I don’t know if I can really pull through to be super-blogger tonight. I just had my mind blown by a summer blockbuster, which is not something that happens to me very much. But Iron Man? Dude, I am ashamed to say this, but I’m probably going to be one of those people who goes to see the action movie again within a week of seeing it the first time.
LisaKS felt divided, because the movie doesn’t have a lot of room for women to come in kicking butt, and we’ve all been spoiled by sci-fi and fantasy TV shows that have been innovative in this area. I’m leaving that alone for now, and saying that I usually find the summer blockbuster genre to be an evil beast that makes me angry, but in this particular case, I was riveted. It was formulaic, of course, but unlike 99% of other blockbusters, it was well-paced and the characterizations actually made a lot of sense. Most action sequences get on my nerves because they don’t make a lot of sense, but in this movie, the build-up to the first big sequence is actually really interesting. Movie heroes are usually clever and sharp in a contrived way, but being bright and innovative is Tony Stark’s actual “super” power, and so the clever way he handles himself under pressure flows from the character and isn’t just a convenient plot device.
And it was highly and unapologetically critical of the military-industrial complex! But without being pedantic, really. Stark’s naive belief that his career in weapons manufacturing, even with its admitted brutality, is essentially good at heart—and his exposure to a reality that strips him of that belief—reads as an interesting take on what’s going on in the heads of the elite who keeps getting us into wars. It’s easy for Stark to be a bombastic asshole hawk, because he never sees the effects of his weapons up close, and it’s all in his sanitized imagination, as it probably is for everyone in the Bush administration. The anti-war stuff doesn’t come off as preachy, I thought, because it was in service of the character, and in Downey’s hands, he’s actually an intriguing person you want to spend time with, a testament to Downey’s acting ability, since the character is basically a ripe bastard.
Anyway, it was kind of an exhausting movie, so enjoy this short review and I’ll be back in the saddle tomorrow.
62 Responses to “Cheaping out with an easy movie review”
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Yep, half of me was madly in love with it by 20 minutes into the movie. I admit.
Iron Man was my favorite hero as a kid, but re-reading the series as an adult, I found his whole alcoholism thing one of the most unintentionally funny attempts during the mid-80s to make comics “serious.” ( first place) Luckily comic book movies do away with most cannon and just present the hero in their most pure form; in this case, a dickhead millionaire who fights crime because he needs SOMEONE to test out his toys on.
I think the best part about him is that he technically doesn’t have a secret identity (everyone assumes that Iron Man is a robot) so we are spared those AWWWWWWFUUULLLLL plot lines in 99% of other comics where the hero goes through an awkward dance to keep his identity secret. (Superman/Clark Kent/Lois Lane switcheroos)
What got me was that not only was his transformation from sleazy business man to warrior for justice, plausible, Downey made it poignant.
And who can’t love a name like Pepper Potts?
Oh and Ironman was one of my fave comic books as a kid. I think it was because there was no way i could grow up to be Spiderman, but anyone could put on the suit and be Ironman.
Not really looking forward to a possible Avengers movie, as most of them were kind of badly conceived(what was the deal with Vision?), and would require multiple origin stories.
Never cared much for the Hulk. He just gets angry and breaks things. Hell, i do that! Just on a much smaller scale.
I think a Luke Cage Power Man movie has possibilities. They should have reserved Sam Jackson for that.
Never cared much for the Hulk. He just gets angry and breaks things. Hell, i do that! Just on a much smaller scale.
He’s a lightening bolt for great writers, though. And brings out the best of them; Peter David’s, Paul Jenkins, and Bruce Jones’s runs on the Hulk are some of the best comic writing there is.
I’m still holding out hopes for a Blue Beetle movie; in my dreams, it would feature him and Booster Gold sponsored by a candy company to go a large anti-abortion rally to promote a new brand would lollypop. There, they discover a murder mystery. It would be AWESOME. Tell me that wouldn’t be the awesomist movie ever. And Guy Gardner would be there, hitting on 16 year olds.
Blue Beetle would be standing over the corpse, and then point at a Planned Parenthood office and say.
“It doesn’t take a detective to know who the TRUE murderers are”
I just got back from seeing Iron Man, too. I was a huge comic book fan growing up and have been more or less underwhelmed with basically every super hero movie that’s come out. Plus, I never cared for the character growing up. And I don’t like theatres.
