Robert Downey, Jr. shines.

Rating: 8/10 (7 July 2008)

Marvel's 'Iron Man' has swooped down to deliver a much-needed shot of adrenaline to a barren box office. Both in cash revenue and good old fashioned fun. It catapults us into the lucrative summer blockbuster season, not with a whimper, but with a bang heard around the world. It's not perfect, and it may not change the way superhero flicks are made, but this is one endlessly entertaining and explosively fun adventure that gets it right.
'Iron Man' doesn't have claim to the wild popularity of 'Spider-Man' or 'Superman' or 'Batman', which has provided director Jon Favreau and his team of writers a great opportunity to shape a modern franchise for a 21st century riddled with Mideast turmoil. It gives 'Iron Man' a chance to be relevant, to direct a hint of social commentary directly at the war on terror. But instead of pandering to its audience, 'Iron Man' is actually some of the most fun you're likely to have at the movies this year. A solid script, inventive direction, superb special effects, and an all-star cast makes this a rousing good time to be had.
While everything blends together exceptionally well, there's one man who shines above the rest, and that person is Robert Downey Jr. Continuing his streak of impressive performances, he really is the shining star that carries this film through and through. His presence is magnetic, and his sense of humor is spot-on sharp. For a man who at one point seemed down and out for good, it's indescribably wonderful to see him get the attention he deserves. A better man couldn't have been cast for this role. And when Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, and Gwyneth Paltrow can all come together and deliver fine performances, you've got something special on your hands.
'Iron Man' mixes all the right ingredients together to create a true summer blockbuster that sets an exciting tone for the rest of this season. Drama. Romance. Action. Suspense. Undeniably smart and incredibly witty, it is a decidedly mainstream comic book adaptation that is sure to convert even those who have never picked up a comic book in their lives and know nothing about Tony Stark (like myself). It's a refreshing non-sequel in a franchise-saturated marketplace, and yet it does have the potential to become one of the better series out there. For 'Iron Man' is a more complicated superhero, and it teases us with plenty of stories yet to be told. So don't leave the theater before the credits end.
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