Iron Man = solid gold

Rating: 8/10 (1 May 2008)

DC has always had Superman, and Marvel has always had Spiderman. In the modern era, Superman and Batman have made a powerful 1-2 punch for DC/Warner Bros(anyone else see the World's Finest teaser billboard flash by in I Am Legend?), but Marvel has been throwing a weak 1-2 for years now, with the Punisher, Daredevil, and the Hulk all failing to make a decent follow up for Spidey. But now Marvel has Ironman as a powerful left cross.
Ironman is an excellent franchise launch. Following my analogy above, it most closely reminds me of Batman Begins with it's well grounded story, excellent cast, and well built(literally and figuratively) franchise foundation. There are no weak links in the front four, with Robert Downey Jr. fitting the gold plated armor as well as Tobey McGuire fit the Spidey suit, Gwyneth Paltrow being the best female lead in a superhero movie since Frances McDormand in Darkman, Jeff Bridges towering over his costars and chewing scenes, and Terrence Howard channeling Benicio Del Toro as Tony Stark's friend (and one day successor in the comic book), Jim Rhodes. Really not an acting related weak spot to be found throughout the reel.
As for the script, I thought it was a slick, well plotted, complete movie. Some knock John Favrue as a lightweight action director, but I felt he did a really good job(remember, I am not a Gen X-er, so we'll see what their patience for story is). Favreau and his staff achieve the right mix of action and back story, plotting and fireworks that many other directors miss with superhero movies(either all show, no go like the Clooney Batman movies, or slogging metaphysical BS such as in Eric Bana's Hulk or Val Kilmer's Batman). He playfully flirts with more than a few superhero movie cliché's, but skillfully moves the film against type at just the right times. When the completely unsurprising twist comes near the climax of the movie, it is so well acted and written that the story doesn't miss a beat. And twice in the final frames Favrue puts the football up on the tee for Charlie Brown, only to yank it away to good effect before the kick lands. Deft touch, I thought. Also, Stan Lee's obligatory cameo is more amusing and less gratuitous than most of his others.
Overall, a very good superhero, action movie, a more solid beginning to the blockbuster season than we have seen in a few years. Should clear at least $275 million domestic, $70-80 million in the opening weekend would not be unheard of.
3.5 stars out of 4.
Investors will note the opening splash screen no longer says "Marvel" but "Marvel Entertainment", heralding a new chapter in Marvel's spotty cinematic history. With a reclamation project of their intellectual property rights completed over the past 5 years under Avi Araad, Marvel is now producing many of their own features (Spiderman and X-Men are still optioned as collaborations with other studios). Ironman, and the Incredible Hulk opening in June are both produced solely by Marvel, meaning larger profits for them, and Monday is Marvel's earning's call, so look for their stock to bump up towards $35-$40 real soon.