That movie fucking rocked. I dunno if I’ll go see it again (depends on who asks, I suppose), but that was some mighty fine summer blow-shit-up entertainment.
I have to admit…I’m kind of psyched to see a modern Captain America movie…
I’m really interested in the character again after the recent story lines in Marvel Comics (yes I’m a huge geek and the recent spate of comic movies caused me to look up what I missed since I stopped reading comics at 13).
Apparently in the comics Captain America opposes a gov’t registration of all superhero types in the marvel universe ( thinking it’s a violation of civil liberties), leads an underground resistance against “pro-registration” forces and is eventually captured and assassinated before being tried.
I’m with LisaKS. If I could totally divorce who I am from the watching experience, it was awesome. I like robots that fight and blow things up as much as the next gal.
But….. come on! It wasn’t just that it didn’t have good opportunities for women characters. It really was downright misogynistic. Just once, I’d like to see a girl with His Guy Friday. My other suggestion is for the capable mistress/assistant to, instead of falling in love, get sick of her situation, kill Stark, and become IronMan. I’d watch that.
Just once, I’d like to see a girl with His Guy Friday.
“Girl Genius”, anyone?
I dunno, I thought even Pepper Potts was better than average (which admittedly isn’t saying much).
*sort of spoiler* Yeah she falls in love, but she doesn’t totally melt and forgive all at the end. And while she doesn’t exactly have a strong role, she does take action on her own and play a role in the storyline. It’s also quite clear that Stark depends on her, so she’s more than just the arm-candy you get in most superhero movies. So… yeah, less than ideal, but better than most.
I saw it the first night it was out. And I would definitely go see it again. Hell, I almost did on Monday (but my grown up responsible self prevailed - some days, I’m really not fond of my grown up responsible self).
Anyway, being a big fan of comic book movies and a big fan of Robert Downey, Jr. , I was totally hooked and very satisfied. My boyfriend also loved it, so it wasn’t just the Robert Downey, Jr. factor. Although, he did look damn good!
Gwyneth Paltry was also lovely. I never found her particularly attractive before, but she looked beautiful in this.
And Jeff Bridges, he made a great Obadiah, but damn, I wouldn’t have even recognized him except for his voice. He used to be so cute. It’s disconcerting that all my teenage crushes now look like old men.
JUST got back from seeing it (and drinking a half-pint of gin while doing so).
***SPOILERS***
This movie would be nothing without Downey. Loved Yensin, but his death did NOT ring true. Neither did a deferential redheaded Gwyneth, nor Jeff Bridges’ clumsy villain dialogue (”How ironic…” Ferrealz?). But then Robert would bust out the charm and the vulnerable puppy dog eyes and the rugged hotness and why YES, I love middling cinematic adaptations of comic book superhero stories, why do you ask?
Johnathan, I have a question for you, I really do: How does it feel to have pissed on Ted Kord’s grave? really? does it feel good? Bastard.
Also, I’m guessing from the discussion here of the movie’s good points, no one remembered to sit through the credits.
Long story short: The Marvel Superhero movies? they’re officially becoming a single universe. Look forward to Robert Downey Jr. in the upcoming Hulk movie, the coming Captain America and Thor movies, Iron Man 2, the Spiderman Movies post-Tobey (who has announced he wants to quit). All one universe. Still hoping they cast Sean Bean as Thor.
Seriously, if you’re going again, or for a first time, whatever, SIT THROUGH THE CREDITS. They’re long, and only like 30 seconds of awesome after them, but worth it.
Now to brass tacks SPOILER stuff:
They’ve done something us internet comic stuff have said they need to do with Tony for a while: give him a theme. Batman fights psychotic agents of the night, Superman fight powerhouses, The X-men mutants, Spiderman fights mercenary thug criminals with animal theme costumes. Captain America fights fascists (an idea which has aged much better than you’d think). Tony Stark? once upon a time, his theme was “fights commies.” Which hasn’t aged well at all. The recommendation was to have him start fighting war profiteers and others that thrive on human suffering. It fits, makes him a counterbalance to some broad social injustice, and a real motivation. The Mandarin is gonna make a hell of an evil empire big-bad (which incidentally is what the “Ten Rings” army was about)
was psyched for it, now psyched for more.
Johnathan, I have a question for you, I really do: How does it feel to have pissed on Ted Kord’s grave? really? does it feel good? Bastard.
