Iron Man

Name: Iron Man
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: May 2, 2008
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard

2008

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 38 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 2350 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 2350 Ratings

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Iron Man

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: May 2, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Gwyneth Paltrow, Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard

Summary: Tony Stark is a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect theTony Stark is a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor who is kidnapped and forced to build a devastating weapon. Instead, using his intelligence and ingenuity, Tony builds a high-tech suit of armor and escapes captivity. When he uncovers a nefarious plot with global implications, he dons his powerful armor and vows to protect the world as Iron Man. [Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios]… Expand

Director: Jon Favreau

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 126 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Todd McCarthy

Ever-eclectic director Jon Favreau, who briefly pops up onscreen as a Stark minion, maintains a brisk but not frantic pace, and, in concert with lenser Matthew Libatique, production designer J. Michael Riva and the first-rate visual effects team, has made an unusually elegant looking film for the genre. Read full review

William Arnold

Is it possible to have yet another expensive excursion into this genre that seems in any way fresh, original and alive? The answer, surprisingly, is yes. Read full review

Richard Corliss

Some of us knows that there's an American style -- best displayed in the big, smart, kid-friendly epic -- that few other cinemas even aspire to, and none can touch. When it works, as it does here, it rekindles even a cynic's movie love. So cheers to Downey, Favreau and the Iron Man production company. They don't call it Marvel for nothing. Read full review

Dana Stevens

When it's idling in neutral, and we're watching Stark putter in his workshop or seduce unsuspecting journalists, Iron Man abounds in that rarest of superpowers: charm. Read full review

Premiere Glenn Kenny

Iron Man is the first Marvel Comics superhero movie I would willingly sit through a second time. This is the result not just of what the movie does, but what the movie doesn't do. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Maitland McDonagh

A dark delight that combines pop-culture wit and genuine emotional depth. Read full review

Ann Hornaday

It succeeds only fitfully. Toggling between Stark's impish goatee and Iron Man's full-metal body condom, and amid so many generic fireballs, kill shots and earsplitting thumps, bumps and crunches, the film finally collapses under its own weight. Read full review

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User Reviews

RyanA.

May 3, 2008

Simply one of the best superhero movies ever.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ZackaryS.

Sep 29, 2008

I dont normally go around giving 10's out unless i really mean it and i really do mean it. this is the must own DVD of the YEAR!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ThatMarvelDCGuy

Aug 19, 2012

It's an origin story minus the boredom. There's a whole lot of action, drama and humor that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Intensely exciting, you can't keep your eyes off the screen because any moment, something intriguing may unfold. Great script, great director, great actors,It's an origin story minus the boredom. There's a whole lot of action, drama and humor that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Intensely exciting, you can't keep your eyes off the screen because any moment, something intriguing may unfold. Great script, great director, great actors, what more can you ask for?… Expand

12 of 13 users found this helpful121

ChrisR.

May 10, 2008

I thoughts this was a very well done movie. the only problem I had with it was the amount of action. this movie really doesn't get going until the middle.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Cooperward4

Oct 19, 2019

The film that started it all. Iron Man was the first film in the now famous and highly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film is insanely entertaining and possibly one of the best comic book movies ever made. This film is filled with so many things that make this film so vibrant andThe film that started it all. Iron Man was the first film in the now famous and highly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film is insanely entertaining and possibly one of the best comic book movies ever made. This film is filled with so many things that make this film so vibrant and entertaining throughout. Lets start with the characters. Tony Stark, famously played by Robert Downey Jr is simply amazing. He is such a charismatic and fun character to watch that you simply wonder how RDJ does it. Robert Downey Jr is incredibly charming in this film and the character's blend of sarcasm, self-loathing and regret throughout simply makes this performance flawless. The supporting cast also do very well within the film. Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane may not have the most character depth and motivation but Jeff Bridges plays the character with such precision that you can't help but be entertained. Also Terrance Howard as James Rhodes is extremely underrated and personally I believe he is as good if not better then Don Cheadle as James Rhodes. Also Gwyneth Paltrow, who i'm not exactly the biggest fan of was very good in this film. Another great aspect of this film is that it is a very compelling and original origin story. Tony's story ark of going from a sarcastic, arrogant and narcissistic individual to learning the fault of his ways and realising that his actions and motivations hurt people is very compelling. Also the visuals are stunning. You can barely tell this film is over 10 years old due to how well the visual effects look. Iron Man flying through the sky looks as real then as it does now 10 years later. My one criticism is that the film fails to offer a good 3rd act. This is where the film really goes down hill. The main problem with it is there is no reason to why it is really happening. The motivations of the villain are unclear to the point why you are questioning the reason the final battle is happening. Its very bothering but not to the point where the film suffers too much. But it does help that this bad 3rd act is followed by a terrific ending which I won't spoil. Overall Iron Man is a very compelling comic book film which I believe could be one of the best ever.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MattK

May 12, 2008

Robert Downey Jr. is awesome. Jeff Bridges is a great Anti-Dude ("that's a publicity stunt---we made that to shut the hippies up!"). Favreau paces the film very well with the perfect mix of humor, action, suspense, and romance. I was hopeful that this was a sign of what's to come Robert Downey Jr. is awesome. Jeff Bridges is a great Anti-Dude ("that's a publicity stunt---we made that to shut the hippies up!"). Favreau paces the film very well with the perfect mix of humor, action, suspense, and romance. I was hopeful that this was a sign of what's to come this summer (it was perfectly matched with the new Dark Knight trailer), but after Speed Racer, I'm not so optimistic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JulieF.

May 4, 2008

They did it again! They RUINED another icon! Why does Hollywood have to force their opinions on us at every film showing? I became more and more angry throughout this film. Here's the REALLY hypocritical part: Robert Downey Jr. is just fine with TORCHING a bunch of Afghani's and They did it again! They RUINED another icon! Why does Hollywood have to force their opinions on us at every film showing? I became more and more angry throughout this film. Here's the REALLY hypocritical part: Robert Downey Jr. is just fine with TORCHING a bunch of Afghani's and obliterating a bunch more when it's HIS life on the line. He has no problem wasting dozens of men to escape from a cave (which he evidently could have just FLOWN out of anyway). But when it's our SOLDIERS that are in harm's way, OH....then we can't have any weapons! It's kind of like how Hollywood drives around in Limo's but wants the rest of us to ride bikes to work so we don't make a "carbon footprint". Anyway, the last 5/6 of this film will be a big preach-fest about how the USA is a war-mongering nation who has no right to defend herself and how any weapons manufacturer should not be allowed to exact a profit (while Hollywood gets to make BILLIONS of dollars of profit on its own products) What a farce. Don't see this film if you have a brain because it'll explode. Don't see this film if you love your country because this film certainly doesn't. SHAME ON YOU, IRON MAN. Recommended: Not in a million years.… Expand

0 of 10 users found this helpful

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46	#46 Best Movie of 2008
4	#4 Most Discussed Movie of 2008
5	#5 Most Shared Movie of 2008