Iron Man (PG) * * * *

By ROBERT WALDMAN, Vancouver

Certain actors seem born for a role. Back in the 1960s Sean Connery was saving the world as James Bond, agent 007. Move on to the 70s and we had Clint Eastwood cleaning up those grimy San Francisco streets as Dirty Harry. Sky high fun occurred whenever Christopher Reeves took flight as a superman while closer to home Sylvester Stallone did what John Rambo had to do to wreck havoc on American enemies in South East Asia.   Modern heroes like Indiana Jones and Spider-Man made household names internationally of Harrison Ford and Tobey Maguire. Now we must add Robert Downey Jr to this list of pop icons thanks to his latest work.        

                Summer-time means blockbuster to Hollywood and Paramount Studio executives lucked out with their casting of Downey as the title character of Iron Man, sure to be the first mega hit of 2008. Word of mouth can make or break a movie. Insiders at the studio or presenting production company Marvel Comics need not fret a wit thanks to this invigorating new entry into the comic book inspired movie sweepstakes now racking up audiences at Scotiabank, Oakridge Cinemas, Fifth Avenue Cinemas, Empire Studio 12, Colossus and Famous Players Silver City theatres around B.C. Be brave to endure long line-ups to see this movie which is well worth the wait.

                Actor turned director Jon Favreau (Elf) must once upon a time have been a comic book fan or collector. Given a nice budget and an exemplary cast Favreau takes us on just a whirlwind ride full of fun and total engagement as we get caught up in the worldly life of one Tony Stark. Cut from the same mould as the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes our Mr. Stark was bright from day one. Born into an industrial family Tony has made his fortune by being on the edge of technology, today leading perhaps the top weapons firm in the world.

                Everyone seems to want to get close to this enterprising bachelor whose style and panache either impresses people or rubs them the wrong way. Being rich, naturally makes him a target for those willing to do him harm. Caught in the wrong place at the wrong time sees our “civilian” put to the ultimate test thanks to some uncompromising terrorists holed up in the hills of forbidden territory in the Middle East.

                Canadians can relate to this storyline as our men and women are currently facing unspeakable evil in mountainous Afghanistan. When he’s not busy seducing countless beauties our Tony winds up in the lair of some very bad people. Just how Tony gets out of this jam provides the fuse for fun on an elaborate scale as you’ll get caught up in this man’s every move.

                Stylish, charming and fully action packed Iron Man’s time has come. Robert Downey Jr is at his cocky best as the one-liners never stop coming and never fail to click. Sensuality here is in full bloom with stunning work from Gwyneth Paltrow (Emma) as a good girl Friday alongside Leslie Bibb (The Skulls) who’s sure to take any man’s mind off of business.

                Secondary characters in Iron Man also leave their mark with Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow) looking good in uniform and Jeff Bridges (Seabiscuit) taking a fresh approach to protecting shareholder’s rights.

                Action galore jumps off the screen in Iron Man which should prove popular with movie audiences globally across the age spectrum. Add on some great villains led by Fran Tahir (The Jungle Book) and you have the dawn of a new big screen hero inspired by the imaginative genius of Stan Lee.

                Cutting edge special effects, high flying battles, sparkling performances and a hero born to survive to fight/love another day makes Iron Man a whale of a good time at the movies.

Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com