Ted’s back! If he wasn’t, then my post would had included a 40-paragraph whine fest about how DC thinks they could just casually throw away secondary characters for a cheap dramatic beat, no matter how well developed, non-pretentious, and historically relevant they are. (still bitter)
Oh sweet zombie Prexus, M. Hohensee, get over it. Ted Kord (the Blue Beetle he’s referencing, for those of you playing along at home) is dead. Deal with it. Yes, he’s back in the current Booster Gold series, but he’s likely gonna stay dead in the long run. And his death WAS worth it. But, it’s ok. His legacy lives on.
By not reading the first 25 issues of the new Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes FTW) series, you’re really just hurting yourself.
As to, y’know, the topic, well hell yes. Much much man love for Iron Man. The comic geekboy inside me loved the characterization (though there ARE issues with Pepper, I will admit), and yeah, it’s a summer Blow Shit Up movie. It had boxes of win in that regards. I for one am geeked beyond belief that there’s already a sequel coming, plus Thor (too early to tell, the revamp would be an amazing place to start, but it might be too hard to do), plus a Captain America movie (90 minutes of punching Nazis, please, thanks). Now if only 2010 would come sooner.
D
I’m aware. Booster brought him back. Doesn’t make what you did any better.
PiatoR sez:
Yay! I loves me some Phil Fogilo.
As far as wanting to see a modern Captain America goes, you should try reading Marvel’s Ultimates book, where they are apparently trying to see how unlikable and unheroic they can make The Avengers. Cap is a jingoistic, sexist thug, Hank Pym is a wife-beater, the Hulk freakin’ eats people — the list goes on.
Ted ain’t likely to last for long. I give him another two issues before he gets returned to his previous status quo.
And Ted’s a scientist — I don’t see him kneejerking to the right-wing’s bullshit.
I found the Terrorism angle problematic. I mean; YES, admittedlty, the movie acknowledges that Afghanistan is a huge mess, that greedy American capitalists are selling weapons to all sides of a conflict, and the big bad guy in the movie turns out NOT to be the terrorist with the accent but the guy who thinks it’s America’s job to protect it’s own interests by fucking up other countries. and all of that is awesome, and an impressive thing for a big budget Hollywood movie to do.
BUT the movie still treats all the guys with accents as generic, one-dimensional, foolish evildoers. It tries to be realistic and avoid blind jingoism by having the terrorists be a mixed group of people from a dozen different countries, but that backfires a little bit because it ends up implying that ALL the folks who aren’t Americans are just generically angry towelheads or whatever. EXCEPT for Yinson, who’s played as very sympathetic (the actor is awesome), but still ends up being a sidekick who’s own interests are subservient to the hero’s — he’s basically the classic “magical negro” character, except that he’s supposed to be Swiss or whatever.
ALSO I thought the movie suffered from “Batman Returns” syndrome, in which all of the dialogue during the plot scenes is impeccably witty and good, but all of the dialogue during the big fights is forehead- slappingly idiotic and silly. It’s like they had two completely different writers with widely varying levels of talent and intent. But it wasn’t such a big problem because there were so few fight scenes and the movie basically kept momentum on the basis of the characters and the plot, which was surprising and excellent.
SO, yeah; apart from my two complaints above, I thought the film was thrillingly excellent, and I already saw it twice this week.
Comic book writers, what does Gail Simone write at the moment? Just Wonder Woman? I was in heaven there for a while when she was writing Atom, Blue Beetle and more!
Also I thought it was nice to see Gwyneth Paltrow act well and play an interesting character for the first time in about 10 years. She did exactly what she should have been doing in that silly “Sky Captain” mess.
From what I hear, The Avengers film will be stripped down to just a few of the heavies. We’ve already met Iron Man and Hulk and next up is a Thor film (directed by Matthew Vaughn, who did Stardust) and Captain America. They’ll be led by soecial Guest star from iron man’s end credits. Could be good, butit all depends on how they do the films for the rest of the characters.
Rumor has it, Iron Man 2 will have Fin Fang Foom. That could be awesome or lame, depending on how it;s done.
Rumor has it, Iron Man 2 will have Fin Fang Foom.
Unacceptable.
Bring me M.O.D.O.K. We have CGI, we have Muppets. Fucking DO IT.
AndersH: Simone never wrote Blue Beetle (the book, that is, she did write the character in places). The current book was being written John Rogers, who’s unfortunately leaving it.
