Marvel superhero movie that packs a punch

Rating: 8/10 (12 May 2008)

I went to the cinema to see Iron Man not expecting much; I liked the cast already, but it's been a while since I saw a really good summer blockbuster. Anyway, I was blown away by how good it is. Robert Downey Jnr (Robert Stark) was a revelation - I can't imagine anyone else in the role. The usually reliable Gwyneth Paltrow worked wonders with a slim role as Stark's PA, and the package was completed by a shaven-headed and bearded (and almost unrecognisable) Jeff Bridges as the fatherly company VP. This film is a perfect blockbuster - it delivers fast-paced, exciting action, nuanced but light performances, and a story that is never boring or incomprehensible. If you're looking for something profound or life-changing, you won't find it here, but you shouldn't expect to. The hero is a genesis of the journey he makes during the film, and the bad guys do get their comeuppance, but expect (and look forward to) at least one sequel in the next 2 years.