A very different movie. The special effects are fantastic. I found myself a bit dizzy and having to take off the 3D glasses for a minute here and there. The action sequences are fast and thus if you experience motion sickness know it is normal. The message is clear at the end of the movie.
Both actors complement each other nicely in the movie. It opens your eyes to the poverty and homeless issues the city of L.A. deals (or ignores rather) with. Jamie Foxx plays masterfully a schizophrenic brilliant man. While Robert Downey Jr. portraits a man dealing with internal issues.
I did not read the book so I found the movie to be a good thriller. Some parts seemed disjointed probably due to editing. It was way better than the Da Vinci code (I read that book.)
The movie is cute and sweet. Kids will get a kick out of it. However the social criticism is obvious. It targets the high rates of obesity, consumerism and environmental issues we face nowadays.
The flaws of Downey Jr. are the same as the ones of the character. Downey portraits an egotistic and womanizing genius that is charming and appealing. Very well adapted to the comic and fitted to today's idea of a super-hero. Definitely not for kids.