Simone had previously been writing Birds of Prey, the All-New Atom, Welcome to Tranquility, Gen 13, and the Secret Six miniseries, all around the same time. Right now, she’s only writing Wonder Woman, as she seems to be putting her all into it (and it shows) but she’s going to be writing a Secret Six ongoing (with Nicola Scott on pencils!) and some more Tranquility stuff.
I dunno, james. They went to great lengths to make the terrorist organization seem like an extra-national organization that terrorized ordinary people of all nationalities, but particularly in Asia and the Middle East. That’s why Yinsen makes a point of saying that the group they’re in the middle of speak everything from Arabic to Russian. I’m not saying it was subtle or finely wrought, but dragging down the movie by turning it into Black Hawk Down would have ruined it. They kept it smart without letting it weigh down the film.
MODOK ftw!
BUT the movie still treats all the guys with accents as generic, one-dimensional, foolish evildoers.
You already point out the exception of Yinson, But remember that Iron Man’s first act as a superhero is to prevent an innocent Afghanistan village from the warlord group, and that the Big Bad isn’t the warlord, but American Obadiah Stern.
I just don’t think the “America Good, Foreigners Bad” is quite as clear as you make out.
BTW: Anyone else get an ironic Giggle out of Jim Cramer doing his “Mad Money” bit? I couldn’t help but think “Wow, even in a fantasy film, he’s still a dunce.”
Gwyneth Paltry was also lovely. I never found her particularly attractive before, but she looked beautiful in this.
I thought so, too, and then I realized why: she was wearing very little makeup. You could actually see all her freckles.
I thought the women were handled better than most “action movie” heroines.
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Theme and character spoilers (no plot details)
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I also liked that Pepper had a life outside of Tony’s world, and that’s where her sexuality was focused. She was devoted to Tony as his employee, and that was it: she wasn’t fawning after him, and she didn’t show any jealously in his constant womanizing. (The reporter started the snarking: Pepper just ended it, I think.)
One thing that struck me was how much the “blonde bimbo” reporter changed after Tony’s epiphany; she turns out to be a damned good, caring journalist with more balls than all of ABC News combined.
At first I thought that was a sudden switch, but then I noticed that the same thing happened with Pepper: she “transformed” from another robot assistant into a person with feelings and needs and desireable qualities. It was very clear with Pepper that she was still the same, and the “change” was only Tony’s perception of her. I think the writer’s intended to apply that same perception shift to the reporter, too: she’s the same person, but now Tony is capable of seeing her as more than just fuckable.
Another nice thing about this interpretation is that the reporter fucks Tony because she wants to, not because she’s too stupid to see what an asshole he is. (She might have been manipulating him, too, to get inside the house and snoop around: that’s implied a little bit.)
I’m not accepting a MODOK movie until they do it like they did in the “Marvel Adventures” story where everyone gets turned into MODOK.
Non-comics geeks, please see here for more on MODOK
I want a movie version of Birds of Prey (when Simone was writing it). Darn it I want more GOOD female lead super heroes. Stupid Catwoman movie .
I have to admit…I’m kind of psyched to see a modern Captain America movie…
Cap is the only one that really scares me. Nobody has ever really done him right on the screen except, maybe, the X-men: Evolution episode “Operation Rebirth” and in that one he doesn’t have a single bit of dialog and is a tragic figure doomed by his own greatness.
I’m just hoping the Thor movie has a damn fine costume designer who can match the classic Kirby Asgard look.
It’s certainly a relief to hear this movie getting a thumbs-up from progressives. When I first heard it was coming out and heard about the beginning involving Stark being kidnapped by Afghan terrorists, I was braced for this to be a racist, imperialistic piece of garbage. (Also, knowing the comic book character somewhat, this struck me as perhaps the natural path for the film to take.)
I haven’t seen it yet, but probably will tomorrow. Now I don’t have to be nervous walking into the theater.
Yes! As soon as he came on screen, my boyfriend and I were the only ones in a theater full of people to laugh out loud.
AndersH: Simone never wrote Blue Beetle (the book, that is, she did write the character in places). The current book was being written John Rogers, who’s unfortunately leaving it.
Simone had previously been writing Birds of Prey, the All-New Atom, Welcome to Tranquility, Gen 13, and the Secret Six miniseries, all around the same time. Right now, she’s only writing Wonder Woman, as she seems to be putting her all into it (and it shows) but she’s going to be writing a Secret Six ongoing (with Nicola Scott on pencils!) and some more Tranquility stuff.
Darn it I want more GOOD female lead super heroes. Stupid Catwoman movie .
