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I picked up this DVD from the store the other day.
It's based on the Warren Ellis limited series, but I didn't realize it would actually be a "motion comic" instead of a traditional animated feature. Given that my previous exposure to this type of animation comes from the aborted "Ultimates" motion comic (2 discs were planned, one was released) and the "Watchmen" motion comic, I had very low expectations regarding the animation.
I was pleasantly surprised.
The animation is slick and stylish, easily a match for the best that current animation trends have to offer, and far more detailed. Although labeled a "motion comic", I would be perfectly willing to consider this a fully animated feature just on its own. It looks great, the voice acting is fine, and Ellis story brings all the grit we've come to expect from his other work. For what it is, this is a solid if unremarkable movie, retelling the Iron Man origin, meditating on the place of arms development in the tech race, and giving us some hard-hitting Iron Man action. Notably absent (thankfully) is Ellis' trademark potty mouth.
Nearly eclipsing the movie is the huge offering of featurettes that make this DVD really enjoyable, including interviews, histories, and a "What the...?". Three trailers for other motion comics are included, and if I find them for the same $10 I paid for this one, I'll seriously considered picking them up as well.
It's based on the Warren Ellis limited series, but I didn't realize it would actually be a "motion comic" instead of a traditional animated feature. Given that my previous exposure to this type of animation comes from the aborted "Ultimates" motion comic (2 discs were planned, one was released) and the "Watchmen" motion comic, I had very low expectations regarding the animation.
I was pleasantly surprised.
The animation is slick and stylish, easily a match for the best that current animation trends have to offer, and far more detailed. Although labeled a "motion comic", I would be perfectly willing to consider this a fully animated feature just on its own. It looks great, the voice acting is fine, and Ellis story brings all the grit we've come to expect from his other work. For what it is, this is a solid if unremarkable movie, retelling the Iron Man origin, meditating on the place of arms development in the tech race, and giving us some hard-hitting Iron Man action. Notably absent (thankfully) is Ellis' trademark potty mouth.
Nearly eclipsing the movie is the huge offering of featurettes that make this DVD really enjoyable, including interviews, histories, and a "What the...?". Three trailers for other motion comics are included, and if I find them for the same $10 I paid for this one, I'll seriously considered picking them up as well.
