Suit up for action with Robert Downey Jr. in the ultimate adventure movie you've been waiting for, Iron Man! When jet-setting genius-industrialist Tony Stark is captured in enemy territory, he builds a high-tech suit of armor to escape. Now, he's on a mission to save the world as a hero who's built, not born, to be unlike any other. Co-starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, it's a fantastic, high-flying journey that is "hugely entertaining" (Joe Morgenstern, The Wall Street Journal).
You know you're going to get a different kind of superhero when you cast Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role. And Iron Man is different, in welcome ways. Cleverly updated from Marvel Comics' longstanding series, Iron Man puts billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (that's Downey) in the path of some Middle Eastern terrorists; in a brilliantly paced section, Stark invents an indestructible suit that allows him to escape. If the rest of the movie never quit hits that precise rhythm again, it nevertheless offers plenty of pleasure, as the renewed Stark swears off his past as a weapons manufacturer, develops his new Iron Man suit, and puzzles both his business partner (Jeff Bridges in great form) and executive assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow). Director Jon Favreau geeks out in fun ways with the hardware, but never lets it overpower the movie, and there's always a goofy one-liner or a slapstick pratfall around to break the tension. As for Downey, he doesn't get to jitterbug around too much in his improv way, but he brings enough of his unpredictable personality to keep the thing fresh. And listen up, hardcore Marvel mavens: even if you know the Stan Lee cameo is coming, you won't be able to guess it until it's on the screen. It all builds to a splendid final scene, with a concluding line delivery by Downey that just feels absolutely right. --Robert Horton On the DVD A fat collection of Special Features bulks up the Iron Man experience. The heftiest is I Am Iron Man, a feature-length behind-the-scenes doc that exhaustively covers the making of the movie, with full access to director Jon Favreau and the cast and crew. A half-hour look at the visual effects will satisfy gearheads (the legendary Stan Winston weighs in, shortly before he died), and a thorough chronicle of the comic-book Iron Man provides the character's print history, with Stan Lee noting that the comic brought in more fan mail from women than any other Marvel title. Scenes from Robert Downey, Jr.'s screen test are fun, and a rehearsal with Downey, Favreau, and Jeff Bridges working out a tense scene is a tantalizing look at collaboration. A selection of deleted and extended scenes reveals no special gems, but confirms the editorial judgment. The cherry on top is a splendid Onion parody news bulletin, purporting to report that the awesome Iron Man trailer that everybody loved is now about to be expanded into an actual full-length film--but fans are skeptical they'll ruin it. --Robert Horton Stills from Iron Man (Click for larger image)
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Brilliant remake for a cold war character:
Ironman is one of Marvel Comics characters that has been around at least in comic form since the early 1960's. Something attested to by the fact that I had one conversation about this movie while attending a function at a church related retirement community. When I heard that this movie was being made, I wondered how the film's producers would take a character who was a munitions maker and a superhero and put him on the big screen. What if public opinion about the current wars became overwhelmingly negative... more info
Speedy:
I recieved my order quickly which is a plus for me. Although the I did not recieve the collector's sleeve I should have with my order. The disc were in prestine shape. Once contacting the seller about what was missing. My money was quickly refunded and the promise of recieving the missing cover was made. As of yet I have not recieved the missing sleeve but then again it didn't cost me anything either. So all in all speedy service.
What a movie!:
How can this be? A movie based on a comic book character that not only doesn't suck, it actually improves on the original story of the origins of the character! Unlike most super hero movies, Iron Man is mostly an unknown and therefore easier to work with without totally ruining it for anyone who read and followed the old comics. That said, this is just a great movie with a smart story and excellent casting. Absolutely great to own and can't wait for the sequel.
Story, anyone?:
I would appreciate it if someone here would talk more about the storyline of this movie, and what happens in it. I have not seen it. I only gave it one star because I have not seen it, and I'm not familiar with it. Thanks.
