Comments on: Iron Man review

By: Garbo

Garbo — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:09:59 +0000

Yeah, but that bit where he blows up da tank is sweet.

Lol.

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 01 May 2008 21:17:19 +0000

I knew it! ‘It’s just a summer film…’

It’s a racist, ignorant summer film that - yes - has moments of fun if you’re prepared to ignore that. But why should you ignore that? I think you have a responsibility not to ignore that.

By: Adrian D'Enrico

Adrian D'Enrico — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:29:57 +0000

“I think I’d rather be offended by a stripped down version of a real terrorist organisation than this general Arab bogeyman syndrome though.”

For me, the origin of the ‘bogeyman’ is irrelevant. In a more real-world-based film, yes, but in a world where men fly in iron suits and sleep with all 12 Maxim cover girls in a year, no.

Can’t we just get back to finding a summer blockbuster fun? This is great sunday afternoon fodder. If I wanted to challenge myself I’d go and see some worthy festival-award-laden bullshit…

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:49:25 +0000

Perhaps. I think I’d rather be offended by a stripped down version of a real terrorist organisation than this general Arab bogeyman syndrome though.

Drawing bad parallels with real life groups might well show up your ignorance as a filmmaker, but better your ignorance than your racism.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:40:47 +0000

“It’s also wilfully naïve, perhaps just plain offensive, in its presentation of a ‘terrorist’ threat stripped of any historical, religious or political context.”

True, but you could also say that any effort to further identify the terrorist threat - location, cause, or other contextualising identifier - could be offensive as well.

Intentional or not unless kept at a ridiculously vague level, it’s possible to draw parallels with real life groups and/or incidents, which would (rightly) offend people involved in those issues. Give too much detail and people start seeing, Al Qaeda, Hamas, IRA, Eta, etc, which would be inappropriate in this type of film. Bit of a no-win situation.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:11:40 +0000

Oh, also, this is a reputation wrecker for Terrence Howard, who should be genuinely ashamed at taking the money for a role that has all the depth of a minstrel performance.