Over the years, there have been only a handful of exceptional superhero movies and "Iron Man" is among them.


Much was made of this “risky” casting but it pays off beautifully. Compellingly charismatic and devilishly handsome, Robert Downey Jr. offers an exciting performance in the Jon Favreau -directed superhero “origin story.”

Treating the comic strip character as a dramatic actor, Downey Jr. and the supporting cast are perfectly placed. Keeping the pace as fast as possible, the quick-witted actor imparts vital energy to and unrivaled verve to Favreau’s static compositions.

Above all, humor is what establishes this highly entertaining superhero flick into something void of constraint and beyond expectation.

Terrence Howard works his magic and gives a great performance as Rhodie, Starks’ best friend. There is also hinting of Howard’s character evolving into the Iron Man-like super sentinel, War Machine.

The fun of “Iron Man,” a Marvel adaptation in which a routine arc has been burnished with great elegance and skill, is the way that it heals the split, soldering the two halves of its hero into a single organically driven figure. Beneath the requisite spectacle is an issue-laden storyline with heart to go along with its brains.

As the louche playboy with a knowing glint in his eye, billionaire Tony Stark sets out to right the wrong imparted by his company, Stark Industries’ weapons on the Third World.

The first in what is rumored to be a three-part franchise ultimately is more about the man, Tony Stark, as opposed to his alternate Iron Man persona. “Iron Man “is an excellent return to form for the Marvel Franchise. Easily the best Marvel Comics-based movie yet, Favreau, Downey and company have nailed this one!