IRON MAN

Genre - Comic Book/Action Adventure

Year Released - 2008

Running Time - 125 minutes

Directed by Jon Favreau (who also directed Elf and Zathura)

Written by Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby (both of whom wrote Children of Men - which I didn't like so much) Hawk, however, is the writer of The First Avenger: Captain America - slated for a 2011 Release. . .

Cast Includes Robert Downey Jr, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Terrence Howard

Rating: 5 Skulls

Plot Summary:

After surviving an unexpected attack in enemy territory, jet-setting industrialist Tony Stark builds a high-tech suit of armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. Straight from the pages of the legendary Marvel comic book, Iron Man is a hero who is built - not born - to be unlike any other.

This is not Iron Giant

Review:

I am assuming that the majority of you out there have already seen this movie. [hopefully anyway] ;-) If not, you need to!

I am not going to say too much, other than the fact that, as a fan of the comic books, this movie was dead-on! Robert Downey Jr was PERFECT in the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man. [I found an easter egg, on the DVD, where Stan Lee (the creator of Iron Man) said it best - Robert was born to play this role!] :-) Also, both Jeff Bridges & Gwyneth Paltrow were excellent in their roles as well.

I always look forward to Stan Lee's cameos, and I was thrilled to see him mistaken for Hugh Hefner - too funny! Also, Jon Favreau (the director) playing Tony's driver, was too cool :-)

I was in Seattle when this movie was released in the theatre, and I actually had a friend fly out, from Florida, to watch it with me. He too is a comic geek (I say that with utmost respect) and I remember he and I were just so INTO the movie - those around us, not so much so. I am glad to see that this movie has become what it has!

As for the DVD, if you have not bought it yet, Target has the Ultimate 2-Disc Edition that comes in a really cool Iron Man mask case ~ very cool. The discs are loaded with special features, all of which I have already watched. [there is a 7-part "making of" Documentary, a 6-part "History of the Hero", a Visual Effects piece, Still Galleries, and more] It is truly amazing how much thought and detail went into this movie! Unfortunately, there is no Commentary!! [neither director nor actor's] This bums me out! I hate the fact that DVD Companies release 'better' versions later. (I for one would rather wait for a fully loaded DVD, than have to buy another one later on) In fact, I no longer buy better versions, unless absolutely necessary ;-) I 'll just rent the better disc, from Netflix, just for the Commentary, or whatever.

One other thing - if you are a woman reading this, you too will like this movie (my wife, my sister, and my mother all did) Plus, Stan Lee (in one of the DVD features) talked about how Iron Man (the comic) received the most Fan Mail, from women! :-)

Not that it's needed - here's the trailer:

Jason