If every summer movie could deliver the same amount of fun that this movie does than I certainly wouldn’t complain about high ticket prices. Not only is Iron Man a furiously fun and entertaining time at the movies, but it does it so easily, almost effortlessly; it really puts to shame some of the more recent and lackluster films of the genre. I’ll admit it—Iron Man isn’t quite the best comic book film out there, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t one of the most thoroughly entertaining and likeable comic book movies ever made. You almost have to wonder where many other comic book films go wrong. I’m sure the excellent casting made things much easier on director Jon Favreau, whose previous credits include Elf and Zathura, and Iron Man is his best to date. The film, based on the Marvel comic-book character, centers around Tony Stark; a wealthy playboy/inventor genius who goes from successfully flamboyant industrialist weapons developer turned superhero when he has a run-in with a group of terrorists, and in order to save his life, develops a massive suite of incredible iron steel to protect himself and escape to freedom, and of course kicking a lot of ass in the process. After Stark is caught in the havoc and bloodshed that his profits come from, his eyes are fully open to take the responsibility he’s long avoided his entire life, and decides to help save the world from the weapons of his own making. Casting Downey in the lead was an inspired choice that paid off wonderfully, and in some ways his own rocky life matches Stark's revelatory awakening, and he is quite literally the heart and soul of the picture; adding quick wit, sly humor and a touch of vulnerable humanity to Stark.

The support players, including Terrence Howard as Stark’s military pal, Col. Rhodes; Gwyneth Palthrow as Stark’s plucky assistance and ex-flame, Pepper Potts; and Jeff “the dude” Bridges as Obadiah Stone, as Stark’s right-hand man at Stark Industries. Howard isn’t give much to do, but what he does do, he does well, and the same can be said about Palthrow, who seems to deliver just the right amount of sincerity and pouncy intelligence, and when called for, a certain amount of dim-wittedness. That sounds like a contradiction, but Palthrow some how manages to pull it off rather nicely. The film is a brisk two hours, and keeps chugging along at a rollicking pace; never sitting still for too long before jumping back into the action. I came into the movie not very knowledgeable about the Marvel comic, but after seeing this movie you can consider me a fan. Thankfully an Iron Man 2 is already in the works (how could there not be with that last scene? FYI: stay after the end credits), and as long as this cast and director come back for more I’ll happily pay that eight bucks at the box office for more Iron Man.