Iron Man First review of Iron Man

[paulogonza]

why only one review if the guy said was a press release?

 

[kedrell]

I know they just screened the film in Mexico, so more reviews should be forthcoming.

 

[Excel]

Reading that review, it sounds like itll fall into a similar place that Tim Burtons first Batman film fell.

Marvel needed to get in to the solo movie making business long ago. Instead of leasing out their characters to other studios, they’re making movies themselves. Everyone knows Iron Man is their first effort and what a great lead off film! This movie really takes the comic book genre to the highest level. It reinvents epic adventure and “Marvelizes” summer characters in all the right ways. Spider-Man and the X-Men did this to a degree but only as far as their respective studios wished to stay true to the source material. Anything added or amended was for the benefit of the live action adaptation. Director Sam Raimi pulled this off by talking to the summer crowd, not down to them with the Spider-Man series. Jon Favreau has done the same thing here but I think he’s done it even better. Raimi intentionally threw in a little cheese. Favreau adds nice bits of humor but grounds it in a good enough reality. I’ve said it before but it’s brave to reach for the highest common denominator with a big budget film and Favreau delivers a movie with as much feeling as it has action and intensity. It’s a movie that has a wonderful balance that delivers intelligence, heart and fun with the perfect pace. This is, without a doubt going to be one of my top 10 movies of 2008, quite possibly the number one film.

The in-your-face action is paced by the plot and characters that keep you interested from start to amazing finish. What absolutely blew me away were the phenomenal special effects. I know they built a practical, working armor. What I loved is the use of CGI was used to augment the real life armor and not create something from scratch. Most all CGI constructs feel fake somehow but the stuff in Iron Man didn’t seem fake even for an instant. As great as everything looked, what really drives the movie is the emotional resonance and down to earth nature of the plot. Sure the concept is wild but it’s all presented so that you really believe it could happen. I doubt anyone will find fault with this movie unless they went in trying to dislike it.

Thats what we call a plant.

 

[kedrell]

^Maybe. I'll need more reviews to make that determination. Try to see where the bulk of them are going. If it does like Burton's Batman then that's not too bad at all. That film made $260M back in 1989. It'd be over $400M today.

 

[Ash Talon]

Sounds like one man's opinion. Fine by me. I don't agree with the critics or masses.

For instance. I think the Spider-Man movies are a mess. They don't blend the Peter Parker half with the Spider-Man half. Except for when Mary Jane gets kidnapped by the villain (in every movie). Peter isn't very proactive and never takes the iniative to find and stop the badguy. This is extremely terrible in SM2, where he just forgets about his friend Doc Ock and his terrible transformation.

Why the love for the X-Men movies? The first one is just boring and feels incomplete. And why the extreme love for X2? It's just a longer version of the first movie. The X-Men only fight soldiers (and not very often). There's the requisite Wolverine fight which he can only win by happenstance and not skill or drive. I find X2 to be a completely underwhelming movie.

On the other hand, I find FF:ROTSS to be the best Marvel movie. I know everyone will think I'm insane, but I can back it up. The FF is not a serious concept. It should be lighthearted. The first Story FF movie was much hated by me. It didn't have much story, and I didnt' like the casting. Doom was also treated very poorly. However, the extended cut of that movie is much better. It has many little story and character moments put back in which help flesh out Doom's revenge plan. Doesn't make it a good movie but certainly more tolerable than the theatrical cut.

Which brings us to FF2. I think the actors are far more comfortable in their roles. I hate Gruffard and Alba in the first movie. However, I think they're both much better in this movie. I like the light-hearted nature of the characters and their interactions. I also like how each character has his/her own scene moment. They all have something to do. This is something the X-Men movies fail at. Only Wolverine, Iceman, and Rogue ever have anything to do. I like the energy to the story. There's a sense of doom and urgency. I like how Reed is torn between pleasing his wife and saving the world. I like how he turns a corner and stands up for himself and his team against the military. I like how Doom obviously has his own agenda and manipulates his way around Reed to achieve his own ends. I can go on and on. I just think it's got a good vibe to it. My buddy and I love it and can't understand the hatred toward it. I can only surmise that many people just didn't give it an actual chance. They went in with their minds predetermined and nothing was going to change their minds.

