ROTTEN TOMATOES: Iron Man is the Best-Reviewed Movie of 2008!

Iron Man is the Best-Reviewed Movie of 2008!

The Marvel adventure could be the best-reviewed superhero movie of all time.

by Jen Yamato | May 01, 2008

Exclusive clip: Tony Stark
demonstrates the Jericho missile.

Sure to be the first bona fide blockbuster of 2008, Iron Man already has its first crown to claim. The Marvel icon's inaugural foray onto the big screen is not only Certified Fresh and Rotten Tomatoes' best-reviewed film of the year so far -- it's also potentially one of the highest-rated superhero movies of all time.

Paramount's Iron Man will kickstart the summer season when it opens nationwide this Friday, and tent poles don't get much bigger or better than this; as of today, Iron Man sits at 95 percent on the Tomatometer with 107 reviews counted. This puts the Jon Favreau pic in the number one spot among wide releases of 2008, with the concert documentary U2 3D (92 percent) and the Judd Apatow-produced comedy Forgetting Sarah Marshall (85 percent) in the two and three positions.

Jon Favreau's directing history

Made (2001), 67 percent

Elf (2003), 83 percent

Zathura (2005), 76 percent

In particular, critics credit Robert Downey Jr.'s acerbic and witty turn as the conflicted weapons manufacturer Tony Stark, who uses a gift for mechanics and a newly sparked moral outrage to create the iconic Mark 2 suit -- a body of high-tech armor that allows him to fly, crash, and bang his way through throngs of bad guys. Favreau takes on his biggest directing job to date -- and acquits himself well, balancing special effects and character development with the excitement of a comics-crazed kid.

Click to watch RT's interview
with Robert Downey, Jr.

Not only does Iron Man currently sit atop the critical heap of all of the films released so far this year, it may also end up being one of the best-reviewed superhero movies ever made. Sam Raimi is the current king of the superhero flick; Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man(2002) are two of the best-reviewed comic book movies ever. And there's also Bryan Singer, whose Superman and X-Men movies have also been extremely well-received.

See how Iron Man lines up among the best superhero films of all time.

Best-Reviewed Superhero Movies
Spider-Man 2 (2004) -- 93 percent
Superman: The Movie (1978) -- 93 percent
Spider-Man (2002) -- 90 percent
X2: X-Men United (2003) -- 87 percent
Superman II (1980) -- 87 percent
Batman Begins (2005) -- 84 percent
X-Men (2000) -- 80 percent
Hellboy (2004) -- 79 percent
Superman Returns (2006) -- 77 percent

For more Iron Man reviews, photos, trailers and clips, click here. Iron Man opens nationwide this Friday.

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(1-20 of 81 posts) | Reply

Superzone writes:
on May 01 2008 07:51 PM

I really am surprised how well this film is doing critically. I simply can't wait to see it tomorrow.

(Reply to this)

TheGreatOne13 writes:
on May 01 2008 07:53 PM

Ill be honest I enjoyed it and give it a 7 out og 10, but its not on the level of Batman Begins and Spiderman 2

(Reply to this)

Bloody Mathias writes:
on May 01 2008 07:58 PM

* Stands and claps *

I hope anyone making a superhero film (i'm talking to you Gavin Hood) takes note. Step up or get out. Iron Man, Hellboy 2 and The Dark Knight are out to make a point:

Given proper care and attention, superhero films can be a blast in every sense of the word.

(Reply to this)

crossouttheD writes:
on May 01 2008 08:01 PM

I have to see this movie now.

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jokerboy1991 writes:
on May 01 2008 08:06 PM

Yeah I would give it a 9/10 its really good. I would consider it in the top ranks with BATMAN BEGINS, X2, SPIDERMAN 2, and SUPERMAN, maybe not as amazing but reall good. It left me wanting more, especially a little longer fight scene at the end and sometimes (I got most of it) I had troubles understanding what IRON MONGER was saying, but for the most part I got it. Definatel go see it its really really good!

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AndrewDB writes:
on May 01 2008 08:18 PM

This isn't saying much considering the fact that we had to deal with movies like Super Hero Movies, and The Hottie and The Nottie.

Hollywood's green light machine has been taped on the YES position for a while.

IRON MAN just kicks the summer movie up a notch and makes all these other films look like what they are.. pure ****.

(Reply to this)

wockawocka219 writes:
on May 01 2008 08:39 PM

absolutely fantastic movie.

(Reply to this)

cswb writes:
on May 01 2008 09:03 PM

Loved it!!! Robert Downey Jr. is amazing. Please start working on a sequel now!!!!

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gamecrazy2006 writes:
on May 01 2008 09:08 PM

I am surprised that it is getting so much critical acclaim as well. I'll see it eventually, but I'm looking forward to The Dark Knight, which will definitely trump any of the movies this year (Yeah, I'm biased-at least I'm admitting it).

(Reply to this)

d4nugster writes:
on May 01 2008 10:00 PM

ive seen this last night, and i got to say it ranks up there long with spidey's first foray into film...

