Iron Man isn't new, it's been out on DVD for a while, but I've decided it's topical because I've only just seen it. As far as comic book films go (so, um, Spiderman 2 and The Dark Knight) this is just below the best. It manages to be loud and stupid in a clever, entertaining way. These things live or die on the characters. If they're just hollow action puppets hitting each other in the face then there's no point. The character:explosions ratio is almost right here. I say almost because it does descend into a dull, robotic fight at the end, which is a shame because they could have done something far more interesting with these characters. Robert Downey Jr gets a lot of time with a face instead of a mask, and Gwyneth-Paltrow-or-Cate-Blanchett (I honestly don't know the difference) is mopey but alright. Is it wrong that I'd rather the climax be a conversation rather than a rocket launcher shoot out?
Also, they restrained themselves from a neat creation-of-the-suit montage. Instead Tony Stark has dialogue with helper robots that have more life in them than most action movie characters.
Gwyneth-Paltrow or Cate-Blanchett?
ReplyDeleteThere's only one way to find out... fight!
Weirdly enough I was re-watching this this afternoon. I do like it.
But then they'd have to appear in the same place together, which obviously couldn't happen. I'll have to check if they've ever been in the same film.
ReplyDeleteThe Talented Mr. Ripley. I have to disagree with you on this one - I think Cate Blanchett can wipe the floor with Gwyneth Paltrow, although I see your point - pale, frequently mopey. I don't think Gwyneth Paltrow in Elizabeth, for instance, would have quite done the job.
ReplyDeleteConversation as climax - Frost/ Nixon.
ReplyDeleteWould make for an interesting mash-up with the superhero genre. Perhaps with Cate Blanchett starring. Or maybe Gwyneth...
Frost/Nixon is on my list of films to watch (an imaginary list but it still exists). I'd like to see a Frost/Batman film, or maybe not.
ReplyDeleteI'm really going to have to learn the difference between Blanchett and Paltrow.
Other than both being tall and blond, there are no similiarities with Cate and Gwyneth.
ReplyDeletef you can't tell the difference, then you need your head examined.