Comparing Iron Man to Batman has some legitimacy. I'm just burned out on Batman as a character. I don't think he has much depth (angry loner type) and think Stark is a much more complicated character with opportunity for better character moments. I don't care if Bruce Wayne succeeds as Batman. Yes, his parents died, but I don't find that path of revenge to be as intereting as Stark's personal drive. Stark has to make ammends for selling weapons. He's making ammends for demons he himself created. I find that more compelling that avenging a crime that happened 30 years prior.

Looking forward to Iron Man. I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I'm sure they'll make some decisions I'm not keen on. However, it looks like they're having fun with the material. Which is what comic book superhero movies should be...fun. They shouldn't be mired in angst and melodrama. Let's see some action and adventure and humor.


In case your wondering what comic book flicks I like: FF2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ang Lee's Hulk (only when Hulk is actually onscreen, the rest is way too melodramatic), Spider-Man 1's Peter Parker stuff (hate Spider-Man's story in it), Spider-Man 2's Spider-Man stuff (hate Peter's story), Daredevil Director's Cut (eons better than the theatrical cut), Conan the Barbarian, Batman Begins (hate the last act ~ 35 minutes), Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (best Batman movie), Superman 2 (cheesy but great fight scene in the street).

 

[Ash Talon]

I think Iron Man will do ~$200 million at the box office. I think an opening of ~$70+ is expected. If it cracks $250, it'll be considered a huge hit. Under $150 is a flop. Depends on how Speed Racer will do. SR is a complete wild card movie. It looks like crap, but you can't count out the kid/family factor. Prince Caspian is another sorta wild card. Will anyone return to Narnia after the somewhat lackluster first movie? IM could have a solid 3 weeks before Indiana Jones steals its thunder. Of course, IJ could be so bad, that it disappears quickly.

 

[kedrell]

^Just curious Ash(and I realize this is getting off topic a bit), what was your take on Superman Returns?

 

[bosef982]

Sounds like one man's opinion. Fine by me. I don't agree with the critics or masses.

For instance. I think the Spider-Man movies are a mess. They don't blend the Peter Parker half with the Spider-Man half. Except for when Mary Jane gets kidnapped by the villain (in every movie). Peter isn't very proactive and never takes the iniative to find and stop the badguy. This is extremely terrible in SM2, where he just forgets about his friend Doc Ock and his terrible transformation.

Why the love for the X-Men movies? The first one is just boring and feels incomplete. And why the extreme love for X2? It's just a longer version of the first movie. The X-Men only fight soldiers (and not very often). There's the requisite Wolverine fight which he can only win by happenstance and not skill or drive. I find X2 to be a completely underwhelming movie.

On the other hand, I find FF:ROTSS to be the best Marvel movie. I know everyone will think I'm insane, but I can back it up. The FF is not a serious concept. It should be lighthearted. The first Story FF movie was much hated by me. It didn't have much story, and I didnt' like the casting. Doom was also treated very poorly. However, the extended cut of that movie is much better. It has many little story and character moments put back in which help flesh out Doom's revenge plan. Doesn't make it a good movie but certainly more tolerable than the theatrical cut.

Which brings us to FF2. I think the actors are far more comfortable in their roles. I hate Gruffard and Alba in the first movie. However, I think they're both much better in this movie. I like the light-hearted nature of the characters and their interactions. I also like how each character has his/her own scene moment. They all have something to do. This is something the X-Men movies fail at. Only Wolverine, Iceman, and Rogue ever have anything to do. I like the energy to the story. There's a sense of doom and urgency. I like how Reed is torn between pleasing his wife and saving the world. I like how he turns a corner and stands up for himself and his team against the military. I like how Doom obviously has his own agenda and manipulates his way around Reed to achieve his own ends. I can go on and on. I just think it's got a good vibe to it. My buddy and I love it and can't understand the hatred toward it. I can only surmise that many people just didn't give it an actual chance. They went in with their minds predetermined and nothing was going to change their minds.

Comparing Iron Man to Batman has some legitimacy. I'm just burned out on Batman as a character. I don't think he has much depth (angry loner type) and think Stark is a much more complicated character with opportunity for better character moments. I don't care if Bruce Wayne succeeds as Batman. Yes, his parents died, but I don't find that path of revenge to be as intereting as Stark's personal drive. Stark has to make ammends for selling weapons. He's making ammends for demons he himself created. I find that more compelling that avenging a crime that happened 30 years prior.

Looking forward to Iron Man. I'm sure I'll enjoy it. I'm sure they'll make some decisions I'm not keen on. However, it looks like they're having fun with the material. Which is what comic book superhero movies should be...fun. They shouldn't be mired in angst and melodrama. Let's see some action and adventure and humor.


