A just for RDJ.
_________________ The world is all about mind and matter, I don't mind and U don't matter
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Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:47 pm |
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Goktor Who
Angels & Demons
Joined: Tue Dec 23, 2008 6:27 pm Posts: 235
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Re: Iron Man
I didn't like it much Certainly, there were some smiles. Robert Downey Jr was great and I liked the dynamic between him and Gwynneth Paltrow. However, I thought that Stane/ Iron Monger was a lousy villain and felt a bit "tacked on" (especially since the transformation in character was so abrupt that I literally couldn't suspend belief). Also, I found key plot points to be very implausible. Give me a supernatural angle (magic, special powers, alien technology, etc.) and I can suck up all kinds of crap. But show me a scientist building a robot suit in a cave and I just find it all a bit silly. One thing I liked about the rebooted Batman franchise is that, because of the scenes with Morgan Freeman's character, the whole "utility belt" theme (technology as special power) seemed plausible throughout. Obviously Stark Industries serves a similar purpose in Iron Man, but staging the creation of the prototype in a cave just didn't work for me. I've never read the comics, but I imagine this worked better when it was set in a communist lab rather than a terrorist hangout. I don't know, I just felt really underwhelmed. But then, I don't really find the character of Iron Man that exciting to begin with, so maybe I'm not the right person to judge. B-.
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Wed Oct 07, 2009 4:55 pm |
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Excel
Superfreak
Joined: Sat Aug 20, 2005 12:54 am Posts: 21876 Location: Places
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Re: Iron Man
Hadn't watched the full film since I saw it in theaters until tonight.
Really good movie, though the 3rd act because extremely generic. RDJ just owns the role in a way that nobody sans Nolan films has owned a character. He is living breathing charisma in what was obviously a mega star making performance. Downey is almost solely responsible for this C Level comic book hero becoming a massive cinematic draw.
Almost sad to think how stupid the franchise got with Iron Man 2 and especially Iron Mn 3 after the flat out stunning the films they make with IRON MAN and THE AVENGERS. Had almost forgot how disappointed iron Man 2 was to me but now I remember.
A
_________________Ari Emmanuel wrote: I'd rather marry lindsay Lohan than represent Mel Gibson.
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Sat Dec 14, 2013 11:59 pm |
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zwackerm
Hold the door!
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 10:26 pm Posts: 20302 Location: Where they shot Knock at the Cabin
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Re: Iron Man
Now that I'm older and understand the military jargon, this wasn't bad. I still don't quite get the hype, but the actors are great, especially Gwyneth Paltrow, who ought to get more work. The villain isn't horrible though other villains in Marvel movies would go on to feel exactly the same.
B
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Tue May 16, 2017 11:44 pm |
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Jack Sparrow
KJ's Leading Idiot
Joined: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:15 pm Posts: 36917
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Re: Iron Man
This was great as the start of Marvel Universe. The movie has so many surprises and cool things, the best part is that it makes all the over-the-top things believable. The leads are great specially RDJ and Paltrow plays along really well in a very small role. I was surprised at the re-watchable quality of this movie because I wasn't impressed by it at first expecting a more comic tone, but it works very well as an individual movie as well.
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