5 Second Review: Iron Man

Marvel's latest big-screen outing opens up 2008's summer blockbuster season.

Pros:

• As you may have seen from the trailer, kickass factor is high.
• Robert Downey Jr is absolutely inspired casting. He doesn't quite carry the movie (it doesn't need to be carried), but is definitely it's strongest point.
• It's handled very well by former Swinger Jon Favreau, a fair bit of action, a fair bit of cracking wise.
  
• Great opening.
• Great ending.
• I think it's fair to say that we've got to the stage that great effects are a given in this type of movie, but nonetheless, it still helps.
  
• Lots of appropriate rock & metal (apparently even the score was composed on distorted guitar before being transcribed for an orchestra).
  
• I would have easily sit through another hour or so.

Cons:

• I wouldn't be Gwyneth Paltrow's biggest fan.
• Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be enough of a 'Bad Guy'. The villain of the piece seems like something of an afterthought.
• The climax could have delivered more.
  
• As usual with genesis stories, a lot of hero time is lost (though the genesis here is still cool).

Great popcorn flick, cool action, and that trademark Downey Jr wit we all love (see Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)- what more could we want?

Better villain? Probably. Several more hours of Iron Man action? Hell yes.

Thankfully Downey Jr is a big Iron Man fan, so has already pledged his commitment to more flicks. And judging by the name dropped in the post-credits sequence, any sequels may be substantially bigger in scope. Bring it on.

Check out the post-credits sequence here while you can.