Iron Man was the start of the Marvel comic universe we know today

Rating: 9/10 (13 May 2008)

I revisited this film for the first time in a while and I have to say, that the Marvel universe really started off on the right foot. Sure, Spider-man had already had three huge blockbusters and the X-men were successful and the Hulk, well he was in a very artsy film; however, as far as films that were interconnected and leading to big things this would be the start. Granted, The Incredible Hulk would stumble a bit, though I enjoyed that one too. This one showed that a lesser known hero could take the center stage as back then he was known to us comic geeks, but not as widely known as heroes such as Spider-man, Superman, Batman or others. Now, nearly everyone knows about him and this is the film that kicked him off and put him on the right track. An origin film that gets quite a bit right as far as how Tony Stark became Iron Man in the comics. Very good action and the effects were good too as the Iron Man armor looks very good. I always enjoy seeing Iron Man in films now because his armor always looks totally cool to me.
The story has Tony Stark demonstrating his latest weapon in the middle east. He designs weapons and his company is a major player in the military. Well the convoy he is in gets attacked and he is taken prisoner. He has shrapnel in his chest and it is heading to his hear; however, a doctor has placed a magnet in his chest to keep it out. The terrorist holding him, want him to make a missile, but he decides to do something else. So he designs a arc reactor in his chest and then designs a suit to make his escape in. Once home he decides to stop making weapons and instead focuses on designing a more state of the art suit so he can do some good in the world and be a protector rather than a destroyer. Unfortunately, a man who works at Stark Enterprises and is second in command as plans of his own to build a suit and for more militaristic purposes.
The first thing they got right in this one was casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man. He does a great job and I have enjoyed seeing him portray the role again and again. Terrance Howard was Rhodey in this film and would have continued to be the character, but a salary dispute led him to leaving the role. He is okay, but now that Don Cheadle has been Rhodey in every film since this one it is a bit strange seeing Howard in the role now for me. Jeff Bridges does an okay job as the bad guy, but the suit he wears is a bit more awesome than he is as the main bad guy.
The film was good as it started up the Marvel universe of films. Nowadays, the humor and action seen in the films stem from the start which is this film. You get to see the old school Iron Man suit and the more up to date one, though I do wish you got to see the fully operational suit a bit more as the last battle has Iron Man battling at less than full power. Still, the last fight in this one was a bit better than the final fights in the sequels. The film also ends in a bit of a humorous and unexpected way as opposed to what was the standard back in the day with the hero on a rooftop or standing sulkily on a ledge.