Go on, admit it... is there anybody out there who reads this blog who hasn't seen this by now? Twice?

I have:)

Every now and then, a bunch of comic book geeks still firmly in touch with their inner 12-year-old, get together and start fantasising about how cool it would be to see their favourite superheroes brought to life. Some of these geeks then manage to get their hands on large quantities of cash and set out to make their dreams come true, with interesting results. Some are wildly successful (Spiderman, Batman, X-Men) , some, not so much (Hellboy, Ghost Rider).

So when the mothership of all geekdom, Marvel Comics, announced they were sinking $186m into making a film of the less-than-iconic Ironman, and worse, they’d hired walking-disaster-area Robert Downey Jnr, to play Ironman’s human alter-ego, Tony Stark, even the most dedicated fan-boy, started to get a little worried.

The story (to save you digging out your old comics) is about a billionaire arms manufacturer and engineering genius, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jnr), captured by terrorists in Afghanistan (updated from the Viet-Cong of the 1960’s comic) who commission Stark to build them a WMD or, well, die. With an electromagnet surgically implanted in his chest to prevent the shrapnel near his heart from moving and killing him, Stark builds himself a suit of armour (with a jet pack, natch) and escapes captivity. He then heads back to the States, a changed man, determined to stop the manufacture of any more weapons. Not a course of actions his shareholders are very thrilled about, it has to be said.

Tony soon finds himself at odds with his mentor and long time friend, Obadiah Stanes (Jeff Bridges – bald, as all superhero arch-nemeses should be), and trying to explain himself to his good friend Rhodes (Terence Howard) and his ever-loyal PA, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). He then, using his unparalleled mechanical genius, designs the weapon to end all weapons and an alternate power source. Pity he can’t do anything about the shrapnel in his chest.

Downey Jnr owns the screen as Stark, to the detriment of almost every other character in the film. You get the feeling they could have lined up a list of complete unknowns and it would have impacted little on the film. The best scenes are, in fact, those where Stark is alone in his basement, tinkering with his suit design, while talking to his robots.

The script is brilliant in places, falls back into mediocrity in others (particularly during the epic CGI-heavy Transformer-ish final battle), but once again, it’s Stark who commands the screen, making it uniquely his own. Jon Favreau, whose only previous outing into the realm of 12-year-old boy fantasy was the pleasantly harmless Zathura, brings us an origin story that almost makes sense (as much a cartoon superheroes can make sense). The ending is refreshing, too, and makes an interesting set up for the inevitable sequels that will follow this very lucrative cash-cow Marvel has just given birth to.

When it comes to superpowers however, I’m afraid the award for most amazing stunt goes not to Ironman, but to his faithful sidekick, Pepper Potts, who, wearing a skirt so tight she can barely move and stilettos heels any self-respecting hooker would kill for, manages to flee the evil Ironmonger at a full pelt run across perforated industrial steel decking. Now that’s impressive.

I am wondering if I should wait to get this on blueray? Other reviews have said its one of the better superhero movies out there.

Ironman on bluray...I think I'm sold. I LOVED this movie...really, truly, and madly...made my day and week. I still giggle thinking about some of the scenes (most involue in the basement)...
Glad I am not the only one...
Laters
K

I read your blog....and no I haven't seen this movie. I've been busy xD. I've seen previews though, and the interview that Rove did about it.

movies? There are movies?

I wasn't too sure Robert Downey Jr. could pull off the goatee but he did, with enough arrogance to do Tony Stark justice but enough of himself with the comedy (ie Basement with the robots...who doesn't love the basement?) to make you see that he owns it.

I think that the chick playing Christine Everhart did pretty well. She had enough pressence on the screen against Robert Downey Jr.

P.S I think that HellBoy is looking very pretty, if not at least fun.. Story line is probably still going to be bad.... but at least it'll be nice to look at.

Yep I am a geek and I loved it. Robert did a great job as Stark and I thought Bridges rocked as a bad guy. (What happened to Star Man...I am getting old).

That is definitely on my to buy dvd list.

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