Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #703 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-10-27
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.40:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 122 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
You know you're going to get a different kind of superhero when you cast Robert Downey Jr. in the lead role. And Iron Man is different, in welcome ways. Cleverly updated from Marvel Comics' longstanding series, Iron Man puts billionaire industrialist Tony Stark (that's Downey) in the path of some Middle Eastern terrorists; in a brilliantly paced section, Stark invents an indestructible suit that allows him to escape. If the rest of the movie never quite hits that precise rhythm again, it nevertheless offers plenty of pleasure, as the renewed Stark swears off his past as a weapons manufacturer, develops his new Iron Man suit, and puzzles both his business partner (Jeff Bridges in great form) and executive assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow). Director Jon Favreau geeks out in fun ways with the hardware, but never lets it overpower the movie, and there's always a goofy one-liner or a slapstick pratfall around to break the tension. As for Downey, he doesn't get to jitterbug around too much in his improv way, but he brings enough of his unpredictable personality to keep the thing fresh. And listen up, hardcore Marvel mavens: even if you know the Stan Lee cameo is coming, you won't be able to guess it until it's on the screen. It all builds to a splendid final scene, with a concluding line delivery by Downey that just feels absolutely right. --Robert Horton

Special Features
Deleted/Extended Scenes:

-Convoy Ambush

-Craps Table with Tony & Rhodey

-Tony & Rhodey on Stark Jet and Military Ceremony

-Rhodey and General Gabriel

-Tony Comes Home

-Tony Begins Mark II

-Dubai Party

-Pepper Discovers Tony as Iron Man

-Obadiah Addresses Scientists

-Rhodey Saves Iron Man on Freeway

-Rooftop Battle

Trailer-Iron Man Armored Adventures

Easter Egg Stan Lee

Synopsis
For both comic book fans and those who can't tell the Green Lantern from the Green Arrow, IRON MAN is the type of summer blockbuster whose appeal lasts far beyond the season. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark, a billionaire playboy and genius who puts as much effort into chasing skirts as he puts into chasing his next big idea. A trip to Afghanistan to sell weapons quickly devolves into chaos, and Stark finds himself at the mercy of a warlord who wants him to build a missile. Instead, Stark creates a powerful suit of armour, turning him into Iron Man and allowing him to escape. When he returns to America, his assistant Pepper Pots (Gwyneth Paltrow), friend Rhodey (Terrence Howard), and right-hand man Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) all marvel at the change in the man they knew.
IRON MAN is the first film to be self-financed by Marvel Studios, and they should be proud of their freshman effort. They didn't take any obvious routes with choosing the cast or crew, and it pays off. Director Jon Favreau, who also has a small role in the film, is best known for directing ELF, but his first action-driven effort is nearly flawless. Casting Downey was gutsy but inspired: this is his first big action picture as well, but the wit he displays in films such as the cult hit KISS KISS, BANG BANG works perfectly for the character of Stark. IRON MAN features nods to its beloved source material, as well as to the classic animated series of the 1960s. But even for the uninitiated, this film provides an interesting entry into the Marvel superhero's universe. Audiences who keep watching after the credits have rolled will be rewarded with a bonus scene.

Customer Reviews

A great story with the promise of even better things to come.
I grew up surrounded by stacks of Marvel Comics and the recent spate of movies based on them has been a real treat and despite Iron Man's character being re-invented several times over the years he still remains a man tortured by past deeds. Moving his origin tale to Afghanistan gives it a solid modern base but in every aspect it stays true to Stan Lee's original storyline.
Robert Downey Jr. and Jeff Bridges are excellent choices for the main protagonists. They are both great character actors and give gravitas to what could have been just another action movie, instead we have a film with real heart as one man, Tony Stark, battles against his past deeds and the other, Obadiah Stane, fights for their company to continue as a major arms dealer.
There are some excellent set-pieces including the first appearance of Iron Man, in armour based on the original comic book, Downey learning how to walk whilst wearing boots with repulsor rays before taking his initial flight, Iron Man's first battle in a village under attack by bandits and the final fight between Iron Man and Iron Monger. There's good support from 2 other Iron Man favourites Terrence Howard as James "Rhodey" Rhodes and Gwyneth Paltrow as "Pepper" Potts.
The movie itself is stunning and will be watched time and time again. The second disc moves this package up another notch, there's an impressive "making of" documentary covering almost every aspect of the movie. The special effects section features an appearance by the late, great FX master Stan Winston; it also features mention of the Crimson Dynamo, albeit in error.
There's a 40 minute history of Iron Man's comic appearances with several Marvel greats including his creator Stan Lee, who has a cameo in the movie as a Hugh Hefner style figure, it also features Gerry Conway, Gene Colan, John Romita Jr. and the wonderfully eccentric Warren Ellis amongst others.
Once again Marvelites will pick up on tributes to Iron Man's rich history, from the theme tune to the 1966 cartoon series which is played several times during the movie and the more famous "I am Iron Man" theme kicking in as the end credits roll. Stark's bodyguard/driver "Happy" Hogan appears played by director Jon Favreau himself, it features a more prominent role for the new S.H.I.E.L.D. organisation and the final scene featuring Samuel L. Jackson is a precursor for the proposed Avengers movie due in 2011. The terrorist organisation here is called the Ten Rings, a nod towards Iron Man's nemesis the Mandarin who was mooted as a main villain but, wisely, by-passed. There is also a very brief view of what appears to be a circular red, white and blue shield in Stark's workshop and Stark's computer JARVIS is a name familiar to Avengers fans.

