Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios and Fairview Entertainment present a PG-13 rated action adventure sci-fi thriller directed by Jon Favreau and starring Robert Downey Jr. (Tony Stark / Iron Man), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts), Terrence Howard (Jim Rhodes), Jeff Bridges (Obadiah Stane / Iron Monger) with Leslie Bibb (Christine Everhart), Shaun Toub (Yinsen), Faran Tahir (Raza), Sayed Badreya (Abu Bakaar), Bill Smitrovich (General Gabriel), Clark Gregg (Agent Phil Coulson), Tim Guinee (Major Allen), Kevin Foster (Jimmy), Garrett Noel (Pratt), and Eileen Weisinger (Ramirez).
The film starts right off with some humor, dramatics and great dialog surrounding the lead character, brilliantly played by Robert Downey Jr. It leads into a flashback 36 hours earlier in Vegas that explains the type of character Stark is in real life. A ladies man with lots of power, control and technical smarts. As CEO of Stark Industries, otherwise known as the merchant of death, he was handed a company once led by his father, a mogul in the weapons manufacturing industry. A beautiful home in Malibu California atop a rock ledge over-looking the Pacific Ocean, Stark has everything at his finger tips.
Flashed forward to present time, while visiting a foreign company to demonstrate his latest weapon, the Jericho, his caravan is attacked by rebels and he is taken captive. Being keep alive by a man-made magnetic device which prevents the shrapnel in his body from attacking his heart, Stark is held within a cave and forced to make the enemy one of the Jericho weapons. Although while in captivity behind the backs of the evil enemy he instead builds himself into the Iron Man, one that can shoot fire, bullets, act as a shield and fly. Flying of course being the tougher task to maintain which causes him to eventually take a heavy crash landing.
Within the 3 months held against his will he discovers that the life he leads as a weapons builder is not only being used for protection to save lives but by evil criminals in foreign countries, like the ones holding him captive, to take lives. After escaping a life threatening encounter he returns home to his company, Stark Industries, his assistant, Pepper Potts, his associate, Obadiah Stane, ultimately making a decision to stop his weapons division. Of course, good versus evil in many parts of the world and sometimes within ones own company, causing a war within the walls of his own home and office.
Since Stark was able to build an Iron Man in a cave he knew he was able to do the same in his home laboratory. Enveloped by some phenomenal special effects this portion of the film is full of some great writing, acting, CGI and live action sequences sure to make you want to see this film again. Building and testing this new sleek, polished Iron Man was a visual treat all within itself. Once again Downey Jr. was superb in maintaining the believability of the character from start to finish. Probably one of, if not, the best role he has acted in as a leading character to date. Personally I loved the hologram technology mixed with some moments starring no one else but Stark working with some robotics as he strives to create the ultimate Iron Man.
Money versus morals, man versus man, America versus foreign lands, a boy becoming a man, along with a love interest, to close in his life to handle all lead up to some clichés but beautifully directed and written into a marvelous story from beginning to end. Out with the old and in with the new, Stane found in section 16 doesn't stand a chance but he definitely puts on a good fight sure to ice over your metal veins. Thanks though to Starks military friend Rhodes once again the government was able to cover up and clear up any misconceptions by the press except for one known truth from Stark, "I am Iron Man".
There is a lot going on in this film that I do not mention along with a vast majority of other characters, situations and dilemmas but I figured I'd leave some mystery to this must see film sure to perform big at the box office. Downey Jr. is fantastic is this wonderfully directed and scored intellectually written and produced film ripped from the carton pages and pasted on the big screen. Paltrow, was a bit too low key for my taste but was an asset to her leading man. Howard was made for his role, bringing authority with a sense of warmth to a somewhat starched character. Bridges, well done on the hair cut, it added a more fierce and demented personality that was fitting to his conniving and diabolical role. Of course, I had high expectations on this film and for once they were met. Strap yourselves in for this summers first blockbuster and well deserving of its title.
Reporting for Talkin' Pets, I'm Jon Patch.