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Downey shines in ‘Iron Man' blockbuster

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Hesitation and skepticism accompany me to most screenings of comic book adaptations. “Daredevil,” for example, proved to be a ridiculous disaster and a few in the “Batman” series really stunk. I could go on, but I think the point is made and in fairness, Marvel has a fairly decent track record with the “Spider-Man” series, “X-Men” series and others. “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau (who also has a bit part in the film) and his writers created the first of this summer's so-called blockbusters - an energetic, enjoyable and entertaining picture. The state-of-the-art special effects provide super-impressive, stunning visuals and the handsome - and for this, quite fit - Robert Downey Jr. steals the show.

Downey plays Tony Stark, billionaire industrialist and super-genius whose family business is selling weapons of mass destruction. Actually, Stark Industry provides or has provided almost all weapons - from handguns to A-bombs - for the machine called War. What he doesn't know - being the busy, rich, carefree playboy man-around-town - is that his military hardware ends up in the hands of some very bad people.

Tony drives through life in a plethora of high-priced sports cars, enjoying the spoils of his wealth, schmoozing would-be clients and driving his best friend, military officer Jim Rhodes (Terrence Howard) and personal assistant, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) completely crazy with his antics.

When Tony is captured by rebels in Afghanistan after a weapons demo, he soon discovers that he is in the business of death. His captors instruct him to recreate his new weapon, a missile called Jericho; but instead, he and the doctor who saved his life by implanting a magnetic battery in his chest after he takes shrapnel in the chest - create the prototype suit that turns Stark into Iron Man. In and out of this impressive suit, Stark is disarmingly charismatic, sarcastic and witty - wonderful attributes in a superhero. He is every bit as powerful as Superman, as suave and wealthy as Bruce Wayne (with equally cool, if not cooler gadgets) and as nerdy and agile as Spider-Man. He is “Iron Man,” and we rally behind him with glee.

I found it delightful to watch Downey. His is a true gift and I am glad he did not - like so many other stars have - lose his career or his life to drugs. In addition to Downey's show-stealing performance, credit must be given to the amazing visual effects crew headed by John Nelson (“Gladiator”). They provided some of the most eye-appealing, seamless displays of computer-generated imagery (CGI) I have ever seen. There are some stunning battles sequences - too few, really, if I am to find fault in “Iron Man” - especially when Iron Man goes up against his former captors and later against War Machine in a traffic-stopping, building-crushing struggle between good and evil. Favreau and his writers sprinkle some great laughs throughout and give Downey excellent material with which to work, and work he does; he is indeed the show.

To be fair, Downey plays alongside a talented star-filled cast. Each takes on his or her part with neither pompous scene-stealing nor simple - “well, it's a paycheck” - indifference, as can happen with a cast of all-stars. Paltrow - who's been home taking care of babies as of late - is lovely and slightly underused as Stark's plainly sexy Gal Friday. Howard, also underused, has obvious on-screen chemistry with Downey, garnering some great buddy scenes, and Jeff Bridges - so committed that he's gone bald for his role - is delightfully sinister as the typical Marvel villain, the Stark Industry's second-in-charge gone evil. He's every bit deceitfully charming and charismatically devious; almost Shakespearean in his villainy.

As should be, the characters are larger than life, even cartoonish in scope and the end result is a great ride - in spite of some obviously transparent plot elements. Even those unfamiliar with the comic book series will guess a few key aspects as the story unfolds, but nothing deters from the appeal of Downey and the - as repeatedly noted - stunning visual effects.

There really is no need to worry about the screen time not afforded to a some of its stars. “Iron Man” will most assuredly have a sequel (or more) and I personally can't wait. In fact, I will see the PG-13-rated “Iron Man” again soon. It is just that much fun to watch.

While Downey and the effects are most certainly perfect, transparent aspects of the story have me placing a B+/A- in my gradebook. If this is any indication of what is in store for Summer '08, I say bravo and bring ‘em on!

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