The Invincible Iron Man (Animated/Marvel
Comics/Lionsgate)
Picture:
B- Sound: B Extras: A Film: B
Lionsgate
and Marvel Studios strike again, bringing one of comic books' most storied
heroes to life in an animated action thriller. Like the two previous Ultimates offerings from
Lionsgate, The Invincible Iron Man
(TIIM) brings a more adult take to the character, separating it from many of
the animated cartoon shows of Marvel's Saturday morning past. This feature also offers a new take on Iron Man's
origin, modernizing it while still preserving some of the original flavor. Unlike the original Iron Man who was born in
the cauldron of the Viet Nam war, this modern version debuts in China, where an
archeological dog goes horribly wrong and unleashed four destructive Chinese
spirits.
These
spirits begin to collect the artifacts necessary to resurrect classic Iron Man
villain the Mandarin. The story
disappoints in the areas of Iron Man's opposition, failing to deliver any of
his classic super-foes. The depictions
of the various versions of Tony Stark's Iron Man armor are splendidly rendered
and provide a nice homage to the character's rich history. The very first version we see in action is
quite reminiscent of Iron Man nemesis Obadiah Stane's "Iron Monger"
suit from the now classic Iron Man #200.
The
picture and sound on this disc feel stronger than the first two Ultimates
features. The 1.78:1 ratio widescreen
conveys the full action and destruction of superhero action in broad, bold
strokes, helping to support the solid mix of traditional and computer
animation. It is rendered in somewhat
muted colors and mixes hand drawn and computer animation, but in a way that
makes sense. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix
is surprisingly rich, punchy and has consistent surrounds.
Clear
menus and rich content make the extras on this disc top notch. A documentary on
the history of Iron Man, an alternate opening sequence, concept art, and a
feature showing nearly all of the various Iron Man armor suits to appear in the
comics over the years deliver plenty of extra value. The Hall of Iron Man Armor alone is worth the
price of admission. This version of Iron
Man provides fans a nice compromise between the classic character of the past
and a newer version firmly rooted in the new millennium.
- Scott Pyle
