I've read many arguments that, *because* the main character is a sexist pig (at least, at the beginning), the movie is sexist. I don't agree.

That's like saying a movie about Hitler promotes Naziism.

And, fuck, I just Godwinned already. Dammit.

And when she had her Big Climactic Moment, she got all irrational and told Tony she couldn't do it because it might kill him!

How DARE she care about someone else's welfare!

The arguments seem to say "How dare you make a comic-book movie that reflects the content of the comic book!"

Well, comic books can certainly be sexist (at best) and downright misogynistic (at worst). But I don't think Iron Man (the movie) was bad in that respect. I don't how the comic fares.

I don't how the comic fares.

Kinda dull, mostly. The movie is much better than any of the comics I've ever picked up, although I'd be happy to be proven wrong, since the character kind of kicks ass.

Haven't seen it yet (maybe after Hec's next paycheck we can go to the semi-local biggish indie house with the excellent vintage posters in the lobby and the concessions stand selling fancy coffees and chicken-apple sausage and veggie dogs), but, even overly sensitive and tetchy as I am, I'd be inclined to stand with Teppy and amych and Dana just on principle.

I love Last Crusade. It...might actually be my favorite. I remember watching Raiders of the Lost Ark again several years ago and finding it kind of...slow.

Kids these days....

Ha. You don't even know. Emmett has been watching the ads and is completely jazzed about getting his hands on the Indy Jones Lego game, but he thinks the movies all look flat-out Bad and he will never, never watch any of them because of their obvious stenchy badness. Pointing out that Indy is played by Han Solo gave him a moment's pause, but only just. What is a parent to do?

Kinda dull, mostly. The movie is much better than any of the comics I've ever picked up, although I'd be happy to be proven wrong, since the character kind of kicks ass.

My familiarity with the character comes solely from The Ultimates.

I mean, how many people object to Alfred's presence in Batman?

To be fair, if Alfred were a nubile young female servant, I might have some issues.

I don't see how the movie could have gotten around the source material, though. Pepper at least belongs in the movie, unlike [whatever Katie Holmes' character in Batman was named] in Batman Begins. There's no canonical basis (wow, that sounds pretentious, and yet I'm leaving it in), and she served absolutely no function in the movie.

Movie-version of Mary Jane? USELESS. It pains me to say it, but she is.

Pepper Potts has got some serious utility. Tony Stark would have ended up dead at least twice (possibly 3 times) if not for her.

I've spent a lot of time lately in a feminist rage threatening to kick people in the crotch, but Iron Man totally didn't ping me as misogynist.

My only real gender-based observation was, "There's NO WAY she could walk over a grated floor in those heels!"

Finally, I must agree: John Goodman, kung fu master = comedy gold.

I haven't seen Speed Racer yet, and most likely won't, but I have to say that the first Librarian movie on TNT (starring Noah Wylie) had the best incongrous use of kung fu master--Bob Newhart!! I nearly fell off my chair laughing when he broke out the karate-chop moves.

My only real gender-based observation was, "There's NO WAY she could walk over a grated floor in those heels!"

Right? But maybe she *is* a superhero, and *that's* her super power!

I haven't seen the movie or read any of the comics, so I have no idea who Pepper Potts is. I'm just saying that in terms of sexism charges, Alfred doesn't really seem relevant. (Unless Pepper really IS Tony Stark's maid.)

Movie-version of Mary Jane? USELESS. It pains me to say it, but she is.

Yeah, it made me wonder why her character is apparently so popular. What does she do in the comics that makes her beloved as her own person and not just Spidey's girlfriend?

(Unless Pepper really IS Tony Stark's maid.)

Well, she does take out the trash.