# So I just saw Iron Man (unboxed minor spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 3, 2008, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283 "2008-10-03T07:42:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/101 "2008-10-07T14:38:32Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Anaamika, do you mean he kept the original & lesser chestpiece power supply as symbol, punishment, and reminder, or that he forewent surgery for those reasons? He forewent (cool word) surgery for those reasons. **silenus** got it in one. Well, IMO, anyway. But isn’t that the point of a lot of these superheroes? Tony Stark is less overt about what he feels and what he’s responsible for, there’s only a couple of times where he comes out and actually says it (unlike Peter Parker who’s always whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiining about it) but I still think he feels that he messed up, but in his surroundings and his life, I could see where he needed a physical reminder of what he was and what he had done, so he wouldn’t fall back into the old ways. As for the old reactor, I didn’t get the idea it had permanently run out of power. I thought those things couldn’t? I more got the idea the suit was damaged in some way (since it exploded) and the linkups or something were not working. And, by the way, I did catch the "both’ and the three adjectives in my original comment. I was going to make a crack about it (“Our three weapons are…”) but couldn’t be arsed to. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/102 "2008-10-07T14:42:18Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > [What about this guy?](http://punditkitchen.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/political-pictures-bill-gates-microsift-sexy-attractive.jpg) That’s a _computer_ whiz, not a math whiz. Slightly different species, but in the same genus. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/103 "2008-10-07T14:42:41Z")
Besides, I have to imagine on some level, probably once he was able to sit down and make the second arc reactor, he was thinking, “I’m a cyborg. This is _badass_.” ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/104 "2008-10-07T15:13:58Z")
See, this is why I am not Superhero-Cool. I would be sitting down singing “Turn On Your Heartlight”… ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/105 "2008-10-07T15:48:09Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > He forewent (cool word) I thought you’d like it. That said, I should have written “forwent,” without an e. I must now [del]hang my head in shame[/del] blame someone else for the mistake and swear vengeance. > [@](#): > > surgery for those reasons. **silenus** got it in one. Well, IMO, anyway. But isn’t that the point of a lot of these superheroes? Tony Stark is less overt about what he feels and what he’s responsible for, there’s only a couple of times where he comes out and actually says it (unlike Peter Parker who’s always whiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiining about it) but I still think he feels that he messed up, but in his surroundings and his life, I could see where he needed a physical reminder of what he was and what he had done, so he wouldn’t fall back into the old ways. I doubt he ever verbalized it, even to himself, but I agree that was his thought process. What I like about Downey’s acting style is that it’s much more gesture, expression, and implication than it is anything overt. He accomplishes more with just a look than most people can. Consider the expression on his face when he is fiddling with his gauntlet while watching news reports of the suffering his stolen inventions have caused; for that matter, the expression on his face when he realizes he has utterly screwed the pooch with regards to Pepper Potts in favor of evanescent coitus with shallow tramps. Also, the difference between Peter Parker and Tony Stark is that, though Parker is probably a better person overall, Stark is more rational, even in his guilt. Peter’s uncle’s death isn’t really his fault; he has a massive case of survivor’s guilt and needs to spend a long time on the couch. Stark, on the other hand, is entirely correct to think that he’s going to be called to account for the deaths he’s contributed to on Judgment Day. > [@](#): > > And, by the way, I did catch the "both’ and the three adjectives in my original comment. I was going to make a crack about it (“Our three weapons are…”) but couldn’t be arsed to. Hey! I made no such observation about an innocent typo. I’m a jackass, but not THAT kind of jackass. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/106 "2008-10-07T19:42:37Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > As for the old reactor, I didn’t get the idea it had permanently run out of power. I thought those things couldn’t? I more got the idea the suit was damaged in some way (since it exploded) and the linkups or something were not working. He exceeded the power ratings of it, and drained most of its power out. The suit computer mentioned that he only had something like 1% of power left at one point. He no doubt would have needed to build another one fairly quickly, but I think he’s got the parts. 😉 > [@Broomstick](#): > > That’s a _computer_ whiz, not a math whiz. Slightly different species, but in the same genus. So, you’re telling me that Gates is _not_ a nerd? Watch [this 19 second clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxaCOHT0pmI) and get back to me on that. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/107 "2008-10-07T19:57:19Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I thought you’d like it. That said, I should have written “forwent,” without an e. I must now [del]hang my head in shame[/del] blame someone else for the mistake and swear vengeance. Well, it makes it even with my both/three mistake. > [@](#): > > I doubt he ever verbalized it, even to himself, but I agree that was his thought process. What I like about Downey’s acting style is that it’s much more gesture, expression, and implication than it is anything overt. He accomplishes more with just a look than most people can. Consider the expression on his face when he is fiddling with his gauntlet while watching news reports of the suffering his stolen inventions have caused; for that matter, the expression on his face when he realizes he has utterly screwed the pooch with regards to Pepper Potts in favor of evanescent coitus with shallow tramps. I fucking _love_ Downey. I don’t know how I ever missed this gem of an actor and I’m glad he seems to have lifted himself out of the drug haze he