Now that's how you make a fun film!!!

Rating: 10/10 (30 November 2008)

I can not say enough good things about this film. The story, the writing, acting, direction, casting, production design,...etc, were ALL top-notch. This is the film many Summer films aspire to be.
Robert Downey Jr. struck just the right note with this character making him a bit of a playboy cad, but still immensely likable. The audience was rooting for him from the word 'go'. (Note to Mr. Spielberg: Remember when you used to create likable characters instead of annoying overly-flawed morons? War of the Worlds ring a bell?)
The sexy Gwyneth Paltrow was spot-on and Jeff Bridges showed how years of acting experience can bring such weight to a role that in hands of a lesser actor most certainly would have come out as over-the-top.
There were no superfluous subplots or wasted shots and the character development was adequate and came in the course of the storytelling rather than being heavy-handedly shoved down our throats. The pacing was just right and all of the action sequences were directed with a competent hand; none of those 'what the hell is happening now?' moments that are seen too frequently in other films where action scenes mean too many blurred shots and quick cuts that leave you confused. Mr. Favreau has made an intelligent film that actually has a heart and one can only hope that he keeps the sequels up to the standard of the original.
Watch 'the Dark Knight' for Heath Ledger's performance, skip the Hulk and don't damage your brain with 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull'. Just watch this flick and actually ENJOY A FILM for once in a while. I wish that Hollywood would get it right like this more often!!!