Face front, true believers!

Rating: 10/10 (3 May 2008)

Marvel has certainly put out more movies than DC, but the movies have been up and down. For the first time, Marvel has fully funded the movie, giving them more control of the script, plot, casting choices, and the overall feel. Depending on the current people at Marvel, that might not have been a good thing.
Yet, Marvel has shown that no one knows their business like them. They present a blend of the right amount of character development, character growth, and action. The story doesn't sacrifice action, but doesn't leave you feeling woozy from scene after scene.
This is a great story. The script captures the glibness of the comic while not dipping into campiness. The climactic ending, too, could have been in one of the better Marvel books. Gone is the stilted deus ex machina ending of Fantastic Four and Ghostrider.
The casting is awesome and all the actors do a fantastic job. I never doubted that Robert Downy Jr. would live up to the part. Such a waste that he blew so many years on the drugs. I had worried about John Lefavreu as a director, but there's nothing bad that can be said about the film.
Except that it leaves you wanting more. The film doesn't glut you on overkill action and powers, but rightly develops a character. It follows suit with Batman Returns and the first Spiderman. It also reminds you that it will be too darn long before there is a sequel.
Somewhere, Stan Lee is smiling.