Great Action Movie

Rating: 9/10 (10 May 2008)

By way of introduction, I have no background at all with the Ironman comics or character. I also have very little experience with the "superhero" movie genre, and most of the little I've seen was not that good. Thus, all of this was totally new to me so I was able to see the movie through "unbiased" eyes and with relatively low expectations.
I loved it! A fabulous movie from start to finish. Downey's characterization of Stark was superb, with just the right mix of humor and obnoxiousness to make him endearing, rather than annoying (I especially liked the first twenty minutes or so when he was really over the top). Jeff Bridges was so heavy as to be almost unrecognizable, but played his part well. Everyone else seemed credible in their roles; the Gwyneth Paltrow character was even properly subdued and the chemistry between she and Downey was realistically uncomfortable.
I guess that the best praise I can give to this movie is that it did not feel like a "superhero" movie. Everything was driven by at least superficially-plausible earthly technology, rather than the usual range of superpowers.
My only regret is that it's probably a bit too intense for my seven-year old; perhaps in a few years. I'll look forward to seeing it again.