excellent adaptation of a comic

Rating: 9/10 (1 May 2008)

Really, the best adaptation of a comic I've seen in years - much, much better than Ang Lee's Hulk, Batman Begins, or Superman Returns. I'd even say it's a bit better than the Spiderman series.
The plot contains most of the necessary elements for the first story of any superhero. There is an origin story, how Iron Man is created, as well as the motivation for the main character, and the eventual discovery of worthy villains.
What separates Iron Man are a few things. The script is excellent, the effects are excellent, the technology is at least mildly plausible (to the point the suspension of disbelief isn't absurd, as with Superman), the plot involves contemporary elements (terrorism, arms merchants), and most importantly, the acting is superb.
Robert Downey Jr. is superbly cast as Tony Stark. I cannot imagine anybody else playing this role. But the supporting cast is good, esp. Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeff Bridges, the latter of whom is hardly recognizable as Stark's longtime partner.
Some advice for anybody seeing this film: stay through the entirety of the credits.