Those who judge the rest of the year's blockbusters will be in for a treat if Iron Man is anything to go by. Based on the Marvel comic book, this has so much going for it. Having Robert Downey Jr as the lead is casting genius. I have always thought of him as underrated, and here he gets to shine, as Tony Stark, billionaire arms inventor who, when captured by an Afghan army, escape by creating an iron suit with loads of added extras.
Back home, and realising that his weapons are not doing anyone any good, he decides to create a new version of his Iron Man outfit, to take on the bad guys and use it for good, but some disagree.
This could have been another comic book blockbuster, but it has plenty of weight. Jeff Bridges is always watchable and Terrence Howard, in an underwritten part, is still good. The real surprise is Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark PA. Looking gorgeous in her red hair, her relationship with Downey is crackling, both with wit and intelligence, and sexual tension. Those who are bored with flash-bang action will love the way the two characters banter with each other.
Of course, director Jon Favreau gives the action its own space, and the battle at the end will keep fans of Transformers going, but this is much more than just a comic book adaptation. It has heart. And plenty of it.
By the way, don't walk out at the end. Stay for the post-credit sequence which will give you a clue where Iron Man is heading.
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