Iron Man

(Guest Review by Russ)

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: A billionaire weapons specialist, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) questions his life’s work after being held hostage by terrorists and creates a high-tech suit of armor, allowing him to become the iconic super-hero, Iron Man.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Robert Downey Jr., Terence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb, Shaun Toub, Clark Gregg, Faran Tahir, Samuel L. Jackson

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Go! The Marvel super-hero ‘origin story’ has been done to death, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from finding pure entertainment and fun in watching the birth of Iron Man. Filled with eye-popping visuals and a standout performance from Downey Jr., Iron Man is simply one of the best comic-book hero movies to hit theaters EVER.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A: With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Downey Jr. throws off witty asides throughout that stay true to the character and will keep you chuckling.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A: No, but that shouldn’t be a strike against it.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: Tech awards probably await, but the acting should not be overlooked. If Johnny Depp can be Oscar-nominated for playing a Disney pirate, why not Downey Jr. for a super hero? Yes, he’s that good.

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Where so many super hero movies give short shrift to character, Iron Man gets it right because Downey makes us actually care about this guy, and what he’s doing. Jeff Bridges is perfectly cast as the villain, and Gwyneth Paltrow plays the lovelorn assistant to absolute perfection, bringing a nice balance of current and classic heroine to the role.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Jon Favreau’s biggest hit to date was Elf, and his comedy chops serve him well in this movie. All the action is top-notch, but the comedy and character development are given equal weight and he balances it all perfectly. One can only hope he signs on for the inevitable sequel. As much as Bryan Singer put his personal stamp on the X-Men franchise, Favreau does the same with Iron Man.

Q: How is the story/script?

A: It’s an origin story so there’s not a lot that we haven’t seen before, but at least it’s original to this particular super-hero, and for that reason alone the script is a winner. We’re (thankfully) spared scenes of Iron Man saving kittens from trees, and instead his heroics are organic to the story that’s being told. It’s a refreshing change and goes a long way toward making this movie a great start to the summer movie-going season.

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Charlie Bartlett

Q: What’s the movie about?

A: After getting kicked out of every private school in town, Charlie Bartlett is forced to go to public school, where he tries to gain popularity by doling out therapeutic advice and perscription meds to the other kids.

Q: Who’s in the movie?

A: Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings, Tyler Hilton, Mark Rendall, Megan Park

Q: Is this movie worth the price of admission?

A: Proceed with Caution. While it comes close to being a modern day Ferris Bueller, the main character only has half the charisma and the story only has a fourth of the heart.

Q: Will this movie make me laugh?

A:The other people in the theater laughed more than I did. There were two or three really good lines.

Q: Will this movie make me cry?

A:If it does, you have Robert Downey Jr. and his mind blowing acting to thank.

Q: Will this movie be up for any awards?

A: It would be a good candidate for a Clio (advertising) Award, because it does a great job of conveying the message that prescription Ritalin is fun for all ages. I might even go so far as to speculate that they paid for product placement... Oh, and did you know that it makes high school girls take their tops off?

Q: How is the Acting?

A: Robert Downey Jr. is amazing and complex in a role that lesser actors would have phoned in. Kat Dennings is so real looking and acting that you sometimes forget she's an actress. Anton Yelchin has some good scenes and some great moments, but at times there is a depth lacking in his eyes.

Q: How is the Directing?

A: Jon Poll's directorial debut is at once commercial and arthouse, seemlessly walking the line between creativity and mainstream accessibility.

Q: How is the story/script?

A:This was a very hot script when it went to market. Gustin Nash's writing became the standard for what a teen movie should read like (until Diablo Cody of Juno-fame dethroned him this year). I have read the script and seen the movie, and while I give him credit for writing characters that may feel real to today's kids, the heart is missing from this story. I was never bored, but I never felt completely engaged either.

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