Kind of a shame Whedon isn’t on the Wonder Woman project any more. He’s had plenty of practice writing X-Men comics though, perhaps someone will let him script a film version of Kitty Pryde & Wolverine? Between his and Frank Miller’s (who co-wrote the original KP&W story) current hottness that one should be a no-brainer.
Or, perish the thought, let him make an Emma Frost movie.
This movie is a HUGE upper for Tony Stark’s rep. The character has been such a complete and utter authoritarian colostomybag for the last 2 years.
I loved the scene where Potts walks in on Stark being helped out of the suit and even the robots looked sheepish. His line just made it perfect.
While I did enjoy the movie overall, one thing did bug me. The scenes where Stark builds his first Iron Man suit rely heavily on the blind stupidity of his captors, which seemed a bit out of place considering how his “superpower” is supposed to be sheer ingenuity. They could have taken thirty extra seconds to throw in a plausible deception for Tony to use on his captors, but it seemed like the writers just expected you to assume that the Afghan terrorists are all completely brain dead, which did not sit well with me.
Granted, after Stark changes his tune, the movie is more or less made of win.
*SPOILER, maybe*
Haven’t the revisionist dipwads revealed that he’s a Skrull yet?
Did I just use ‘revisionist’ as some sort of identifier about comic book plotting? Ignore me.
actually Auguste, it’s looking to shape up that he’s one of the few confirmed to NOT be a skrull.
Really, I still try to give Tony the benefit of the doubt. In the actual Iron Man book, he’s been handled with nuance and intelligence: He believes Registration needs to happen to prevent something much worse, and even that he’s trying to make as painless as possible.
It’s just Editorial can’t handle nuance, and he keeps making guest appearances as an antagonist in the “FAITAN TEH EBIL GUBMINT” hero books, where the writers have NO ability for nuance at all.
No Fing Fang Foom next movie. Or MODOK.
Next is Mandarin. Ten Rings, yo.
I’m going to be a killjoy here.
I’m an engineer, and this movie PISSED ME OFF. ENGINEERING DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!
For example, it would be effectively impossible for Tony Stark to succeed in building a Jericho missile in that cave. You’d need the original manufacturing plant to do something like that. You can’t even put a cell phone together from parts by hand, because the integrated circuits need to be attached to the circuit boards with microscopic precision. Exactly what does the bad guy want with one Jericho missile, anyway? You can’t conquer Afghanistan with one missile! (Yeah, yeah, it’s revealed that they had other reasons for capturing Tony Stark and keeping him alive, but seriously.)
The movie also suffers from “comic book physics” - there’s no source of mass for the rocket thrust, so the Iron Man suit violates conservation of momentum. The accelerations Tony Stark experiences inside the suit should produce enough G-forces to turn him into a gooey mess; he shrugs off a ridiculous amount of physical punishment in the film.
Also, how, exactly, does the bad guy expect to go on a super-suit powered rampage through the middle of a city, kill Tony Stark, and then go on with his life as though nothing happened? A lot of people know exactly who is wearing that suit, so wouldn’t he just end up in jail for murder once he takes it off? The whole thing just has “idiot plot” written all over it.
Killkoy.
;)
As Iron Man reviews go, may I recommend this one from Mama MPJ at A Room of Mama’s Own?
http://mamampj.blogspot.com/2008/05/recovery-nerds-on-iron-man.html
I found her analysis fascinating, as she took a look at the portrayal of Stark’s addictions and his relationship with Pepper Potts.
Also, how, exactly, does the bad guy expect to go on a super-suit powered rampage through the middle of a city, kill Tony Stark, and then go on with his life as though nothing happened? A lot of people know exactly who is wearing that suit, so wouldn’t he just end up in jail for murder once he takes it off? The whole thing just has “idiot plot” written all over it.
He’s probably a big time republican money maker. IOKIYAR
Now, see, that’s the part of the movie that was so GREAT–they didn’t even remotely *try* to explain the massive violations of the laws of conservation (and energy) that were going on with the suit, which as there is no remotely reasonable explanation given our current level of technology would have forced us to sneer at the whole thing and totally lose our suspension of disbelief. They also covered the issue of how he could build *anything* by airily stating that he would be “given everything he needed.” I thought that was PERFECT, cause then you can imagine your own, say, *momentum storage device.* Without having to get into the fine details of absurdity.
I live for the updates. And was bitterly disappointed in the last two. I need more story, dammit!
