by J. Christopher Baggett

Created on: May 07, 2008

Welcome to the Silver Age of the Superhero Movie.

You could say the Golden Age of the Super-Hero movie kicked off back in the 70s with Richard Donnor's "Superman: The Movie", but lets face it, they've been in a slump lately. Lackluster sequels such as "X-Men: The Last Stand" and "Spider-Man 3" have left fans disappointed and begging for the freshness of a reinvigorated franchise, while others such as "Hulk" shined like a bright new star, only to explode and fizzle out after being released. With varying degrees of success, comic book movies to date have strayed far from the original source material (such as "The Crow") and gone so far as to completely re-imagine and re-invent characters, ignoring what came before (such was the case with the "Superman" franchise).

But now its time for a fresh start, and it all starts with Tony Stark, otherwise known as Iron Man, the Armored Avenger. With an updated storyline that came straight from its comic origins and a phenomenal, mind-blowing cast, "Iron Man" is set to become the first huge blockbuster of a brave new era.

Kicking off in Afghanistan, we're introduced to Tony Stark, who is a weapons designer and boy genius who's grown up to take over his father's place in the world. But when he's kidnapped by terrorists who want him to design a missile for them, Tony makes a daring escape by secretly building a suit of armor, as well as a pacemaker for his damaged heart. His eyes opened by the horrors his weapons are creating, Tony vows to make things right and not waste his second chance at life, and modifies his armor to become the heroic Iron Man.

The story right off the bat sucks you in. The film starts with Tony being kidnapped, then flashes back 36 hours to show a day in the life of playboy Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey Jr. ("Chaplin", "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang"). All the characters you know and love are here, from scientist Yin Sen, who helps Tony escape, to James "Rhodey" Rhodes (Terrence Howard, "Hustle & Flow") and Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow, "Shakespeare In Love"), the supporting cast of the "Iron Man" comics are brought to life on the big screen in a fantastic ensemble, topped off with a barely recognizable Jeff Bridges ("Starman") as Tony's business partner and nemesis Obadiah Stane. What's more, this cast gets it! Anyone who's read the comics will watch Robert Downey Jr. for just minutes and find themselves squealing when they realize that Downey simply is Tony Stark.

The actions kicks off from the very beginning and doesn't let up, from the mountains of Afghanistan to the streets of Malibu, "Iron Man" finds its heart in a powerful story as Tony Stark tries to undo his greatest wrongs and creates phenomenal action sequences, including at least three aerial sequences that would make even the Man of Steel walk away with his cape between his legs.

"Iron Man" definitively begins the summer movie season of 2008, and kicks off what is bound to be the next wave of superhero films, and is followed later in the year by the rebooted "The Incredible Hulk", the sequel "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and the much anticipated follow-up to one of 2005's greatest films, "The Dark Knight". Regardless, "Iron Man" earns the distinct pleasure of being the first blockbuster of the year, and has set a high bar to meet. What's more, its success and secret yet much hyped ending (seriously, stay after the credits) have laid the groundwork for dozens of future, phenomenal movies that will keep fans gasping for more. Make sure you catch "Iron Man" as quick as you can. The Silver Age of Super Hero movies is going to be one hell of a fun ride.

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