ZebraspotsSequels and Iron Man - Match made in Heaven?
May 3rd 2010 17:55
Two long years after the release of Iron Man, the long-anticipated sequel will finally hit theatres this Friday. Oh the suspense! Will it be as good? Better? Terrible?
Long ago, I lost my faith in Hollywood sequels. They are money-grabbing schemes designed to build up the original fan basis into a frenzy only to let them down with a weak plot, recycled characters, and bad puns.
Trilogies are even worse because now they are revved up for something even more epic. The original fans think maybe they were just saving up their awesomeness for a big bang at the end and the new fans are ready for anything because they have low expectations to begin with
*cough* Pirates of the Caribbean *cough*
But, judge not lest ye be judged.
Here is my original review of Iron Man, in case you need your memory jogged or can't manage to rent the last copy sitting on Blockbuster's shelves.
The political superhero
4 stars
Exciting explosions. Fierce fights. Colossal crashes. All things that barely make up one tenth of the two hour movie, Iron Man. For a film classified as "action," there is very little of it.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a weapons manufacturer, is kidnapped by terrorists and ordered to build a highly destructive weapon for them. Of course, being an intelligent man who would never assist the enemy, Stark tricks his captors into providing him with supplies to build a self-defense suit/weapon. Yes, the Iron Man suit. After surviving this terrible, three-month ordeal, Stark decides to turn his skills towards the greater good. That's how the story of the world's new superhero begins this time.
Audiences love the cute sidekicks, of course. So who is Iron Man's sidekick? An adorable robot bestowed with a dog-like personality and a disembodied voice called Jarvis, another robot. The former adds a bit of comic relief and the latter seems more like a narrator, added in for the benefit of telling the viewers what is going on or promoting Stark to tell us his inner thoughts. Both are helpful and further the idea that Stark is rolling in cash.
The plot is wonderful, as well as the dialog. I absolutely love the screenplay. Unfortunately, it takes more than a good concept and a cool idea to make a good movie. I did not think I would ever say this of an action movie, but this would have been much better as a book. The story does not need a picture to go with it, there is enough in the words. Save for about two fight sequences (which are, in fact, necessary) there is nothing that requires you to watch the movie.
The actors, though, make you want to keep you eyes on the screen. Robert Downey Jr. gives a fantastic performance. He makes each character so unique that it is easy to forget he has been in over sixty movies. This one is no different. He shows the emotions of Stark's transformation from distant, self-centered jerk to an almost caring person. Thankfully, the transformation does not happen instantly with the help of "movie magic." We're allowed to remember that he's still human.
Iron Man is a great story, but it is not a great movie. But since the plot is so well developed and the few special effects that are used ("few" in terms of other recent films) are excellent, I allow it a prestigious four stars and a recommendation to young children as well as adults.
*Photo and all content does not belong to me. Property of Paramont pictures and Marvel
Long ago, I lost my faith in Hollywood sequels. They are money-grabbing schemes designed to build up the original fan basis into a frenzy only to let them down with a weak plot, recycled characters, and bad puns.
Trilogies are even worse because now they are revved up for something even more epic. The original fans think maybe they were just saving up their awesomeness for a big bang at the end and the new fans are ready for anything because they have low expectations to begin with
*cough* Pirates of the Caribbean *cough*
But, judge not lest ye be judged.
Here is my original review of Iron Man, in case you need your memory jogged or can't manage to rent the last copy sitting on Blockbuster's shelves.
Stop bad sequels in the name of Hollywood!
The political superhero
4 stars
Exciting explosions. Fierce fights. Colossal crashes. All things that barely make up one tenth of the two hour movie, Iron Man. For a film classified as "action," there is very little of it.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a weapons manufacturer, is kidnapped by terrorists and ordered to build a highly destructive weapon for them. Of course, being an intelligent man who would never assist the enemy, Stark tricks his captors into providing him with supplies to build a self-defense suit/weapon. Yes, the Iron Man suit. After surviving this terrible, three-month ordeal, Stark decides to turn his skills towards the greater good. That's how the story of the world's new superhero begins this time.
Audiences love the cute sidekicks, of course. So who is Iron Man's sidekick? An adorable robot bestowed with a dog-like personality and a disembodied voice called Jarvis, another robot. The former adds a bit of comic relief and the latter seems more like a narrator, added in for the benefit of telling the viewers what is going on or promoting Stark to tell us his inner thoughts. Both are helpful and further the idea that Stark is rolling in cash.
The plot is wonderful, as well as the dialog. I absolutely love the screenplay. Unfortunately, it takes more than a good concept and a cool idea to make a good movie. I did not think I would ever say this of an action movie, but this would have been much better as a book. The story does not need a picture to go with it, there is enough in the words. Save for about two fight sequences (which are, in fact, necessary) there is nothing that requires you to watch the movie.
The actors, though, make you want to keep you eyes on the screen. Robert Downey Jr. gives a fantastic performance. He makes each character so unique that it is easy to forget he has been in over sixty movies. This one is no different. He shows the emotions of Stark's transformation from distant, self-centered jerk to an almost caring person. Thankfully, the transformation does not happen instantly with the help of "movie magic." We're allowed to remember that he's still human.
Iron Man is a great story, but it is not a great movie. But since the plot is so well developed and the few special effects that are used ("few" in terms of other recent films) are excellent, I allow it a prestigious four stars and a recommendation to young children as well as adults.
*Photo and all content does not belong to me. Property of Paramont pictures and Marvel
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