Humor steels ‘Iron Man’

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By Linda Cook | Wednesday, May 7, 2008 2:01 PM CDT | () comments

(Marvel Entertainment) Actor Robert Downey Jr. stars as billionaire industrialist Tony Stark in a scene from "Iron Man." The film is the first movie Marvel financed itself and has culminated a five-year plan to break from its strategy of licensing its top comic book heroes to other studios. Buy this Photo

‘IRON MAN’

Can a hero called “Iron Man” consist of a motormouth with nerves of steel?

Yes, when Robert Downey Jr. portrays him and when director Jon Favreau is behind the camera.

There’s just nothing like a good origins movie that gives us a look at how a comic book superhero got his (or her) start. Favreau takes an entertainingly tongue-in-cheek, sometimes-humorous, approach to Iron Man’s beginnings.

The show opens in Afghanistan, where weapons designer Tony Stark (Downey) is traveling with U.S. troops when they are attacked. Stark, a Donald Trump type, is taken hostage after nearly dying of his injuries.

Back in the States, Stark’s assistant, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and his business partner, Obadiah Stone (Jeff Bridges), await word of his whereabouts.

Stark regains consciousness to discover that he is trapped in a cave where a doctor (Shaun Toub) has saved his life by implanting a device that will keep shrapnel from piercing Stark’s heart. A group of militants plans to force Stark into creating a weapon for them. Although Stark pretends to do just that, he actually fashions a sort of iron shield for himself and the suit of armor allows him to escape.

Pepper, Obadiah and Stark’s best friend, Jim Rhodes (Terrence Howard), are delighted that he is alive and in one piece. But Stark has an announcement that will change the face of Stark Industries and possibly the global economy. He plans to change the focus of his own existence along with that of his company.

You won’t find many moments in this show that are not entertaining. Downey is just delightful as the womanizing billionaire who discovers that he really does have a heart (literally and figuratively) and a conscience. He’s a terrific actor who lets you know at every second when his character is moved by doubt, determination or terror.

The movie is more than a bit Bond-esque, so if you’re a Bondophile, you won’t want to miss it. There’s even a signature car (Stark drives an Audi R8) among other touches of glamour. The special effects are a beautiful enhancement of the story, but they never steal the show.

It’s an adventure, a drama, a war story and a character study. And it’s just the beginning of a long-lived franchise.

Oh, by the way: Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee has a cameo here. He’s the guy with the blondes — and Stark mistakes him for Hugh Hefner.

Linda Cook reviews movies for GO & DO and KWQC-TV6. Contact her at (563) 383-2400 or lcook@qctimes.com. Comment on this review at qctimes.com.

*** ½

Running time: Just a tad more than two hours

Rated: PG-13 for violence, foul language and sexual situations