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"Even non-comics fans can enjoy this smart, high impact superhero movie." - Rotten Tomatoes

In what is expected one of our stronger summer movie seasons in recent history, "Iron Man" hit the ground running and deftly achieved status as a comic book movie icon in one fell swoop. From the moment we open to AC/DC playing on a portable radio, we know it's going to be a different kind of ride.

Robert Downey Jr. nails his part as booze swilling, playboy industrialist Tony Stark, a man no one could expect to be cut from hero cloth. His wise-ass delivery makes no apology for the fact his fortune has been built upon the rigors of war and destruction. "They say the best weapon is one you never have to fire," he tells his military audience as he prepares to demonstrate the awesome power of his new Jericho missile. "I prefer the weapon you only need to fire once. That's how dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far."

Little does our ne'er do well protagonist know, but he is about to come face to face with the hard reality of war mongering. He ends up prisoner to a group of terrorists, who demand he build them a Jericho missile of their own.

Tony is at a bit of a disadvantage, having been mortally wounded during the attack. Shrapnel from his own weaponry now races through his veins. Without the help of magnets to draw these fragments away from his vital organs, he would die.

It's a wakeup call even the great Tony Stark cannot ignore. To ensure his own safety, he uses the ruse of developing the Jericho to construct a new weapon - a suit of metal - centered around the tiny reactor implanted in his chest that he developed to sustain his own survival.

Thus, a new hero is born.

Two teams of credited screenwriters weave the familiar tale well. Every set up is paid off, in ways a seasoned (read: jaded) moviegoer may not see coming. It starts out with a bang, and with clever bits of back story we get a real sense of who Tony Stark is, and what his journey will be.

Though most reviews have been positive, some of the lesser received comments have been in regards to a lack of action. True, there is a lot of attention focused on his development into the hero he will eventually be. Personally I did not sense any lull or was bored in any way as the filmmakers kept the pace brisk through some comedic bits and clues to how everything would eventually fall into place.

Robert plays the role to perfection. More charm than schmarm,

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