Alright everyone, let’s quit the chit chat and get down to business. Under the microscope this week; the new film release, Iron Man 2 this Summers big block-buster movie. Three DVDs I think would be best when curling up and chilling out on a Friday or Saturday night and if that’s a little too expensive you can find out what film I deem the best of what happens to be on TV that night as well. Up first though it’s:
The Film Review
Iron Man 2
Iron Man 2 is a film I have been thoroughly looking forward to since the first Iron man, (Ignore these comments in the brackets, it’s just my comic book fan like nature shining through) Robert Downey junior’s quick witted cynicism and outright Playboy-esque attitude make him the guy every male teenage boy wants to be when their older. But however in Iron Man 2, Superhero Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) appears to be having the time of his life, but secretly he’s starting to crack from the strain of a mysterious malady. Meanwhile, depraved Russian Ivan Vanko (Rourke) is plotting to annihilate Tony, under the name of super-villain Whiplash (Appropriately named if I say so myself).The first Iron Man, a film only anticipated by those fans of the comic book world (Me included) arrived in cinemas overwhelmed by the hot favourite summer block-busters of that year — After all, It was a low budget superhero movie from the director of Zathura (You probably don’t even know what that is), starring Zodiac’s third lead — and yet, here we sit waiting anxiously for its sequel. Robert Downey Jr. is, for the first time in his 40-year career (That’s too long to be considered a nobody in my eyes), a giant star, and now the lead role in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. And here comes the sequel, hotly awaited as one of the year’s biggest releases, with Favreau hitting all the right chords the action franchise is sure to expand drastically from here. Even its expanding cast is proof of this already.
Like all sequels; someone gets upset because someone else indirectly killed or destroyed all that they hold dear and love and it’s time to seek revenge, just like Iron Man 2. But, unlike those films, the thought and process of revenge is rather entertaining. Although there’s parts of dark drama here: when we meet Tony, he’s hiding from everyone the fact he’s being gradually poisoned by his suit; villain Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) is hell-bent on avenging crimes he felt were committed against his father; and Jim Rhodes (Don Cheadle) is considering betraying Stark by teaming with rival arms dealer Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell). But Jon Favreau avoids going to serious with the whole story in a film about a millionaire playboy who is a super-hero with his high-tech flying suit. And with that Favreau lightens the mood from time to time focusing on gyrating cheerleaders and gleaming tech over inner conflict.
Iron Man 2 Official Trailer
Not that there’s anything wrong with entertainment. I just wished Favreau had made us question Starks survival throughout the film a bit more. The movie’s most memorable scene, Vanko launches an attack on his arch-nemesis at a Grand Prix race track, twirling twin whips that sizzle with electricity. As he effortlessly slices up cars and advances, cackling, on a suitless and scared Stark, it actually feels like there’s something at stake, that our hero is unsure of what to do, we even fear his downfall. However it’s a feeling that’s sadly absent for the majority of the time. The finale could well be particular let down, a fleshed out re-run of the last film’s final scene, in which single expression metal men play what feels like a . (I loved it; nothing beats a good smash up)
But even though we’re left emotionally at a loss, there’s still plenty of charisma. When he’s out of the suit – and Favreau has the good sense to keep him out of the metal mankini for as long as is superhumanly possible – Downey Jr. continues to be unstoppably likeable. Rourke on the other hand does his damn best to create the weirdest villain one could possibly do during his screen time and Sam Rockwell could be said to have stolen the show as Hammer, if it wasn’t for the fact he falls short on every level to Stark.
As for Johansson, well besides demonstrating her gymnastic chops ( I mean skin tight costume for eye candy) When in a hand to hand combat sequence with a great punchline, however she is no villain we all assumed and neither is she quite the hero more a poster girl for The Avengers (due in 2012 as it stands). And although it’s nice to see cameos of future marvel film heroes it weighs down and takes up time which this film badly needed to create a more dynamic story (It’s still class!), But all in all I have no qualms with the numerous teasing references for films about Captain America and Thor or a one-eyed Samuel L. Jackson turning up halfway through as Nick Fury when I get to see Johansson in a cat suit (I mean, it’s skin tight).
Not that there’s anything wrong with entertainment. I just wished Favreau had made us question Starks survival throughout the film a bit more. The movie’s most memorable scene, Vanko launches an attack on his arch-nemesis at a Grand Prix race track, twirling twin whips that sizzle with electricity. As he effortlessly slices up cars and advances, cackling, on a suitless and scared Stark, it actually feels like there’s something at stake, that our hero is unsure of what to do, we even fear his downfall. However it’s a feeling that’s sadly absent for the majority of the time. The finale could well be particular let down, a fleshed out re-run of the last film’s final scene, in which single expression metal men play what feels like a . (I loved it; nothing beats a good smash up)
But even though we’re left emotionally at a loss, there’s still plenty of charisma. When he’s out of the suit – and Favreau has the good sense to keep him out of the metal mankini for as long as is superhumanly possible – Downey Jr. continues to be unstoppably likeable. Rourke on the other hand does his damn best to create the weirdest villain one could possibly do during his screen time and Sam Rockwell could be said to have stolen the show as Hammer, if it wasn’t for the fact he falls short on every level to Stark.
