I'm sure its fun, i just don't get it

Rating: Null/10 (20 May 2008)

Forgive me for being pretentious, but the majority of action/adventure/hero films leave me cold. This was no exception. It all began rather pleasingly, and dare i say even bravely, as the narrative tackled the contemporary issue of Western military in the middle east. It was all slightly glossy, but with some good one liners to keep it enjoyable and some impressive camera work i was beginning to really hold out hope for something that could rival the x-men series in terms of mixing mass taste enjoyability with depth and intelligence.
This view began to wane at about an hour in (and i'd already had to forgive at least two slapstick moments of stupidity when the man would have died - i was honourably suspending disbelief). A seemingly good narrative evolved, the story then stopped progressing. In relation to Jeff Bridges character, someone who could have been a good and symbolic villain became a caricature of silly destruction not to be taken seriously. What could have been a developed narrative about the western obsession with weapons and dominance explored in an enjoyable way became just another silly yarn about very comic book bad-guys and a cheer-a-long, charming super hero. And don't even get me started on the ridiculous battle of the iron men at the end (never mind that it took the genius Stark months to build and master his machine, Bridges can build a bigger and better one overnight!)..
Maybe i think too much about things. Maybe wanting even the slightest amount of subtlety, depth or intelligence in a film of this nature is asking too much. either way this was a silly film that, though managing to hold my attention and stave off bum-ache, i will not be re-watching.