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Iron Man (2008)

Director: Jon Favreau

Time Out rating

Average user rating

84 reviews

Synopsis

The latest Marvel comic book to receive a big screen adaptation, this one stars Robert Downey Jr. as the titular tycoon-cum-superhero.

Movie review

From Time Out London

Playboy weapons magnate Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is a greased amalgam of Howard Hughes, Hugh Hefner and C-3PO, complete with an enviable battery of glib banter and a goatee you could set your watch by. On a routine sales trip to the Middle East, his Humvee is ambushed by a terrorist cell and he is dragged away to a cave, where he is forced to reproduce one of his high-powered missiles with some scrap metal and a soldering iron.

Instead, Stark uses those materials to construct a suit of robotic body armour and flee from the extremists’ clutches. This channels his epiphany – perhaps long overdue – that profiteering from weapons is far from the Promethean zenith of overarching compassion he once thought it was. He returns a changed man and, with the help of his svelte assistant ‘Pepper’ (Gwyneth Paltrow) and best mate Jim Rhodes (Terrence Howard), builds a shiny suit of armour with which he plans to put an end to warfare for good.

All this liberal hand-wringing comes much to the chagrin of the sinisterly named Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), Stark’s devious benefactor, who doesn’t shine to his peacenik jabbering one bit. Stane sports both a bald pate and a beard, a red flag combination in comic-book land if ever there was one.

Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau has proved with his past directorial efforts, including buddy comedy ‘Made’, Christmas film ‘Elf’ and kids’ fantasy ‘Zathura’, that he has a keen eye for character and can spin a decent yarn. Sadly, these two qualities are rarely apparent here, replaced instead by quick-fix one-liners and predictable set-piece gags. Like Iron Man’s suit, Favreau’s film feels like it has been meticulously assembled rather than lovingly formed. It’s little more than an elongated, episodic and sporadically charming introduction to the life of this mechanised millionaire superhero, light on both CGI and moral quandaries, and possessing neither the zip and sparkle of a ‘Spider-Man’ nor the brooding existential subtexts of ‘Batman Begins’.

Author: David Jenkins 2008-04-25 14:51:20

Time Out London Issue 1967: April 30 - May 6

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User reviews of this film

Mike in Plymouth said...

Posted on May 20 2008 23:32 This film was great! Good script, and effects will blow you away. Downey Jr was awsome as both the egotistical amorous billionaire (too believable) and the troubled humanitarian. One for the boys and enough to keep the girls happy.

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mike said...

Posted on May 20 2008 18:10 Im not one for these marvel type films like spiderman and such but this was amazing!
loved every secod of it!
its a proper lads film though with fast cars, girls, guns and explosions
so good...

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Helen Hasmig said...

Posted on May 19 2008 01:38 Though not a fan of this genre, I absolutely loved every minute of it. Can't imagine anyone not liking it. Hard time getting my usual movie buff friends to agree to see it. A real delight.

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stigman said...

Posted on May 17 2008 11:36 lets not forget the peeps who bother to write even a comment on the film are most probably fanatics hence the good reviews from them, i how ever feel cheated out my money from the ever increasing ticket purchase prices & the price of popcorn etc etc etc !

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ken edwards said...

Posted on May 15 2008 20:15 Simply dreadful!

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Lukeyman said...

Posted on May 15 2008 10:57 Bit of a samey superhero story line but quite enjoyed this last night. Mr Jr was very good in it. He did look a bit like Al Pachino mind... The suit cgi is cool! Now they've set the scene I'm looking forward to the sequel! Trailer for the new Hulk film looked rubbish... looking forward to the new Indy film and Will Smith's Hancock .

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chrissyrozes said...

Posted on May 13 2008 17:44 Such a fantastic film!!! I am not an action film kind of girl, but this was beyond my expectations completely! I loved every moment of the film! and lets just say ladies that robert downey junior made it worth EVERYPENNY!!!! it was great, i can't praise it enough! go and see it you will not be disapointed! i will deffinatly be buying this one on dvd!!!

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immy said...

Posted on May 12 2008 15:57 The reviewer for timeout has got this one wrong, this is a very good movie indeed, up there with spidey and better than xmen, and kicks superman returns's arse all the way back to krypton!! well recommended.. ps wait till the credits end for a snipet of Iron Man 2!

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Lance said...

Posted on May 11 2008 12:16 Forgot the stars last time. Still an amazing film though.

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rizwan said...

Posted on May 11 2008 11:13 iron man is very good movie,it,s one of the best movie in the world,don,t miss it guyz go and watch it

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Lance said...

Posted on May 10 2008 19:04 Amazing Film!!!

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max said...

Posted on May 10 2008 16:56 I thought the movie was thee best movie i have ever seen and i would reccomened everyone to go and watch it.

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Aaron said...

Posted on May 09 2008 19:08 top notch movie. guys, u will spend the entire thing uttering the phrase "i want it". id say the girls will aswell.
in my opinion the best superhero move out there.
GO AND SEE IT.

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davoid23 said...

Posted on May 08 2008 15:38 A superb film. Don't expect "Just another Marvel". This film really holds it's own even if you have no idea about Iron Man. The Special Effects are dazzling and the suit looks amazing, without looking too cartoony. The only trouble I found with it, is that it didn't use the suit enough! He flies around a little and blows up bad guys, but there isn't enough time spent looking into all the gadgets, but even this is only a small niggle. The acting is top notch from all directions, with Robert Downey Jr really stealing the show. His portrayals of Tony Stark AND of Iron Man are both excellent and his timing suits the scripts humour perfectly. If you like the Iron Man comics you will love this film. If you've never heard of Iron Man, you will deffinately enjoy it anyway. A must see for anyone who enjoys cinema.
8.5 / 10

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merch drwg said...

Posted on May 08 2008 13:40 i think it looks amazin, but my friends dnt wana watch it.....o well,it get it on dvd instead! :) HUMAN RIGHTS 4 CHINA!

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