'IRON MAN', AN IRON CLAD HIT

Quotable: "Sometimes you gotta run before you crawl." Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)

From a long line of superhero movies adapted from comic book series comes “Iron Man”, an action packed adventure laced with great comedic timing, killer special effects and a classic good vs. evil plot but with a technology twist. Robert Downey Jr. is playboy billionaire genius, Tony Stark, a technology and weapons inventor who has inherited his father’s legacy of developing advanced weapons systems for the U.S. government under the guise Stark Industries. Stark delights in developing newer more advanced deadly weapons and a carefree, no responsibilities lifestyle filled with shameless womanizing and showboating. When a demonstration in Afghanistan of Stark Industries latest “merchant of death”, the Jericho missile is intercepted by terrorists, Stark is not only mortally wounded by the missile but is taken hostage to create the weapon of mass destruction for his captors.
Robert Downy Jr. is the most darkly human “superhero” I’ve seen since Christian Bale reprised the role of the Dark Knight in the 2005 blockbuster, Batman Begins. His air of sarcasm, witty humor and ultimately social consciousness is something I along with many can directly relate to.


Gwyneth Paltrow and Terrance Howard round out the cast as Stark's sidekicks and confidants, Virginia "Pepper" Potts and U.S. Airforces officer , Jim Rhodes who keep him from the brink of disaster and recklessness that has become his life. While in captivity, Stark is exposed to the dangers that his weapons presents and it is this self-realization and sense of responsibility that he experiences that makes the movie so real and so current with the war in Iraq still raging, suicide bombers and Al-Quaida still terrorizing and the "weapons of mass destruction" still threatning a global apocalypse from North Korea.

Having grown up on Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, the (Uncanny) X-Men, Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Captain America and the Incredible Hulk to name a few, Iron Man was originally lost on me along with other pre released comic book hero adaptions, Daredevil, Electra, Punisher, Spawn, Blade and Ghost Rider until recently. The first fully financed project by Marvel Studios has raked in $100.4 million in its opening weekend making it the 10th biggest opening of all time and the fourth biggest for a superhero movie. Among non-sequels, it came second to the first "Spider-Man," which premiered with $114.8 million. Critics are stark raving mad, heralding it a “Fun summer blockbuster.”

“‘Iron Man’ has several advantages over a lot of recent efforts in the superhero genre. It features a solid cast, snappy dialogue, some pleasant surprises, expectedly impressive special effects and even a hint of subtle social commentary. But most importantly, it’s fun.” Dan Lybarger-EFilmcritic.com

“One of the hippest, best-written and best-directed superhero movies ever -- a splendid way to kick off the summer movie season.” Lou Lumenick – New York Post

“Hollywood has unearthed an unlikely weapon of mass destruction: Robert Downey Jr.” Claudia Puig - USA Today

After being exposed to lackluster previews sporadically prior to the release, I’m thankful that even a sleepless night of blog updates and web design work couldn’t keep me away from being exposed to the gem that Iron Man is. The critics and fans all agree, Iron Man is a must see and a welcoming change to the seemingly endless slump of mindless dribble that has been in theaters of late.

"IRON MAN" TRAILER

A superhuman movie that has been noted for its brawn and brains, Iron Man is in theaters now!