In case your wondering what comic book flicks I like: FF2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ang Lee's Hulk (only when Hulk is actually onscreen, the rest is way too melodramatic), Spider-Man 1's Peter Parker stuff (hate Spider-Man's story in it), Spider-Man 2's Spider-Man stuff (hate Peter's story), Daredevil Director's Cut (eons better than the theatrical cut), Conan the Barbarian, Batman Begins (hate the last act ~ 35 minutes), Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (best Batman movie), Superman 2 (cheesy but great fight scene in the street).

Reading this is like reading...I don't know what...Good God, are you serious?

 

[Kabuki_Jo]

^Just curious Ash(and I realize this is getting off topic a bit), what was your take on Superman Returns?

Hahaha...I was about that ask him the very same question.

 

[Blader5489]

Reading this is like reading...I don't know what...Good God, are you serious?

Agreed 100%. Though I wouldn't have it put it so...nicely.

 

[The Major]

On paper Iorn man might have sounded great too and they got a director who can do action and comedy so that is what iron man will do right.

Exactly what about Iron Man makes it perfect franchise for a comedy director?

On paper IM has some humor but is 90% dead serious.

 

[The Major]

^What about the Spiderman and X Men francise? What disrespect.

X3 happened to the X-men franchise.

Spider-man 3 I enjoyed but it was torn apart by the critics. Marvel actually caused some of the damage themselves by forcing Venom into the movie. They should have saved him for the sequel instead.

Blade 3 was even worse then X3.

 

[The Major]

The FF is not a serious concept. It should be lighthearted.

It is campy and light but that isn't all it can be. Their villains and stories can be dark. Doom should be a villain the audience loves to hate. Someone who they are terrified of. He was the character who inspired Darth Vader he should darn well act like it! Read the Unthinkable arc by Mark Waid and Ringo. Claremont's run had some dark moments, as well. The comedy certainly shouldn't be the primary focus like what Fox did.

The first Story FF movie was much hated by me. It didn't have much story, and I didnt' like the casting. Doom was also treated very poorly. However, the extended cut of that movie is much better. It has many little story and character moments put back in which help flesh out Doom's revenge plan. Doesn't make it a good movie but certainly more tolerable than the theatrical cut.

Still unacceptable for an FF movie, IMO.

Which is what comic book superhero movies should be...fun. They shouldn't be mired in angst and melodrama. Let's see some action and adventure and humor.

Your pigeonholing a genre here. Not all super-heroes are "fun". They can range from campy to hilarious to crazy to depressing. It just depends on what franchise is being adapted.

Super-heroes have different sub-genres, too. WW is fantasy, GL is space opera, Superman is sci-fi, IM is hard sci-fi, Ghost Rider is horror, DD is hard boiled crime fiction. They can also switch sub-genres once in a while. Some get short story lines different to the status quo just to shake things up for an arc/creator run or two which are magic based, mysteries, intruige, funny stories, horror etc.


Some super-hero franchises can be lighter fare then others.

 

[GNR]

Sounds like one man's opinion. Fine by me. I don't agree with the critics or masses.

For instance. I think the Spider-Man movies are a mess. They don't blend the Peter Parker half with the Spider-Man half. Except for when Mary Jane gets kidnapped by the villain (in every movie). Peter isn't very proactive and never takes the iniative to find and stop the badguy. This is extremely terrible in SM2, where he just forgets about his friend Doc Ock and his terrible transformation.

Why the love for the X-Men movies? The first one is just boring and feels incomplete. And why the extreme love for X2? It's just a longer version of the first movie. The X-Men only fight soldiers (and not very often). There's the requisite Wolverine fight which he can only win by happenstance and not skill or drive. I find X2 to be a completely underwhelming movie.

Wholeheartedly agree.

 

[GNR]

Super-heroes have different sub-genres, too. WW is fantasy, GL is space opera, Superman is sci-fi, IM is hard sci-fi, Ghost Rider is horror, DD is hard boiled crime fiction. They can also switch sub-genres once in a while. Some get short story lines different to the status quo just to shake things up for an arc/creator run or two which are magic based, mysteries, intruige, funny stories, horror etc.


Some super-hero franchises can be lighter fare then others.

Not really hard sci fi IMO.More of a mix of espionage/corporate/sci fi.

