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Created May 04, 2008 09:46PM PST • Edited May 04, 2008 09:46PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Perfect 5.0

   This movie was a spot on perfect translation of Iron Man to the big screen. Everything from the leading man, to the tech, to the great sense of humor throughout, this movie delivers in a big way. Something that sets marvel apart in the comic world is that its stories and characters are more grounded than those of the Distinguished Competition. Iron Man is the perfect case for that. Sure, its fantastic, but its ground in reality and its not hard to let yourself take the jump and enjoy the ride. One of the best damn comic movies ever, you will love this movie as will your girlfriend, your parents and your kids.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   I was very impressed with the acting within this movie. I say acting, but I’m not sure how much of it was acting, and how much was just these people being genuine. The friendships feel real as do the business relationships.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

   Robert Downey Jr. was incredible. As I said before, I’m not sure if it was acting as his role felt so damn real and honest. He played Stark with charm, humor and intelligence and he did so very convincingly. I’ll be honest that I thought his age was going to bug me as I always saw Stark as a younger guy, but it didn’t phase me in the least.

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

   Gywenth Paltrow did exactly as she was to do – be the quiet girl next door that you know you are going to marry, so lets hope she’s still around at that point. Her Pepper Potts was a good play with Tony, you absolutely believe she is the perfect personal aide, but when it comes to the tender moments, you see the care in what she does.

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

   Leslie Bibb – she was gorgeous and she moved the plot along. She allowed Tony to get out a few of his philosophies and gets him thinking. Not much of a role, but an important one to the script and Bibb did well with it.

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

   Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane was incredible. Not once do you think that Stark pissed on this guys rug (Big Lebowski reference, if you didn’t get that joke then see the movie….NOW). He is so un-Dude that its hard to believe its the same guy. He’s convincingly warm when he needs to be, but scary as hell otherwise. You absolutely believe this guy at every point of the movie

   Terrance Howard as Rhodey didn’t give me as much as I wanted, but its obvious that they are saving him for future movies. I wanted to see him more because him and Stark played so well off each other. You can tell the friendship is real and that they really enjoy each others company.

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    The film looked beautiful. You can tell how much love Favreau put into this flick. The design of the movie was fantastic. A very faithful translation from the book. Top notch all the way around.

11. Direction Perfect 5.0

    John Favreau is my new hero. This guy goes from doing Swingers to handling Iron Man – and he did so incredibly well. I’m actually really glad it was Favreau who did this because I think that indie directing was used very nicely for the more human moments. While Downey is to be thanked for what he contributed to the human aspect, the real applause goes to Favreau for capturing it all on film.

12. Play Perfect 5.0

    Dialogue was very natural and never felt forced. Even when it can get preachy (Stark talking about weapons and progress in warfare), it is delivered in such a way that you don’t even notice. It was funny and easy to follow throughout.

13. Music Really Great 4.5

    Whenever I review music, I always start by saying I’m not a big music guy. I don’t know much about movie music, I just know when its bad.

    The music was good and it fit very nicely. It was heroic in the right places and enhanced the scenes. There isn’t anything too memorable (except the AC/DC), but it was solid throughout.

14. Visuals Perfect 5.0

    Booyah. That’s it. Booyah.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.1

    Pretty tame movie overall. Most violence and sex was insinuated, not shown. You knew what was happening, but didn’t really see much. The was one scene with Stark and Bibb in the beginning, but nothing bad by any means.

17. Sex Titillating 1.8

    One scene, but it was very quick and not much goes on. But enough to mention.

18. Violence Brutal 2.6

    People die, but not graphically. Mostly off screen. The most violent parts are the mechanical fights, so no blood and guts.

19. Rudeness Salty 1.8

    Very minimal language and such.

21. Reality

    Surreal 2.7

    Surprisingly natural. Great attention is paid to the details of the tech. While the technology does not exist by any means, so much attention is paid to the details that you believe it. Stark starts reciting stuff off and you have no idea what it means, but it sounds right and is delivered well. Just real enough that I better get my own Iron Man suit before I die.

22. Circumstantial Surreal 3.0

    People can’t fly in a giant metal suit. You’ll believe its possible, though.

23. Biological Supernatural 3.2

24. Physical Glib 2.0