(Reply to this)

d4nugster writes:
on May 01 2008 10:01 PM

ive seen this last night, and i got to say it ranks up there along with spidey's first foray into film...

(Reply to this)

directr33 writes:
on May 01 2008 10:52 PM

Just got back from seeing Iron Man and I thought it was fantastic, It ranks up there for me with the Spider-Man movies. I would have to say its on an even par with them but I liked them for different reasons. Spider-man because he has always been my favorite superhero and for the fact that Sam Raimi loved the characters. I see the same thing from Iron Man. It was done with style and good writing and storyline. It was fun to just enter Tony Starks world of gadgets and hi tech equipment. Robert Downey Jr. who I have had issues with in the past gave a stunning performance so much so that you forget that his Robert Downey Jr and believe he is Tony Stark. I am glad John Faverau didn't go the route of making the U.S. Military the bad guys like so many other movies that have come out recently, and like the Hulk which will be coming out soon, however I will withold judgement until I see it. Iron Man and the Spider-man movies are what marvel movies should be and I hope the next crop of movies coming out sticks to a formula like those two have. See this as soon as possible

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Darth Pepsi writes:
on May 01 2008 11:27 PM

It was awesome. I took my two kids and two friends, and we all thought it was great. This is in the top three super hero flick movies without a doubt. Great acting and a good plot. Nice script. Well done John Favereau! I spelled you name wrong, but you made a hell of a movie!

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CoUcH ToMaToE DoUgIe writes:
on May 01 2008 11:32 PM

RT-staff, don't mean to rock the boat but who's doing that

list of the best ranked superhero movies? You forgot Superman 2, which rates

at 87% fresh rating and came in tied with x-men 2 as the fourth best

reviewed superhero movie ever and for some reason you forget to list it!

Um, why? Is it because you hate great and beloved movies, with memorable

fight scenes, villians and moments (Kneel before Zod!!)Seriously, the fact

you put superman returns on the list and you forget to put a vastly superior

superman movie on it. Jeez, this movie til 2000, was the second greatest

superhero flick and you forget it... damn no one cares about good superman

movies anymore!! Still, i am in shock over the Iron Man reviews and it has

a real chance to be THE movie of the year for me and every fanboy!! and who

would would ever thought that in a year with the Dark Knight in it. Honestly

folks, is it even reasonable to expect dark knight to match this movie?

I really hope it does but i think the summer's best moment premieres tommorow

night.

(Reply to this)

MattBaerFTW writes:
on May 02 2008 12:27 AM

just got back from the midnight showing it kicks ***

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ffamilyguy writes:
on May 02 2008 01:25 AM

Incredible! Every actor in this movie fits. Don't forget to watch until the end of the credits....there is an extra scene...very cool! They definitly made one of the best hero movies of all time. I would go on to say it was better than Spider Man....the first one....the 2nd one was awesome, but Iron Man was really, really good, so I will wait until I watch Iron Man a million times, then I could make my opinion on that. I still love Batman Begins and I can't wait til the Dark Knight comes out. Christopher Nolan is a badass. Hellboy II looks incredible! Seems like Del Torro is on a role! I have seen Pan's Labrynth like 20 times, and I love it, even if it has English subtitles. Hopefully Bryan Singer will step it up with the Superman sequel. Braniac would be a great villian. Please kill off Lex Luthor, he is the weekest damn villian ever!

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kobe8byrant writes:
on May 02 2008 02:01 AM

8/10 - thought the second and third act didn't capture my attention as well as the first but a very worthy franchise opener. I'm in for the sequel!

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smi1ey writes:
on May 02 2008 02:08 AM

"What's with all this mother ****ing Iron on a mother ****ing Man!?!?!"

I was THIS close to shouting that after the end credits...

...

I can't wait for the sequel!!!

(Reply to this)

Shadow16nh writes:
on May 02 2008 05:03 AM

It was exactly what I wanted from a superhero film, its characters are genuine, interesting, and the action is sparse, creatively done, and when it comes time to see Iron Man it's potent and just awesome really. I just had so much fun, and wanted to be Robert Downey's character, it's cliche to say it, but it really brings out the kid in you. We have to wait three years now? Sigh.

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zschmidt08 writes:
on May 02 2008 06:09 AM

the movie is not all that it is hyped up to be. the guns and stuff were cool, so was iron man himself not robert downey jr. acting was pretty corny, "The Dude" plays a bad guy?...wtf...that should of never happened. iron man has a cool house and some cool cars tho. i also thinks its funny that he defeats a terrorist group of like 20 people. thats another thing, i was kinda pissed that they applied it to current events, thats not an original idea at all. oh and the final fight seen was cool. i just didnt like that once again, the good guy is not as powerful as the bady guy, just like every other marvel movie. overall i give the 3-3.5/5 stars, rent it when it comes out on dvd, see it at the theater if u wana waste some $$

(Reply to this)