As for Johansson, well besides demonstrating her gymnastic chops ( I mean skin tight costume for eye candy) When in a hand to hand combat sequence with a great punchline, however she is no villain we all assumed and neither is she quite the hero more a poster girl for The Avengers (due in 2012 as it stands). And although it’s nice to see cameos of future marvel film heroes it weighs down and takes up time which this film badly needed to create a more dynamic story (It’s still class!), But all in all I have no qualms with the numerous teasing references for films about Captain America and Thor or a one-eyed Samuel L. Jackson turning up halfway through as Nick Fury when I get to see Johansson in a cat suit (I mean, it’s skin tight).
All in all the result is another summer block-busting-million-dollar-making-movie from Favreau which will of course lead to an Iron Man 3 (Or at least I’m praying it does) and with Rourke and Rockwell making satisfying, complementary villains, and Downey Jr. delivering yet another eye-catching performance it’s hard to see why a third film would be out of the question. It is however a shame this sequel feels inessential, kind of tagged on as a money maker, it’s weighed down with unnecessary publicity cameos, and well, it’s all a bit mechanical. Nothing they can’t put right for Iron Man 3, eh?
The DVD Choices of the Week
- Paranormal Activity (15)
After hearing a series of unearthly noises in their suburban San Diego home, young couple Katie (Featherson) and Micah (Sloat) get their hands on a camcorder to catch the perpetrator. As each night passes, the bangs get louder, the footsteps get closer and Katie reveals a terrible secret...An Amityville for the YouTube age: potent, primal and genuinely frightening.
- The Box (12A)
When a mysterious stranger deposits a box at the door of married couple Arthur (James Marsden) and Norma (Cameron Diaz), they are presented with a stark choice. Do they press the button and receive $1 million, in the knowledge that doing so, someone, somewhere will die?Limited appeal and Many will be perplexed. But Donnie Darko fans should lap it up.
- Dr. Strangelove: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love The Bomb
When a US Air Force colonel goes completely mad and launches a nuclear attack on the USSR. Since the Soviets previously announced a "Failsafe" device that will launch all their missiles if there's an attack on their soil, this could mean that World War III will kick off. The US president and his generals try to stop the bomb.Re-released on DVD, this satirical comedy gold, featuring Peter Sellers' finest three performances you’ll ever see in one film to humourless Kubrick’s dismay definitely worth the watch.
The TV Film choices For Friday/Saturday
Friday 7th May
- Jaws – TV3, 22:00
(1975, Suspense thriller) A New England seaside town's tourist season is turned into a nightmare by a giant killer shark. The local police chief teams up with a grizzled fisherman and a marine biologist to hunt and kill the monster predator. Steven Spielberg's thriller, starring Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw.
(1997, Detective/Thriller) A forensic psychologist hunts for a psychopathic serial kidnapper prowling a university campus and responsible for his niece's disappearance. Working out of his jurisdiction, he defies local law enforcement officials to get to the truth - with the aid of one of the criminal's past victims, a headstrong doctor determined to see her former captor brought to justice. Thriller, starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Cary Elwes, Tony Goldwyn and Jay O Sanders.
Saturday 8th May
- Cinderella Man – RTÉ2, 21:00
(2005, General Movie/Drama) A boxer's career is cut short by a hand injury, and with the onslaught of the Great Depression he struggles to provide for his wife and family. Desperate to make ends meet, he begs his former trainer for another shot at the big time, and is finally given the chance to take on the heavyweight champion of the world. Ron Howard's drama, based on real-life events, starring Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger and Paul Giamatti.
- Full Monty – E4, 21:00
(1997, Comedy) Six unemployed Sheffield steelworkers struggling to make ends meet decide to become strippers for one night only in a bid to raise some extra money. However, with no dancing experience and far from perfect physiques, the men are relying on the unique selling point of complete nudity to impress the punters. Comedy, starring Robert Carlyle, Mark Addy, Tom Wilkinson, Hugo Speer and Paul Barber.
- Phone Booth – E4, 22:45
(2002, Detective/Thriller) An arrogant PR executive answers a public phone and the caller on the other end warns him that if he hangs up he will be shot. The mysterious gunman then puts his target through a series of mind games, as well as incriminating him in the death of a bystander. Thriller, starring Colin Farrell, Katie Holmes and Forest Whitaker, with Kiefer Sutherland providing the voice at the end of the line.
I loved Zathura! Jumanji in space, what's not awesome about that, eh? :D
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