Published: May 07, 2008 04:08 pm            

‘Iron Man’ perfect comic-book movie

Last weekend marked the launching of this summer’s Big Movies. If “Iron Man” is any indication, this summer is going to so rule! “Iron Man” was as perfect a comic-book-turned-movie I’ve ever seen.

“Iron Man” is not a heavy-hitter in the Marvel universe (saleswise, the Babe Ruths are still Spidey and the Hulk), but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. In fact, “Iron Man” has a pretty cherry premise.

For the newbies — Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is a billionaire industrialist playboy (think Howard Hughes). Basically, he’s straight pimp. He gets abducted by Afghani insurgents and is critically injured. The only thing keeping his ticker ticking is some sorta external pacemaker thingamabob. To escape, he builds an iron suit. When he returns from captivity, he has a change of heart (you were waiting for that, weren’t you?). He wishes to leave a different legacy than weapon design. Stark perfects that iron suit and starts kicking crime’s butt in it.

Stark’s right-hand man is his military liaison, Rhodey, played by the unflappable Terrance Howard. It’s true; I looked it up; he cannot be flapped. As any fanboy worth his mettle knows, Rhodey will later don the suit when Stark crawls into a bottle and he ultimately becomes War Machine. Can’t wait for that! Stark’s right-hand woman is his assistant, Pepper Potts. I know, Pepper Potts, right? Anyways, Gwyneth Paltrow brings sophistication and pedigree to a character named ... Pepper Potts.

I’ll tell you what. A lotta people naysayed the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark. They have all been silenced. I can’t imagine anyone else playing him now. He was perfect. Downey gave Stark a razor-quick wit that I’ve read was mostly improv. And Jeff Bridges brings the film its baddie as Obi-wan Ke- ... whoops, sorry — Obadiah Stane who becomes ... dundunDUNNN — The Iron Monger! What was Stan Lee smoking when he came up with all these names?

The DL: “Iron Man” is one of the best comic adaptations ever. Period. I put it right up there with Nolan’s “Batman” and “Spidey 2.” It is what “Daredevil” wished it was. Director Jon Favreau (“Swingers” and “Elf”) knocked this one outta the park. And apparently, Jon fancies himself a bodyguard-type-a-guy. Stay through the credits for an extra scene that lays the framework for at least ... I’d say ... three other films.

To the Parents: “Iron Man” got slapped with a PG-13 for “Sci-Fi Action and Violence” (completely different than “Just Regular Action and Violence” I guess). An R “Iron Man” would’ve been sweet.

The Rating: If movies were bands, “Iron Man” would be The White Stripes (I know you were expecting Sabbath, but I loves me some White Stripes).

At Home: “Battlestar Galactica, Season 3” (just in case you didn’t know how big a dork I really am). Can’t stress enough how great this show is. Give it a try; it will surprise you.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.