Sharp and exciting adaptation

Rating: 9/10 (22 November 2008)

After a life threatening run in with a group of terrorists, weapons maker Tony Stark (Downey) sets to work on a new weapon.
After Marvel comics Spider-Man and Incredible Hulk were made into blockbuster smash hits, the trend grew with another infamous comic book being adapted and based on Stan Lee's series; this is a very effective exciting Sci-Fi thriller.
Robert Downey Jr (Chaplin) stars as weapons genius Tony Stark, an intelligent man with a professional life. At times films can have a central hero with a bizarre under-explained background but Favreau dives into Stark's life before Iron Man by projecting a simplistic idea into the opening scenes. Stark is receiving an award and we take a look at photos of his past and how he came to where he is. This simplicity is brilliant, building a character in a matter of minutes whereas other films can fall in an overdose of information that plagues them throughout, but not here. Downey fits the part of the superhero. He looks it (losing weight for the part to and adlibbing his speech) and is funny, smart and unemotional, everything that the award projected to audiences. Apart from Heath Ledger's Joker, Stark is the most accurate portrayal of a comic book character to date.
The supporting cast of Howard, Bridges and Paltrow give good support to the outstanding Downey but this film is all about the plot.
Spider-man, X-Men and Batman films have thrown in clichés into the franchises over the years and thankfully Iron Man is a cliché and predictable free film, filled with spontaneity, life and excitement, made so by Favreau' s direction and the writing.
We start in the middle of the desert and Stark is travelling to an unknown destination in the company of soldiers who immediately protect him when the explosions begin.
What follows is a string of interesting and jaw dropping events such as kidnap, politics, business and the creation of the superhero. All fast and flowing, the plot is simple but exciting. There are a few lapses in the kidnap scene, not to mention a brief explanation of the hole in the chest and a typical last gasp ending fight.
Iron Man is a consistent action thriller filled with fast flowing action sequences. The comedy and drama Stark has is added bonus, plus the scientific language and look at the weapons industry will please die hard fans.
This is a thoroughly entertaining film which will please all ages