Iron Man (Marvel 2008, Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow)

Iron Man, or the revitalisation of Robert Downey Jr, as well as being the kick starter for whole current Marvel Cinematic Universe world domination plan, is a glorious, action filled, high octane, super hero romp that is not to be missed.

Downey Jr plays multi-millionaire industrialist and technological weapons genius Tony Stark, who, at the start of the movie, is actually behind enemy lines having just given a demonstration of a major new weapon built by Stark Industries. When an unexpected attack on the humvee he is travelling in leaves him captured and almost left for dead, he is pressganged by the enemy to build them a version of his new missile, secretly though he is building himself an incredible suit of armour with which to make his escape.

Once back in the US he spends his recuperation time refining and building an all new shiny red, sleek and amazing new version of his suit and when he learns of a plot inside the very heart of Stark Industries and all it stands for, he decides that what the world needs now is not love, sweet love – but IRON MAN; Testing out the water with some daredevil heroics and dazzling pyrotechnics Tony learns that someone he thought was a mentor and friend is behind the plot – setting the stage for a mighty, special effects filled showdown between Iron Man and his arch nemesis.

Wild and entertaining and with its tongue firmly in its cheek Iron Man is a blast (quite literally with some of the set pieces), great to see the lovely Gwyneth back, even if she is mainly under used here and the always brilliant Jeff Bridges rounds out the lead players nicely.

production details
USA | Marvel | 126 minutes | 2008

Director: Jon Favreau
Script: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby, Art Marcum, Matt Holloway, Don Heck,

cast
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark / Iron Man
Terrence Howard as Lt. Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes / War Machine
Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane / Iron Monger
Gwyneth Paltrow as Virginia “Pepper” Potts
Shaun Toub as Ho Yinsen
Faran Tahir as Raza
Leslie Bibb as Christine Everhart
Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson
Paul Bettany as J.A.R.V.I.S. (voice)
Jon Favreau as Harold “Happy” Hogan
Will Lyman as Award Ceremony Narrator (voice)
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Tom Morello as Guard
Jim Cramer as Jim Cramer
Sayed Badreya as Abu Bakaar
Bill Smitrovich as General Gabriel
Peter Billingsley as William Ginter Riva
Tim Guinee as Major Allen
Stan Lee as Stan Lee
Marco Khan as Guard
Daston Kalili as Guard
Ido Ezra as Guard
Kevin Foster as Jimmy
Garret Noël as Pratt
Eileen Weisinger as Ramirez
Ahmed Ahmed as Ahmed
Fahim Fazli as Omar
Gerard Sanders as Howard Stark
Tim Rigby as Viper 1
Russell Richardson as Viper 2
Nazanin Boniadi as Amira Ahmed
Thomas Craig Plumer as Colonel Craig
Robert Berkman as Dealer at Craps Table
Stacy Stas as Woman at Craps Table
Lauren Scyphers as Woman at Craps Table
Frank Nyi as Engineer
Marvin Jordan as Air Force Officer
Donna Evans as Woman In SUV
Reid Harper as Kid in SUV
Summer Kylie Remington as Kid in SUV
Ava Rose Williams as Kid in SUV
Vladimir Kubr as Kid in SUV
Callie Croughwell as Kid in SUV
Javan Tahir as Gulmira Kid
Sahar Bibiyan as Gulmira Mom
Patrick O’Connell as Reporter
Adam Harrington as Reporter
Meera Simhan as Reporter
Ben Newmark as Reporter
Ricki Lander as Flight Attendant
Jeannine Kaspar as Flight Attendant
Sarah Cahill as Flight Attendant
Justin Rex as Air Force Lieutenant
Zorianna Kit as Zorianna Kit
Lana Kinnear as Stan’s Girl
Nicole Lindeblad as Stan’s Girl
Masha Lund as Stan’s Girl
Gabrielle Tuite as Stan’s Girl
Tim Griffin as CAOC Analyst
Joshua Harto as CAOC Analyst
Micah A. Hauptman as CAOC Analyst
James Bethea as CAOC Analyst
Jeffrey Ashkin as Photographer (uncredited)
Russell Bobbitt as Georgio (uncredited)
Vianessa Castaños as Fireman’s Wife (uncredited)
Mike Cochrane as Gulmira Villager (uncredited)
Crystal Marie Denha as Dubai Beauty (uncredited)
Mellany Gandara as Dubai Girl (uncredited)
Halla as House wife at Award Ceremony (uncredited)
Rodrick Hersh as Insurgent (uncredited)
Kristin J. Hooper as Reporter (uncredited)
Chris Jalandoni as Dubai Waiter (uncredited)
Steve Janousek as Party Guest (uncredited)
Laura Liguori as Dancer in Ballroom (uncredited)
Flavia Manes Rossi as Reporter (uncredited)
Anthony Martins as Village Dad (uncredited)
Robert McMurrer as Reporter (uncredited)
James M. Myers as Airforce Officer (uncredited)
America Olivo as Dubai Beauty #1 (uncredited)
Sylvette Ortiz as Staff Sergeant (uncredited)
Brett Padelford as Journalist (uncredited)
Ajani Perkins as Voice (uncredited)
Chris Reid as Reporter (uncredited)
Toi Rose as News Cameraman (uncredited)
George F. Watson as Rooftop Fireman (uncredited)
David Zyler as Whiplash One (voice) (uncredited)
Nick W. Nicholson as Reporter (uncredited)
Stephen Janousek as Party Guest (uncredited)
Elijah Samuel Quesada as Waiter / Reporter (uncredited)