Movie Review: ‘Iron Man’ heavy on fun

The casting of Robert Downey in “Iron Man” left many scratching their noggins. The usually artsy actor won an Oscar for playing Charlie Chaplin, for goodness’ sake. But true Marvel fans were stoked, for they knew that RDJ had the chops necessary to play the angst-ridden, superbly introspective Tony Stark down to the T.

Stark is the CEO of Stark Industries. The bad-ass, “Give me a scotch, I‘m starving,” millionaire took over the defense technology company for his father, who was one of the pioneers of the A-bomb. Everything is peachy keen until Stark takes a trip to Afghanistan to showcase a new weapon called the Jericho (don’t want to spoil too much of the plot here, so will try to keep details limited). He’s captured and taken hostage by a group of terrorists who demand he rebuild the coveted weapon he was selling — while in the depths of a cave.

Stark has different plans (imagine this line said in the Don LaFontaine voice just for fun). He decides to build an indestructible suit, complete with every mobile weapon fathomable and bust out of captivity. When he finally emerges, it’s like RoboCop took whatever Barry Bonds does. After kicking major butt and taking names, Iron Man emerges from a fiery explosion and you can’t help but feel victorious.

Upon returning to the states, Stark promptly holds a press conference, while eating a perfectly product-placed Burger King burger, to let the world know Stark Industries will no longer be in the weapons making biz. This is much to the chagrin of his partner, the cigar smoking, pinky ring-yielding Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges is insane in this role) who sees nothing but the bottom line and won’t stop at anything to protect it.

While on a mandatory leave of absence, Stark starts the construction of the superhero suit to end all suits in hopes of saving the world someday (or at least making it a better place). Forget spandex and gimmicks, this is put the pedal to the metal gear, literally. Actually, much of this film focuses on Stark’s solo suit-building efforts. Besides for his right-hand-woman Pepper Potts (the perpetually vulnerable Gwyneth Paltrow is no Alfred), there’s only robotic equipment to talk to, and even that makes for great convo. RDJ propels the man behind the eventual mask. His combination of integrity and humor alongside the raucous storyline solidify “Iron Man” as one of the best comic book adaptations ever.

Director Jon Favreau (who also appears in the film, as does creator Stan Lee — aren’t his “Where’s Waldo” appearances cool?) knew how to make this work. Given a recipe for success, he’s added a dash of this and a pinch of that to stay true to the comic book series, yet make it relevant for everyone. Where Sam Raimi talks down to summer crowds with “Spiderman,” Favreau talks to them.

Never fear, for this is just the beginning for Iron Man. Tony Stark’s alter ego is set to make an appearance in “The Incredible Hulk” due out later this summer and there will most definitely be an IM2. Downey Jr. is already tossing around ideas for the sequel. Hopefully, he develops one ASAP.

Whether he comes up with it in his office or a cave, moviegoers will be waiting with bated breath for this to be continued.

P.S.--Make sure you stay past the credits!

Adrienne Mackey is a freelance movie reviewer. Hear her talk a lot more about movies on ‘The KLPX WakeUp Call with Scott Barnett’ weekday mornings from 5 to 10 a.m. on 96.1 KLPX.

Movie Review

3/4 Stars

Action /Adventure/Drama/Sci-Fi |/Thriller

Run time: 2 hours 6 minutes.

Rated PG-13 for some intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and brief suggestive content.

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, Leslie Bibb.

Written by: Mark Fergus, Hawk Ostby.

Directed by: Jon Favreau.