A Real Clunker.

Rating: Null/10 (7 June 2008)

Over-exaggerated and over-wrought would-be superhero dynamic action thriller gets bogged down in a silly screenplay, sillier characters, and sophomoric direction by Jon Favreau. Extraordinary U.S. arms dealer Robert Downey, Jr. is captured by Afghan terrorists on their own turf and must escape by creating his alter ego---the titled character. Now he is a Captain America-styled modern-day freedom fighter who uses state of the art technology and high brow intelligence to fight the dreaded opposition. Jeff Bridges has a predictable role as Downey's would-be associate. Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrence Howard supply uninspired supporting roles who do nothing to advance the film's sporadic tone and helter-skelter approach. Downey, Jr.'s supposedly revolutionary role as Tony Stark is little more than a mediocre caricature of an old idea which has never shown much depth or complexity. Based on a comic strip first created by Stan Lee in 1963. 2.5 out of 5 stars.