Iron Man Review

Iron Man has got to be one of the most genuinely different super hero films I've ever seen. The reason for this is not better action or special effects - though they are some of the best I've ever seen - but rather, a sense of detail and development that has never so well captured the spirit of the series it's based on.

The main character is Tony Stark, a world-famous weapons manufacturer. At the inciting incident, he's captured during a presentation in a foreign country by terrorists using his own "Stark Industries" technology, in an attack during which all Stark's comrades are killed. His captors tell him they'll set him free if he builds them a Jericho missile. They give him all the materials he needs, and set him to work. But, though his captors don't know it, he's not building a missile. He's building a suit.

If you've seen the trailers, you get the basic idea. The suit is made up of a titanium alloid that protects Stark from the weapons of the world and has the technology that allows him to fight back. Having said that, the action can be very fast and satisfying, yet also quite smart and tactics-based. Think Gundam with a superhero twist.

But what really stood out to me was how detailed the storyline was. Many people have said that the pace grinds, but I would hardly say that. The supposed "slow" moments in the story have just as much momentum and sense of development as the other areas, which is really what the meaning behind the success of this film comes down to. Not to mention the fact that renowned actor Robert Downey has become to Tony Stark what Christopher Reeve was to Clark Kent at Superman's release in an amazing performance. It's an incredible thing when an actor is absolutely perfect for the job, and even more so when he does a next-to-perfect job as well.

Pros: Great action, character arcs, and storyline. Manages to capture the feel of a superhero show.

Cons: Okay, maybe it grinds at a couple parts, but it’s hardly worth mentioning.

Rating: 9 out of 10