No, it benefits from them. Because it’s a comic book movie. Doy.there’s no source of mass for the rocket thrust, so the Iron Man suit violates conservation of momentum. The accelerations Tony Stark experiences inside the suit should produce enough G-forces to turn him into a gooey mess; he shrugs off a ridiculous amount of physical punishment in the film.
that’s the repulsor tech in question they mention passingly early in the movie: unidirectional force.
It doesn’t violate the laws of physics. it violates OUR laws of physics. their universe has substantally different physical laws. Ours resemble them on the surface, but there are serveral technologies that produce effects contrary to our own.
from that, inertial dampeners are relatively easy to develop, he doesn’t need to worry too much about Gs.
The rules are different, and you’re told explicitly so.
and as for Obediah’s spree, well, yeah, big donor. There’s actually only a handful of people who know he’s responsible and he clearly planned on killing most of them. Also, if he’s anything like his comic counterpart, his mental health was in radical decay. In the comics, he realized this and actually committed suicide using repulsors, hoping Tony would get the blame.
I’m an engineer, and this movie PISSED ME OFF. ENGINEERING DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY!
Next up on Pandagon, biologists will be wailing about the X-Men origins, urban architects will be wailing about Spiderman’s webslinging, and Mold will be claiming Batman is too wimpy to be taken seriously.
I’m going to agree with tps12, it’s a COMIC BOOK MOVIE. I suppose you’d be pissed that the Hulk is growing ten times his size and yet he maintains the main parts of his pants, when in reality 1) it could never happen and 2) if it coudl the Hulk would be running around with his genitals flopping around. Can’t imagine the terror that would cause.
Enjoyed Iron Man immensely, went to a midnight showing with a group of my friends and paid dearly for it the next day at work but it was worth it and I’ll be seeing it again. Cool thing is, here in L.A. you can view the Iron Man suit a the Arclight theater in Hollywood. And I’m actually surprised to see the film reviewd here, didn’t think geek material would be your cup of tea Amanda.
All I could think of after evil Obidiah Iron Man arrived was how fast Gwyneth could run in those heels! I mean, damn! I would have just taken them off and run!
Yes, Pepper was, if not quite a doormat, was certainly given limited options. But damn, Gwyneth has a lovely nose!
Apologies for the objectivization.
I think a Luke Cage Power Man movie has possibilities. They should have reserved Sam Jackson for that.
Back when Marvel rebooted the universe for the Ultimate lines, they contacted Samuel L. Jackson to get permission to fashion the new Nick Fury in his image.
His response was that it was fine by him, as long as he got to play NF in any movies they made including that character. Marvel agreed.
SJL is too old for Luke Cage/Power Man, anyway.
I’m not sure he would ever have been right. Badass, yes. This guy, not so much. If LL Cool J doesn’t end up playing Cage, I’ll eat my hat.
The request question is, who’s Iron First?
Iron Man sucked! I was so excited to see it after hearing all these rave reviews. The story makes no sense, the science fiction is hopelessly unscientific and unbelievable (what was the point of that device in his chest? to magnetically pull out shrapnel or to “power his heart”?).
The scary, foreign, swarthy bad guys have no discernible motive for their violence other than being evil. The weapons industry gets a mild critique but the U.S. military remains blameless and unimpeachably cool. R.D. jr. is a terrible actor. The only good thing about the movie was Terrence Howard playing the exasperated nanny…that was funny.
Doug, I’m going to have to vote killjoy. Just letting the guy fly without making some sort of distracting “this is how it really works” clunker of an explanation is the way to go. I’m at a superhero movie, I’ve already suspended my disbelief, don’t toy with that, because there’s no explanation they could come up with that wouldn’t be absolutely painful.
As for the villain, Pepper comes right out and says he’s gone batshit insane.
the U.S. military remains blameless and unimpeachably cool.
Of course, they get to read the script before they let you play with their toys, you know.
Thought it was cool. The manufacturing robots were adorable.
And boy did they let them play with the toys. (I didn’t just sit through the credits, I read most of them, though that’s really the only thing that struck enough to stick - The AF really gave them support for this?!?)
Oh, three “loved it”s - me, the Civil Engr; SO, the advanced instrumentation design Mech Engr & Elec Engr, and our daughter the biologist. Unified field theory indeed.
Spoiler:
I vote for the robot setting off the extenguisher the 2nd time as the funniest bit.