was in and has come back. _Tropic Thunder_ was stolen by him and him alone. I agree with everything you say - Stark is troubled in that flick, but he doesn’t blame it anyone else. He just does it. I love the scene with them dancing, and the balcony. “We’re dancing…and I’m wearing this ridiculous dress…in front of everybody…” I like Pepper Potts. They made her a very strong woman in her own way, and she didn’t have to be annoying or bitchy to get there _coughLoisLanecough_. > [@](#): > > Also, the difference between Peter Parker and Tony Stark is that, though Parker is probably a better person overall, Stark is more rational, even in his guilt. Peter’s uncle’s death isn’t really his fault; he has a massive case of survivor’s guilt and needs to spend a long time on the couch. Stark, on the other hand, is entirely correct to think that he’s going to be called to account for the deaths he’s contributed to on Judgment Day. Parker strikes me as the classic Nice Guy, who thinks he is a nice guy but has never come to terms with nor addressed the darkness in his soul. Even in the third movie he decides to beat up the demon and defeat him…but it’s never made overtly clear that the demon is a _part_ of him, and merely fist-fighting it to death doesn’t make it go away. Plus I like Stark because he’s self-made, and extremely intelligent to boot. Parker just got bit by a spider. That could happen to anybody. I prefer the Tick to Parker - don’t get me wrong, Spidey’s Ok, but really not my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/108 "2008-10-07T20:11:29Z")
> [@Tuckerfan](#): > > So, you’re telling me that Gates is _not_ a nerd? Watch [this 19 second clip](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxaCOHT0pmI) and get back to me on that. Analogy time: If you’re weird and poor you’re crazy. If you’re weird and rich you’re eccentric. If you’re an egghead and poor you’re a nerd. If you’re an egghead and rich you’re a whiz. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/109 "2008-10-07T20:13:49Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Analogy time: > > If you’re weird and poor you’re crazy. > If you’re weird and rich you’re eccentric. > > If you’re an egghead and poor you’re a nerd. > If you’re an egghead and rich you’re a whiz. A nerd by any other name would still be a geek. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/110 "2008-10-07T22:25:45Z")
[Iron Man is who Batman would be if Bruce Wayne weren’t such a whiney bitch](http://www.pvponline.com/2008/10/07/the-emo-knight/). ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/111 "2008-10-07T23:59:06Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > [Iron Man is who Batman would be if Bruce Wayne weren’t such a whiney bitch](http://www.pvponline.com/2008/10/07/the-emo-knight/). Ha! I feel like the other guy “Please stop talking now.” I love Batman, but you might be right. ---
**Author:** ![dehacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@dehacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dehacker)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/112 "2008-10-08T20:05:51Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > :GASP: Do I know something you don’t about science? The VLT in Chile can resolve the surface of the moon to less than a meter. It’s not owned or operated by NASA, either. I know this is a bit of a hijack in a thread about Iron Man of all places, but I believe this statement, and the previous one alluding to viewing Apollo objects with earthly telescopes is incorrect. Though the VLT does have the resolution you mention, I don’t think it would ever be able to actually take pictures of the Apollo artifacts [because of the way the CCD’s work](http://forums.astronomydaily.com/viewtopic.php?t=1333&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=15). The moon is just way too bright to allow it. The VLT is built to resolve very distant, very dim objects, not really close, really bright ones. I believe the best images of the moon from the VLT so far have been at approximately [130 meters of resolution](http://www.eso.org/public/outreach/press-rel/pr-2002/phot-19-02.html), though this was in 2002 so things may have improved. [This image](http://www.bautforum.com/astronomy/1888-european-southern-observatory-captures-new-sharp-view.html) may be sharper, though at best it is at 50 meter resolution, which is still nowhere near enough to resolve Apollo artifacts. If you have any evidence of a better image from the VLT, I would love to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2008, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/113 "2008-10-10T21:04:31Z")
Watched it last night: great fun, although essentially a remake of **Robocop 2**. Took me forever to pick the guy who played Coulson, the SHIELD agent: he’s the head Thermian from **Galaxy Quest**. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/114 "2008-10-11T02:55:35Z")
Crap! THAT’S who he was! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2008, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/115 "2008-10-11T13:59:18Z")
No, the head honcho there is _Veronica Mars_ daddy Enrico Colantoni. You probably recognise the SHIELD agent from _New Adventures of Old Christine_. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/116 "2008-10-14T16:13:20Z")
Ok, so I did finish rewatching it this weekend, and he does indeed have holes cut in his t-shirts - but only when he is actively working on the suit. So whoever said he needed access to it was indeed correct. All of the other times he has a solid shirt and you can see it shining through. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2008, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283/117 "2008-10-14T16:20:46Z")
> [@Scissorjack](#): > > Watched it last night: great fun, although essentially a remake of **Robocop 2**. Took me forever to pick the guy who played Coulson, the SHIELD agent: he’s the head Thermian from **Galaxy Quest**. That assertion is, of course, bullshit. The movie storyline combined the [Iron Man origin story from 1963](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man)and [the Iron Monger arc from 1985](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Monger). The first Robocop was released in [1987](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robocop), and the second in [1990](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RoboCop_2). You sound like my tutorial student who claims that \*Hamlet \*rips off _The Lion King_. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-just-saw-iron-man-unboxed-minor-spoilers/466283.md?page=5)