IRON MAN: THE REVIEW

I haven't reviewed a movie in a very long time, and this film deserves to be the first movie I'll be reviewing this year.

First off, WATCH THIS MOVIE UNTIL THE END OF THE CREDITS!!! Obviously, no one knows this will happen, so now I'm telling you for your benefit. Stay after the ending! It's unfortunate that only 5 of us inside the cinema saw the epilogue.

Anyway, on to the review. If you're going to watch the movie to look for drama, you won't find it here. This is a mindless popcorn summer movie. Nothing more, nothing less. And I'm not saying that negatively because this movie wreaks with AWESOME!!! What a way to start the movie season!!! I have a feeling that this entry will be full of exclamation points!!!

Iron Man, for you non-geeks out there is a comic book character from Marvel. Tony Stark is one of the heads of the world's biggest weapons manufacturer. And when he was abducted by terrorists using his own weapons to almost kill him, Tony finally has an epiphany. He needs to use his technology for good. Hence, Iron Man is born. It's a little bit predictable, but hey, you don't go to popcorn summer movies to overthink and predict... you just enjoy it's awesomeness.

If you want to do that (think) December's a few month's from now. The thinking films are normally released by then.

The story is very believable and up to date. Some might say that this is reflective of the real world. Geek moments like Rhodes' eyeing a spare costume, and the mention of 10 rings (Mandarin as villain for the sequel... hell yeah!!!), also the ending... the real one after the credits... I think I'll have a heart attack because of pure excitement!!! There are no cheesy moments here (all Spider-man films)... no long wait for the hero in costume to appear (I'm talking about you Batman Begins) and no ridiculous villains (uh... Superman Returns' Lex Luthor). This is a perfect comic book adaptation. And oh yeah, did I mention, it's also funny?!

Obviously, I love this movie. I'm a Marvel zombie, and this is a great origin story. I'm sure this movie will have sequels and I'm psyched for that. Everyone was great. Robert Downey Jr. is perfect for the role. Gwyneth Paltrow was equally amazing as Pepper Potts. I am having problems with the voice of Terrence Howard as James Rhodes, but his acting is great... can't wait for him to don War Machine's costume. And Jeff Bridges as Obadiah Stane...that's the kind of scary I like... I love it!!! Pepper and Tony have great chemistry together, and I think they have the best non-love-team tandem yet. Sorry, non-comic readers, just a tidbit. Pepper eventually married Tony's driver Happy Hogan in comics, but seeing that films are different, this makes me wish that Ms. Potts end up with the billionaire.

I'm having a hard time ranking this with other comic book movie adaptations. It's hard to place a number on it along with X2, Batman Begins and Spider-Man. But definitely, Iron Man is right there on top.

SCORE: 9.5/10 only because I'm having trouble with Terrence Howard's voice.