Iron Man

Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven

Opening in theatres this week is the beginning of the summer blockbusters with one of Marvel Comics lesser-known super heroes brought by Paramount Pictures with “Iron Man”.

This is the story of Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.), a billionaire industrialist with a rapier wit and a come back for everything. While on a trip to Afghanistan showing off his latest weapon invention to the US Army, Stark is kidnapped and forced to create weapons that will devastate the world.

Outsmarting his kidnappers, Stark builds a high-tech suit and escapes. Coming back as a man with a new mission, Stark realizes he has more to offer than destruction. Changing his life gets in the way of Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges) who becomes angry as the company’s stock plummets. Stone is another genius who was a friend to Stark’s father and, more importantly, has secrets of his own.

Unfortunately Stark has to return to Afghanistan to set things right against the terror leader Raza (Faran Tahir). When he returns Stark must come face to face with the angry  Stane.

In his cache of help is Virginia “Pepper” Potts (Gweneth Paltrow), Stark’s loyal assistant who backs up Stark and never backs away from a fight. Also helping Stark is Lt. Colonel James Rhodes (Terrence Howard) who is his best friend and ally.

FINAL WORD: Who ever decided to ask Robert Downey, Jr. to be Iron Man is a genius! Downey plays this role well jumping from wise cracking arrogance to serious super hero without missing a beat.

Howard comes on strong with his role as Rhodes and, word in the comic world is that we will be seeing him don a suit of his own as Marvel Comics expands its page to screen characters.

Bridges brings it with his performance as the double-faced Stane.  It is good to see Paltrow on the screen again as Pepper but this isn’t a stretch role for her.

There are so many special affects that are great and it just keeps the audience going. There is a “Transformers” type feel to it, which could be considered a small downside, but overall it doesn’t change the fun in the film.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Iron Man” three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. This is going to be a thrill ride from start to finish and the music brings everything up close and rocking. 

“Iron Man” is the opening act of the summer blockbusters and Marvel has rocketed ahead of the pack.