Iron Man
By Marshall Fine
Rating:
Who's in it: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard
What's it about: A billionaire weapons-maker (Downey) decides to stop making bombs and serve mankind instead, creating a gadget-packed metal suit in which he can fight bad guys.
Heavy metal: Based on the Marvel Comics hero, this movie is jump-started by the inspired casting of Downey. He's perfect as Tony Stark, the hard-living playboy who loves making money by building things that blow stuff up. But when he's captured by Afghan terrorists and forced to build them a weapon, he instead builds himself a crude robot suit with plenty of fire-power to escape. Once he gets back to America, he renounces WMDs - then has to fight his mentor, Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), who wants to take control of Stark Industries - and is willing to kill Tony to grab the reins. Director Jon Favreau makes the action big and splashy, with plenty of excitement but also a dose of humor. The same with the story itself: Though Stark gets serious, the movie always leaves Downey room for a playfulness that lets him wisecrack without making the whole thing seem like a joke. Paltrow, as Stark's assistant, adds a note of witty sexual tension, while Bridges - his head shaved, his full beard gray - brings just the right note of madness as the villain. Plus the Iron Man suit rocks.
Long story short: This one will have you cheering.
More Reviews
Traitor
In this thriller, an American Muslim goes undercover among jihadists to find a terrorist leader and stop a bombing in the U.S.
In this thriller, an American Muslim goes undercover among jihadists to find a terrorist leader and stop a bombing in the U.S.
Vicky Christina Barcelona
Two American girls spend a summer in Barcelona and find themselves both attracted to the same artist in this Woody Allen romantic comedy.
Two American girls spend a summer in Barcelona and find themselves both attracted to the same artist in this Woody Allen romantic comedy.
Tropic Thunder
While making a war movie in the Southeast Asian jungle, movie stars encounter a real drug gang - and think it's part of the movie.
While making a war movie in the Southeast Asian jungle, movie stars encounter a real drug gang - and think it's part of the movie.
Hamlet 2
A high school drama teacher in Tucson tries to save his school's theater program by staging an original musical - a sequel to "Hamlet."
A high school drama teacher in Tucson tries to save his school's theater program by staging an original musical - a sequel to "Hamlet."
Fly Me to the Moon 3-D
In this 3D animated comedy, a trio of young houseflies tries to stow away on Apollo 11, the first flight to the moon.
In this 3D animated comedy, a trio of young houseflies tries to stow away on Apollo 11, the first flight to the moon.
The Rocker
Twenty years after missing his shot at the big time, a former hair-metal-band drummer gets another opportunity with a teen emo band.
Twenty years after missing his shot at the big time, a former hair-metal-band drummer gets another opportunity with a teen emo band.
Death Race
In this futuristic action-thriller, prison inmates with life sentences can gain their freedom by winning deadly car races staged for broadband pay-per-view.
In this futuristic action-thriller, prison inmates with life sentences can gain their freedom by winning deadly car races staged for broadband pay-per-view.
Bottle Shock
In 1976, a Paris wine dealer arranges a taste test between French wines and upstart vintages from California - with surprising results.
In 1976, a Paris wine dealer arranges a taste test between French wines and upstart vintages from California - with surprising results.
Sixty-six
Set in 1966, this warm British comedy focuses on an unhappy London kid whose bar mitzvah may be overshadowed by the World Cup soccer final - and his family's failing finances.
Set in 1966, this warm British comedy focuses on an unhappy London kid whose bar mitzvah may be overshadowed by the World Cup soccer final - and his family's failing finances.
Elegy
An aging college professor becomes obsessed with a gorgeous graduate student.
An aging college professor becomes obsessed with a gorgeous graduate student.
Swing Vote
Boozy, unemployed single dad Bud Johnson attracts the world's attention when it turns out his lone vote will decide a presidential election.
Boozy, unemployed single dad Bud Johnson attracts the world's attention when it turns out his lone vote will decide a presidential election.
American Teen
This documentary follows four small-town Indiana high-school kids through their senior year.
This documentary follows four small-town Indiana high-school kids through their senior year.
Baghead
Four friends go to a remote cabin to write a horror movie (and hook up). But then the horror movie actually starts to happen to them.
Four friends go to a remote cabin to write a horror movie (and hook up). But then the horror movie actually starts to happen to them.
Frozen River
When her gambling-addicted husband runs off with all the money, a woman must save her house by shuttling illegal aliens across the Canadian border.
When her gambling-addicted husband runs off with all the money, a woman must save her house by shuttling illegal aliens across the Canadian border.
Step Brothers
When their single parents marry each other, two 40-year-old losers who still live at home must share a bedroom as part of the blended family.
When their single parents marry each other, two 40-year-old losers who still live at home must share a bedroom as part of the blended family.
Mamma Mia
A young woman invites three men (who might be her father) to her wedding without telling her mother - all to the music of ABBA!
A young woman invites three men (who might be her father) to her wedding without telling her mother - all to the music of ABBA!
The Dark Knight
Batman must confront a new villain - the Joker. Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger star.
Batman must confront a new villain - the Joker. Christian Bale, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger star.
Brideshead Revisited
In Depression-era England, a would-be artist becomes entangled with the rich family of his new best friend.
In Depression-era England, a would-be artist becomes entangled with the rich family of his new best friend.
CSNY: Deja vu
Neil Young directs a documentary about Crosby Stills Nash & Young's 2006 "Freedom of Speech" tour.
Neil Young directs a documentary about Crosby Stills Nash & Young's 2006 "Freedom of Speech" tour.
Take
A woman drives to the desert to confront the man who took everything from her, before his execution.
A woman drives to the desert to confront the man who took everything from her, before his execution.
