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)

A fun popcorn fairy tale, totally comparable to Green Lantern in my view. No, I don't feel that Iron Man is significantly better. The whole thing stands and falls on the stardom of Robert, who almost killed Ally McBeal with his incompetence a few years ago, but he is very popular these days. Gwyneth is cute, but she's getting on in years after all, and Jeff is already in the "saying goodbye to his audience" category. It’s a straightforward film that is more satisfying when Stan Lee's cameo arrives. (05/01/2013)

Two years later, but yes, I've now seen Iron Man. There is no point in accusing the film of having a clichéd story - it won me over with the main character played by Downey. A sarcastic playboy, with a sense of dry humor and, in the second half of the film also a sense of justice, is great. Not as much as, say, Hellboy, but he is great. Perfect are the scenes between his Stark and Potts' Gwyneth Paltrow, when the screen sparkled, some might say too much. Add to that great effects and action scenes (the trip to Afghanistan and the return with the YF-22 Raptor lead the way) and a more or less standard (but decent for a villain) Jeff Bridges, who looks REALLY good... I'm giving it four pure stars. (07/20/2010)

A funny and entertaining gem that is several miles ahead of the awkward and clumsy Spiderman with its lightness and detachment. Robert Downey Jr. is incredibly sharp, his condo in Malibu beach is flawless, just like the black Rolls & Royce tearing up the roads. All of this wrapped in a dynamic action suit with the label “500 charges”. Unlike Spider-Man, Hulk or Hellboy, this guy will dig deep under your skin and make you want to see him in action again and again. He's not a good guy, not a classic do-gooder, and he indulges himself in luxury to the fullest. And that's exactly why he can afford to be so confident and smoothly move forward where most competitors play the good souls and saviors of humanity, while the whole usually grinds. The most entertaining and adult comic-book film of the past few years. Understandably made 300 million in the USA. Technically flawless. (09/25/2008)

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)