Robert Downey, Jr. : This Fan's Favs

What a blast! This film does what few action movies can - balance SFX with humanity. Downey Jr. does an excellent job in the transformation of Stark from a self-serving billionaire to a defender of the defenseless. His comedic timing is impeccable and the script is relatively snappy. There's plenty of popcorn fun here mixed with modern-day issues and political flavours, giving the audience a memorable thrill-ride. A must-see!

"Then must you speak / Of one that lov'd not wisely but too well..."
A passionate life and charismatic figure remembered as both cinematic genius and conflicted soul. Never before have I seen a movie featuring a hero as charming and unlikable who has triumphed and failed in so many arenas. But it's the grace with which he's portrayed that brought me (literally) to tears. Downey Jr. is absolutely riveting, highlighting some of his dance experience and that wonderful ability to make people laugh. The rest of the cast is perfect, of course, and Attenborough really hits the sweet spot, taking unusual shots and making them unforgettable. While the plot is often slow, it's never boring and the philosophical conversations both said and unsaid are poignant and thoughtful. This is a wonderful tribute to a great film legend and MUST be seen by any and all film buffs!

A fantastically depressing film highlighting the excess of the 80's. I can see why this was Downey Jr.'s big break - he steals every scene he's in, taking more risks and going deeper than any one else. The character's arc was played so flawlessly, I cried, laughed, and felt breathtaking despair just when I was supposed to. That being said, the other performances are just "good" and the script lags at certain points, covering the same material needlessly. However, this is a great heartstring-puller (if only due to one character) and highly recommended.

A wonderfully sadistic, pessimistic view of the media and violence. While brutal, the violence never seems too gory - just realistic. Major kudos here to Harrelson, Lewis, and Downey Jr. (of course <3) for pulling off some bad-ass characters with depth and grit. Brilliant stuff. In terms of direction, this is a masterpiece, in my humble opinion. The melodramatic lighting, the ridiculously weird backdrops... pitch perfect. It leaves you with a permanent "WTF?!" written on your face. I could have done with a little less raciness and a little more political edge, but that's a personal preference. This belongs in your DVD library 5 minutes ago.

WOW! What a snappy, fun flick. Every cast member nails their role, special kudos to Downey Jr. for his impeccable comedic timing. The directing style is simultaneously fresh and nostalgic, with lots of nods to the familiar cliches of the old-school detective genre. The plot moved a bit too fast for me to absorb everything, but the hectic pace only added to the ride. With lots of twists and an entertaining narrator (wink), this is a must-see!

Wow, a great hard-hitter on every front. The cast definitely drives the movie here, and they're all fantastic top-to-bottom. From Downey Jr.'s surpressed rage to LaBeouf's vulnerability, every cast member brings everything to the table, making each character memorable and multidimensional. Kudos to the writers who really bring street grit and an edgy poetic feel to the film. The direction is often risky and fresh and usually works well, making the atmosphere both familiar and vaguely threatening. The family's struggle to find a way to reconcile differences is what really got me - it's so naturally handled, giving it a raw feeling that encompasses every part of the film. This is one of the few really true-to-life films out there about growing up, running away, and coming home. Highly recommended.

Totally inappropirate. Over-the-top gore. Offensive language. And it's damn funny. The actors relish in such a self-deprecating, abusive script, Downey Jr. in particular having lots of fun. The cameos are priceless with Cruise stealing every scene he's in ("... apple bottom jeans JEANS, boots with the fur WITH THE FUR..."). The action sequences are quite cool and usually tie together nicely with some snappy editing. Stiller's direction is commendable if somewhat predictable, but if I was acting, editing, and directing, I'd probably stick with the familiar. Only thing is, I couldn't understand what they were saying half the time. All deliveries were wickedly fast, often with ridiculous accents or music playing in the background. Maybe it was the theatre, I don't know. Also of mention, I wasn't left with a strong impression of the mood or message. Even now I'm not sure if too much or too little was presented, but in either case, it left the film feeling a little hollow. Still, some great raucous comedy here, definitely worth a watch. Did I mention RDJ makes an excellent blond? <3

A very interesting dip into the tortured, sick mind of a mystery author. Downey Jr. was brilliant, as usual, giving Dark more bite than a bottle of Tabasco and more suppressed rage than a caged tiger. And that he is, caged in his own body - which is a nice contrast to the mesmorizingly charming, self-controlled detective-Dark. That being said, the direction is wonderfully weird and the songs completely inappropriate, adding to the mayhem. The flashbacks and digressions into the novel are treated in the same fasion, leading to the blurring of lines between pulp fiction and reality. The pacing is a bit off and I feel that some of the "detective" scenes aren't as revealing as they could be, but you can't help but forgive that for the stunning cast work, both individually and as an ensemble. Great work here!