Iron Man

Single use super hero. Downey and his charisma give the film far more than a cool effect while the story is a flight of fancy by an enthusiastic screenwriter with an American flag tattooed on his chest. A typical guilty pleasure product that doesn't bring much new to the table, but is so likeable and entertaining that you’ll always find your way to it in the end. And where neither a flimsy script nor spectacular action is enough, everything is supported by the demonic Jeff Bridges together with Downey and Gwyneth Paltrow, who is increasingly sexy as the years go by... The potential was a bit higher, as the excellent third movie shows :-) 80% (11/01/2013)

Robert Downey Jr. is Iron Man. Without him, this film would really be just routine scrap metal, but thanks to Downey, Gwynneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges, it's a surprisingly catchy and likeable film. Of course, it's hard not to see Favreau et al. behind Downey with all those action scenes that lack decent ideas. Nevertheless, except for the ending, I had more fun with this stupid thing than I have had for a long time. Marvel should perhaps find better directors and better screenplays, but even the first X-Men feels a bit cumbersome... I’m happy to wait for Stark's next arrival. (05/04/2008)

A film for boys who still want to and can play. The villain is ruthless, the friend loyal, the secretary kind and faithful, and we all know where it's all heading. But this is exactly what I wanted and I got it served up so quickly and humorously that I hold my breath at the thought of a sequel. Moreover, Downey seems to have been born in a massive suit, and his lines, jeers, or subtle compliments to Pepper are exactly the kind of glosses that everyone wants to conjure up at some point, just a little late to the party. He's an incredible rich man who can fly and have the most beautiful girls. And I wish him all that, I don't envy him, and I am only fervently rooting for him. (05/31/2008)

Robert Downey Jr. is a dude. Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. I couldn’t imagine anybody else in this role. His charisma and wisecracks give the picture style and, without him, Iron Man would be half-assed and definitely a lot less entertaining. Favreau takes the entire movie in the right direction (no wonder, because it was him who got Downey involved in the project), not so serious, slightly fateful and also true to the comic book. The action scenes from ILM also worked really well, even though the battle sequence was Stark’s escape from captivity, which involved a minimum of special effects. Personally, for me Iron Man has greater magic than my former favorite Spider-Man, and that’s saying something. P.S.: The post-credits scene with the allusion to the Avengers is magical. (05/19/2008)

That intro in Afghanistan, along with the snide remarks on American foreign policy today, is a little off from the rest of the film, which is deep in the waters of comic-book hyperbole thanks to its flamboyance. Yet as much as I didn't want to believe it myself, the film ultimately works beautifully without Favreau pulling off any flashy action or uncompromisingly innovative ideas. The film is built on the actors (yes, Downey could have taken a drink with him into the film) and the fast pace that races through the simple dialogue, which is a joy to listen to thanks to life’s bon mots and (once again) the actors. The standard genre archetypes of heroes are unexpectedly subverted (who is it that gives Stark his heart after all?) and it still manages to be sympathetically intrusive in the circle of a family spectacle for an evening, all whilst winking at those who have already made some films. I have a feeling that nobody will take the title of "most pleasant surprise of the year" away from Iron Man. 4 ½. (09/17/2008)