Movie review – “Iron Man” (2008) **1/2

Highly praised but I found it disappointing. The first 40 minutes were terrific – Robert Downey Jnr as a more social Howard Hughes, with a private plane where the stewardess double as pole dancers, good friend to Terence Howard (likeable in a tricky part), enjoyable banter with Gwyneth Paltrow, funny lines, and exciting stuff in Afghanistan. But once he escapes the threat is removed and never really recovers. There are too many scenes of Downey Jnr making things and trying out equipment, and loud crashes and bangs. Jeff Bridges never seems much of a threat and the finale is tired.