He has not lost his mind

Rating: 8/10 (28 June 2008)

Well, what can I say that hasn't already been said? Iron Man rocks. Plain and simple. If you have not seen this movie you should kick yourself five times and run to the theater, ignoring the pain in your buttocks. I'm sure you know the story by now; billionaire inventor Tony Stark is kidnapped by terrorists while demonstrating his latest weapon thingy. The terrorists demand that they build this weapon for them to use. He "agrees" so long as they provide him with materials. While there he enlists the help of a scientist named Yinsen* who helps him to build not a missile, but an armed and bulletproof mech-suit. Stark escapes, destroying all of the weapons the terrorists stole, and has a change of heart. He decides that his company, Stark Enterprises, will no longer manufacture weapons, and instead, focus on humanitarian research. This doesn't sit well with his business partner, Obidiah Stane, who seeks to get rid of Stark so he can run the company, and use the technology for his own maniacal deeds. Yes, Stane is the villain. The next half hour or so is devoted to Stark building and trying out new versions of his armor, so that he can carry out his desire to do something more with his life. Ironic that he uses the most sophisticated weapon in the world for this. Eventually, we learn that Stane is utilizing the original Iron Man suit to build his own version.* I don't want to spoil too much, so you'll have to see the movie to find out how it all goes down.
The first thing I have to comment on is the casting. All of the actors fit into their roles in ways that transcend the normal superhero movie. Especially with Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. Downey brings a smugness and a sincerness to the role that I don't think many actor could have pulled off its like Ron Pearlman as Hellboy, you can't imagine anyone else doing it.
The story is also top notch, allowing the audience to get to know the characters while telling a narrative that is simplistic, yet deep. This story is executed very well, thanks to director Jon Favreau. Faverau's work spans several genres, from the comedy "Swingers" to the Christmas film "Elf" to family adventure movie "Zathura." This tendency to lean to the more family-friendly or comical, left me to wonder how Favreau would pull the movie off. I'm glad to say, he did it wonderfully. His style has a realistic yet fantastical quality that other directors, who choose one or the other, lack. It is this willingness to blend the real with the unreal that makes Favreau perfect for adapting the Marvel comics.
The effects? Breathtaking. You'll find yourself literally drooling over scenes of Iron Man flying and fighting terrorists or Iron Manger. Some have said that the end battle resembles "Transformers." Well, of course! It's essentially two robots fighting in a city, how could it not look like "Transformers?"
Is the movie perfect? No, but then again, no movie is. At times, there can be lapses in logic, but for the most part all the technology is kept close to real life. Also, there is one instance of Jeff Bridges, as Obidiah Stane, yelling, and at that point, he kind of turns into William Shatner.
These complaints are relatively minor, and overall, this film is very enjoyable. Of course, no newspaper review is complete without a bad pun, but the only one I can think of at the moment is; it kicks brass. Ignore any nay-sayers, and watch "Iron Man."
"Iron Man" gets Five Godzillas.