Explosive and well informed film that's shows the action as raw and gritty. And that's suits this flawed action hero just fine!

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2008)

"Iron Man" is clearly not as well known to the masses like "Superman" or "Batman" yet still this is a superhero that's interesting and his character flaws make him likable as Tony Stark/Iron Man comes with no boyishness or glower he's just all action packed business! Robert Downey Jr. with his troubled past and rocky personal life was well suited to play a flawed and hard living character like Tony Stark. Stark is a hard partying, womanizing, high tech celebrity weapons magnate who's loaded with money and lives the luxury of fame. Yet when he's wounded upon a trip to Afghanistan a raw and gritty transformation takes places as Stark becomes a hulking machine type rocket man! The film then shifts off to the great special effects we have became so used to in action movies, yet the theme of the character transformation so dominates the film from the development of his body chest suit, to the making of his clicking limbs and flamethrower arms all rounded out perfect when he's topped off by a medieval knight mask to become "Iron Man"! Stark/Iron Man fooled his captures by constructing a cluster bomb they demanded only he built a mechanical alter ego to fly to freedom! And his goal is to destroy all weapons that he once created, as he now wants to fight for peace.
The film is really a great characterization of a flawed man being transformed into a superhero even though the action and special effects are good. Supporting performances are well worth mention from Jeff Bridges as Stark's former friend but now evil corporate partner with his shaved head and beard intimidating. Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts who's Tony selfless assistant and Paltrow gives a cute spark like twinkle to the role as the chemistry and sexual tension between her and Downey is well shown. Overall this isn't the greatest attempt at a superhero film clearly falling short from the feel and excitement and thrill of "Batman" or let me say even "Superman", yet still with Downey's performance and the action plus with the way it tells of the transformation of a flawed soul into a superhero most film watchers and comic fans are compensated in a grand way.