 

[lordofthenerds]

http://www.nelsoncarvajal.com/blog/2008/04/i_guess_he_is_iron_man_weak_pr.html

Eh, pretty much what I expected. Should be good for pure entertainment value just to get the franchise started.

 

[deathshead2]

I think Iron Man will do ~$200 million at the box office. I think an opening of ~$70+ is expected. If it cracks $250, it'll be considered a huge hit. Under $150 is a flop. Depends on how Speed Racer will do. SR is a complete wild card movie. It looks like crap, but you can't count out the kid/family factor. Prince Caspian is another sorta wild card. Will anyone return to Narnia after the somewhat lackluster first movie? IM could have a solid 3 weeks before Indiana Jones steals its thunder. Of course, IJ could be so bad, that it disappears quickly.

If it makes that much you could say good bye IM2. The movie cost $180 on its own not counting ads I believe.

 

[The Major]

Not really hard sci fi IMO.More of a mix of espionage/corporate/sci fi.

Those elements should definitely be there.

The hard sci-fi is the biggest genre the concept embodies. Technology and how it works is Tony's bread and butter as a super-hero IMO.

 

[Beanjuice]

i'd rather wait and see the film for myself. i never trust reviews

 

[Tiger_Hoods]

If it makes that much you could say good bye IM2. The movie cost $180 on its own not counting ads I believe.

People are forgettin' worldwide. Might make 200 in the states, but more than that in worldwide sales.

 

[YJ1]

If it makes that much you could say good bye IM2. The movie cost $180 on its own not counting ads I believe.

If Iron Man makes 200 Million DOMESTIC, Marvel will be overjoyed. That will qualify as a MASSIVE hit. Leaving worldwide, DVD sales, Cable rights, etc. as mostly profit. Paramount's marketing and distributing costs do have to be factored in but product placement and tie-ins have already offset some of those costs.

I know they just screened the film in Mexico, so more reviews should be forthcoming.

For what it's worth, they seemed to like it a lot.

http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4695&Itemid=99

 

[redfirebird2008]

Bashing Bale in order to praise RDJ? They are both great actors, but the characters are quite different in that Stark is an alcoholic, total partier and Wayne is pretty straight-laced even if he pretends to be a playboy. Bale and RDJ are both great actors and I see no reason to put down one while praising the other.

 

[redfirebird2008]

To be honest I don't expect this movie to get X2, SM2, BB type reviews.

Somewhere between 55-70%.

This movie is going to be a summer crowd pleaser movie with good comedy, tons of awesome action and sfx with some intense moments.

The trailers have always given that vibe.

I would go as far as to day that the story will be its weakest point just like transformers.

I am sure that if a capable director had made f4 films then those would have been much much better than they turned out to be because on paper I am sure the action and sfx sounded great. On paper Iorn man might have sounded great too and they got a director who can do action and comedy so that is what iron man will do right. Also Robert is a much actor then all the f4 combined so there you go.

Marvel has not entered in this business to make BB type films. Their goal is to make big crowd pleaser summer movie. And I am totally fine with that.

Batman Begins IS a crowd-pleaser. The anticipation for TDK is proof of that.

 

[Excel]

Dunno what this guys on, but word on the test screenings is that they've gone very well. Fabs from HSX runs a large theater chain in southern California and had this quote:

"General WOM is going to be great on this one, screenings have gone nearly as strong as TFORM"

TFORM is HSX's say of saying Transformers, which had great word of mouth last summer. I been saying it all along, it's gonna have better than expected legs. If it can crack 60 million opening weekend, which probably the lower end (high would be 70) it'll top at the very least 175.

I'm not worried. Its rotten tomatoes score will be in high 60's to low 70's but the itll be more a crowd pleaser type film.

 

[Excel]

Batman Begins IS a crowd-pleaser. The response to it is proof of that.

Thats true, but it wasn't your conventional one. It was a crowd pelaser the way Lord of the Rings was. The term "CROWD PLEASER" was invented for films thats had great box office staying power but got bad reviews, as they only pleased crowds who paid to see it over the course its run, but not critics. Batman Begins did please critics, however had tremendous box office staying power so it would fit both.

The typical crowd pleaser usually only means comedies, but theres level of crowd pleaser in between Batman Begins and films like I Now Pronouce You Chuck and Larry-the place where TRANSFORMERS or ARMAGEDDON fall...this would be where I see IRON MAN landing.