With Iron Man 2 just around the corner and looking like it’s going to be a whole lot of crazy fun, what better time to release the second instalment in the Armored Adventures animated DVD series – a slightly different take on the Marvel classic.
Tony Stark is a teenager in this CGI cartoon. To grasp the plot of this volume, it’s essential to have seen the first 13 episodes of the series, which are available on a previously released DVD. It’s a shame that the two halves of the series were released separately, since this 2-disc set really doesn’t stand on its own as a self-contained story. In these episodes, Tony continues to search for the Makluan rings, coming up against the evil Mandarin, Obadiah Stone, and even the Hulk.
Iron Man: Armored Adventures is definitely a childrens’ cartoon, but the storylines are admirably complex. Even I didn’t understand some of it. However, there are some enjoyable (and astute) teen-friendship-based subplots to make things a bit more accessible, even if the characters are awfully bland. So, older kids may find the show engaging on an intellectual level, while younger kids will probably still enjoy it simply because it’s a cartoon about Iron Man that’s fun to look at.
The animation is excellent. The visuals are steely and pristine – not a speck of dust or grime to be seen anywhere – and they have a certain cinematic feel to them. The level of detail, especially in terms of the background settings, is very impressive. And though the characters’ movements are a little slow, they are brilliantly smooth and fluid. All round, a slick, well-made slice of entertainment. No special features, though.
Overall Verdict: A fine alternative version of the Iron Man story for kids who aren’t ready for the films.
Special Features:
None
Reviewer: Tom René