I came into the film knowing it was poorly received by the critics, and ended up enjoying it. Nothing deep here. I agree that the first Iron Man was much better. It’s worth the watch on Netflix if you haven’t seen it and care anything for the story.
Moral Rating: 2 of 5
Tony Stark realizes that he’s about to die and start’s realizing what matters most in his life. This is nice due to the fact that his escapades with women are pretty much non-existent (not really a priority on one’s death bed). He actually shows genuine interest in Pepper at the end, and it seems that there is something of value inside Tony Stark. Besides the not-so-great overall story, the realistic weakness affecting Stark makes the story a little more endearing.
This was a very slow moving movie. More thought provoking than suspenseful, in case you thought this might be a thriller. Check it out, it’s worth seeing at least once.
Moral Rating: 3 of 5
I liked the overall premise of wondering about life after death, and it was great that the film ended with the realization that there must be something good after this life. Clint Eastwood seems to put together a lot of thought provoking movies that help us contemplate the purpose of life. If only more movies did more to make us think, instead of being mindless entertainment.
This review is being written several months after we saw the movie, and so the following is only one thing that stood out that I remember, and is one worth commenting about (even if it is somewhat inconsequential to the overall review of the film.) One scene that was rather uncomfortable was when George invites the little kid who was following him to see if he could talk to his brother into his hotel room. I was just waiting for someone in the movie to take and twist that incident into something bad. Nothing ended up happening, but in this day and age we have to be ultra-careful about what we do and with whom we do it.
For example, as a married man its probably best not to ride in the car alone with a woman who isn’t my wife, nor should I take young kids for a ride that are not my own. This may sound ridiculous, and I’ve often got some strange reactions when I try to keep to this rule of mine, but it ends up being for the safety of everyone in a world that doesn’t bat an eye at bringing anybody down because of something that could seem inappropriate if twisted the right way.
I felt good after watching this movie. There was a good overall message present: it's never too late to make amends (as long as you do it before you die). Carter and Edward were given a forewarning of when they would probably die, not too many people are so fortunate (if fortune is a way to describe such a situation). Both ended up realizing that family was the most important part of their lives, though it was a painful process to realize it.
It taught the lesson that no matter how much good you try to do for someone else they don't have to be willing to accept it. They are probably not ready for it, though it shouldn't be something you avoid doing. Carter thought it would be good for Edward to see his daughter after not speaking with her for years. Though Edward refused it up front, a seed was planted in his heart and he eventually made amends with his daughter and was rewarded for it (though not always the results of good intentions).
Edward also learned the importance of empathy. When he became a patient in his own hospital, he realized that he wasn't just running a hospital, he was running a temporary home for sick people.
This didn't get a 5 because it didn't feel like a 5. It had a great message, and with it filtered I'd recommend it to anyone, but it was very predictable. Nothing overly new or original, but I did enjoy it.
