IIt’s Black Sabbath and badassery all the way down.
“Iron Man” is an adaptation of the classic comic book series. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), a billionaire industrialist, dons a suit of iron to protect the people he puts in harm’s way. Stark gets captured in Afghanistan during a weapons demo and is forced to build a missile for his captors.
Instead, Stark builds a prototype of the Iron Man suit and fights his way out. Back in the States, he faces other enemies. Jeff Bridges plays Obadiah Stane, an advisor who takes over Stark’s company in his absence and has his own sinister plans for Stark’s prototype.
Downey Jr. was born to play Stark. His sharp ad-libbing brings out the “likable asshole” quality in Stark that made director Jon Favreau choose Downey for the role.
“Iron Man” looks to satisfy fans of the comics and deliver unmatched action on all fronts.
“Speed Racer”
In Theaters May 9
Don’t bother taking acid before you see it; “Speed Racer” has the trippy visuals covered.
Based on a Westernized anime from the ‘60s, “Speed Racer” is the story of Speed, a prodigious racer who’s determined to win a grueling cross-country race called The Crucible.
Speed competes against under-handed corporate types and other ambitious racers at break-neck speeds. His car, the Mach 5, has Bond-like gadgets to help him stay on top. “Speed Racer” was filmed entirely against greenscreen, and it shows. The racing scenes are a kaleidoscope of color. If you still aren’t sold, John Goodman plays Speed’s dad, Pops.
This movie isn’t cinéma-vérité, and it isn’t trying to be. It’s worth seeing for the amazing eye candy and light-hearted tone, especially if you’re a fan of the original cartoon.
“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”
In Theaters May 22
He might be a little older, but he still hates snakes.
Everyone’s favorite Nazi-busting archaeologist is back for one last adventure. “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” follows the titular character (Harrison Ford) as he fights Soviets for the crystal skull, a powerful relic with mysterious origins.
The film is set in 1957, 19 years after the events of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” Jones isn’t as sharp with the whip as he used to be, but that doesn’t stop him from being the same great adventurer we fell in love with long ago.
Joining Jones is a young greaser named Mutt (Shia LeBeouf), fellow archaeologist Mac (Ray Winstone) and Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), who you might remember from “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”
With Steven Spielberg back as director, it’s easy to get excited about Indy’s return to the big screen.
