06 May 2008

Iron Man: a movie review

Ok, I admit it. I'm a sucker for superhero movies. Save for Punisher and Elektra, I have watched the Batmans , Supermans and X-Men and eagerly anticipate whatever Marvel or DC Comics will pull from its hat in the future. And though Iron Man isn't exactly one of my favorite heroes, the teasers were enough to get me reeled in, hook, line and sinker.

Well... I have watched the movie twice and I must say that I really like how the story of Iron Man was told. It wasn't all eye candy, although I should give credit to the cinematic crew for creating such a hi-tech environment that's not at all impossible, what with the recent developments in AI and virtual reality.

I must say, I am indeed impressed at how these two technologies have been fused together to allow for full human interaction with system design and analysis. Tony Stark, a certified genius for creating electronic marvels, accomplishes his feats with his robotic arm assistants and virtual reality, 3D interface. I am awed enough to have my interest sparked once again in robotics and AI. Yes, I'm a frustrated computer engineer (that course was not yet offered when I was in college - don't ask what year that was).

Iron Man gives us a glimpse of how man exerts his power of technology to bring either productivity, or destruction. Tony Stark makes a 360-degree turn on his outlook of life as he becomes entrenched in a trap which he inadvertently helped create: a trap of demise and cruelty. And using the skills that he possess, he creates a force to combat that evil.

This is a feel-good movie, and the action scenes do not disappoint. No mutants or space people this time, just humans and their hi-tech toys, making this film truly believable. I have not read any Iron Man comic title, but I believe that Robert Downey, Jr. did an exceptional job at depicting the complex character that's Tony Stark. It was a pleasure seeing Gwyneth Paltrow as well as the faithful assistant Pepper Potts. And Jeff Bridges! My, has he grown old! Or was his character simply meant to be that way?

Overall I love the plot, the eye candy, the characters, the cars, the computers, the robots. The war scenes where the people hide in houses and the enemy throws bombs inside or riddles it with bullets even reminded me of the book I read about World War II in Manila. I wish there was an Iron Man back then.

12 comments:

  1. Anonymous2:32 am

    One word for Iron Man:

    ASTIG!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:33 am

    i heard robert downey was really good here. will watch this soon :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Casting was superb, I agree. And ILM did a great job on the FX, as usual.

    Aside from the CG Iron Man, they actually had real iron suits made for Robert Downey (and stunt doubles) to wear. Wonder how heavy those weighed?
    ^ ^;

    Lots of hints dropped for a sequel / spin-off... War Machine? The Avengers?! Kahit na ano, I am eagerly awaiting it. :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Toni: I am.... Legend! hehe

    Lady Cess: Yes, do watch it! Nice movie!

    Meowok: Oo nga! I forgot to mention in my post that you ought to watch til the end kasi meron pang katuloy yung film!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous12:36 am

    hello! salamat sa pagdalaw ulit ha... by the way.. i link u up.. ay nasabi ko na ba un dati...

    I may say.. "Ironman is great!!!" Ayaw ko pa nga manood nung una kac d ko type e.. tapos since puno ang moviehaus, dun kami nakapwesto sa unahan.. ah 2nd row.. hehe.. pero its all worth it.. one of the best movies i watched :D...

    ReplyDelete
  6. very nice review. makes me wonder why I still haven't seen it. ah alam ko na, iniwan ako ng anak ko at may ka date sya. bwiset!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous4:17 pm

    Ini-invite ako ng friend ko na panoorin daw namin bukas ang Iron Man... sana makapanood nga kami.

    Happy Wednesday!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Rachel: link rin kita!

    Tito Rolly: bwahahaha! Pinatawa mo nanaman ako!

    Wendy: Thanks for dropping by and Happy Wednesday too!

    ReplyDelete
  9. i think i'll be seeing this on sunday, back-to-back ng ploning!!!

    wait, is Iron Man on the same league with Transformers and Batman Begins?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Zherwin: I would say... in league sya with Batman. I also enjoyed the Transformers but since it was radically different from the TV series, medyo may misgivings ako syempre. At namatay si Jazz sa movie , and he's one of my peborits!!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thoughts from a Marvel fan:

    1. The original storyline was that Iron Man is Tony Stark's personal bodyguard and corporate mascot of Stark Industries. What lengths superheroes go through to hide their true identities. Hehehe.

    2. Choosing Downey as Tony Stark was a great idea since he really looks like Tony. Much like the forthcoming Hulk with Norton as Banner.

    3. I would prefer the original yellow color of Iron Man's chest plate over white shown in the movie.

    4. Obadiah Stane was not a Stark caretaker in the original comics plot.

    5. James Rhodes became Iron Man when Tony became an alcoholic and a vagrant.

    6. Overall, the movie was great! And yes, worth a third or fourth watch.

    I am happy you liked it, Nick. =)

    ReplyDelete
  12. saw it din sa mycinema for free. may product presentation kasi supplier. indiana jones naman later...free uli...may food pa saka minsan my freebies and raffle prizes :P

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...