| Iron Man Review
by Tim Wassberg 
"Iron Man" has
had the buzz of a titan, most specifically in range to its star Robert
Downey Jr. The movie has its share of cool integrations of graphical
intensity. However the reality is based on a predilection of a script
that is a little more (or a little less) grounded. It begins in good
faith and the structure of showing Tony Stark's transformation is a
valid one. The best elements by far are of Downey's interplay with
technology using his trademark wit. His style of acting, and perhaps
even his improv, work to great avail here. The problem is that when
things get highly technical (as in the end fight), it becomes formulaic
because the character work becomes secondary to the effects. The
problem is also that the supporting characters, despite their enormous
talent pool, is at times ill suited with nothing to do. Jeff Bridges
plays a dispirited villain but one without structure. Bridges is
immersed, that is for sure. His breakdown on Downey in the Malibu house
is fairly neat and brings to mind a reverse engineer of his TRON
character. However his build up lacks back up. Gwyneth Paltrow is given
a thankless female role with no degree of severe backlash. I believe
the biggest misstep however was Terrence Howard. He is a very good
actor but is stuck saying very blase lines. Granted this is a superhero
movie. And as I said, when Downey is by himself, surrounded by the
technology, some of the elements are golden because it plays upon that
humor and that makes it work. Jon Favreau is a cool guy and I have
always enjoyed talking to him. "Elf" had its moments. I really liked
the idea and alot of the execution in "Zathura". The problem is that
"Iron Man" feels remarkably empty despite its best efforts. Transition
is good thing and the picture stays true to its roots in alot of
respects. However, in others, it loses its place. Out of 5, I give it a
2.
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