Marvellous Creation
Having stumbled across the trailer for Iron Man some months before the movies actual release, I found myself in an interesting situation. Iron Man had never really held that much appeal for me in the comics, although his appearances in various Marvel arcade games was always a welcome one. I guess this actually demonstrates part of the problem, in that the suit outweighed the stories, for me and for a lot of people.

From the moment I saw that trailer though, I was converted, I have to say. Not only was it an INSPIRED piece of casting to have semi-tamed wild child and renowned addict Downey, jr. as Stark, it showed brilliantly how Stark, this unimpeded man finally has to grow up and accept responsibility (and without the aid of Uncle Ben and his "With great power, comes great responsibility" mantra).

This is the first movie done "in-house" by Marvel (it was their first self-financed film), so it's no wonder that everything seems so different to even the exemplary efforts that have come before. And no, I do not mean Hasselhoff's turn as Nick Fury... (speaking of which, don't forget to wait for the end of the closing credits, boys and girls)
Although the story never quite moves at the same pace as the opening reel, it is played out with such brilliance that the screen keeps your attention effortlessly. Add to that the olbigatory (yet, somehow, unexpected) cameo by Stan Lee, Downey, jr.'s dynamism and slightly unpredictable nature, Bridges in possibly his finest form since "The Big Lebowski", and the occassional nod to storylines yet to come, my favourite being Terence Howard's longing look at the silver Mark II suit "Next time, baby. Next time" (Rhodey goes on to pilot one of the suits several times, in place of the severely mashed Stark, and eventually makes a place for himself semi-independently, as War Machine), and fan-boys the world over were grinning like idiots and anticipating the next installment.

If I had to actually pick something to gripe about (and it's taken me ten minutes to find something) it'd be only two things.

1) The dust cloud from the Jericho looked a bit naff.

2) They didn't use the song (by Black Sabbath) Iron Man, as they had to such incredible effect in the trailer.

Minor things to worry about, given that the rest of the movie is so spot-on...

Now we just hafta sit still until they finish all the preludes to the Avengers movie!

Smart, sassy, action-packed superhero romp. Finally!
This is the kind of superhero movie we've been waiting for. It's a top-notch combination of excellent action scenes, wiseguy one-liners, cool (and credible) special effects all wrapped up with a half decent plot and some snappy direction. Finally!
It was some kind of genius to cast Robert Downey Jr as the 'heart of stone' weapons designer who gets kidnapped in the Middle East and discovers a conscience as well as the concept of the Iron Man suit. Downey is brilliant in the role. He's pepped up, a smart-ass multi-millionaire who gets the pick of the witty one-liners. He's really well supported by his female assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow) who also gets to deliver some finely-honed put-downs which keep him vaguely rooted in reality. Best of all -- Jeff Bridges, playing a character with considerably more edge than The Dude normally exudes.
The direction is tight and the action is delivered with pace and polish. The actual Iron Man suit itself is WAY COOL, looking something like a Mack Truck on legs. And while the idea (if you examine it in the cold light of day) might seem a little implausible, Downey has more than enough charisma to make it all seem perfectly plausible.
Best of all, although this is the first movie so we have to go through the routine 'secret origin story' (otherwise nothing would make sense), all the background is delivered with some spin and flair, so you get plenty of ooh and ahh and woah! while the storyline and characters are explained. Another plus -- there's none of the 'oh why me?' whining and grizzling which has been really popular in superhero movies of late. Iron Man is all about a good guy / bad guy facedown, involving rockets and big guns and things that go boom.
Overall, it's a corking action movie in its own right and Iron Man is a brilliant set-up for a sqeual. This film will look brilliant in Hi-Def with big sound, and a little less brilliant on a normal TV.
(Oh, and if you love Iron Man then make sure you watch The Hulk 2008, too. Especially right near the end. Nuff said).
Iron Man is that rare superhero movie: one which will give adults a great time and keep the kids happy with plenty of action and awesome visuals. It's not art, but it's huge fun.
8/10