Finally, a Great Super Hero Movie

Iron Man is a great super hero movie.
It is the first great super hero movie.

Every previous super hero movie, even the good ones, are not close to the quality of Iron Man.
I've enjoyed some; the first Christopher Reeve, the first Warner's Batman, the recent Superman & Batman.
But none of these movies captured the characters and atmosphere of the comics I remember.
I read comics in the late 50's & early to mid 60's. Both DC & Marvel. Superman was my favorite character, but I read everyone; Batman, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Thor, Spiderman, Captain America, Daredevil and others I've forgotten.
I lost track of comics in high school; I was more interested in playing guitar & daiting girls.
Because of my background I've waited for a really great Super Hero movie.
Until last night I've experience some level of disappointment with each and every super hero movie.

Iron Man didn't meet my expectations, it surpassed them.
Robert Downey, Jeff Bridges, and Gweneth Paltrow completely inhabit their characters.

The movie is the right combination of humor and drama.
It does not try to be too serious like recent Superman and Batman movies.
It has just enough action for flow, but it is not all action.
There is humanity and good storytelling.

Is there a message? Of course, several:
Money and fame are not as important as relationships.
Accomplishment without genuine purpose is shallow.
Use resources creatively and do something good.
The movie is not preachy. No one explains these messages, they are contained naturally in the dialogue and actions.

If there are weaknesses I did not notice.
I was completely absorbed in the story.
But isn't that the purpose of a movie?

If you have not seen the movie, go and stay through the credits.
If you saw it but did not sit through the credits, go see it again and stay till the end.
You'll be glad you did.

The Prince & The Archaeologist

Finally the latest Narnia and Indiana Jones movies are out.
Saw both last weekend. Liked both. Like Prince a little more than Indy 4.
Both have recieved mixed reviews from critics.
My opinion, if they were stand alone movies, not sequels, they would probably have received better reviews.
Unfortunately, Prince Caspian is not as good a movie as LWW, and Indy 4 is not as good as Raiders.
But, both are good movies. Both have weaknesses. Both are fun.
Prince Caspian is a beautiful movie.
Every scene, every setting, every shot, absolutely beautiful.
Unfortunately a lot of the emotion and soul of the book was left out of the movie. More of an action adventure story than the book. Still, it is good, I enjoyed it and I will see it again. My favorite scene, which is not in the book, is the night time raid on the castle from the air. That needs to be a Disney ride!
I look forward to Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Indy 4 is my third favorite of the Indy adventures. Raiders is a near perfect movie; Crusade (my second fav) is a great romp that added depth to the character of Indiana; Temple of Doom was a disappointment when I first saw it and still a disappointment. I don't even own it.

I'll probably write more on these movies when I'm in a more introspective mood.

This weekend I'm finally gong to see Iron Man.