by Jerry Hodge

Created on: May 09, 2008

I have been a super hero and comic book fan for nearly 50 years. I actually possess some very old Iron man issues. I went to see Iron Man this week and I must say it was a very enjoyable movie. Another genius creation by the masters of the super-hero genre.

The action scenes are totally awesome in this film, among the best I have ever seen. The story line combines brilliant special affects with intense action sequences and fight scenes that only Marvel Comics seems able to produce.

Robert Downey Jr. is quite good has Tony Stark. The intense wealth and highly advanced technology of Stark Industries, is as impressive as Iron Man himself; and would rival that of Bruce Wayne (Batman), perhaps even exceeding the technology of the Dark Knight.

Gwyneth Paltrow is excellent as (Pepper) Tony Starks girl friend. I love her in the role of strong, devoted friend and lover, who never gives up on someone she cares for. That's my kind of lady!

Jeff Bridges is fantastic in Iron Man, proving again that he is one of the most intense actors on screen. He plays the part of (Obadiah Stane), Starks partner. His performance is emotional and riveting, especially when he turns against Tony Stark.

Iron Man's weaponry is very impressive. No conventional weapons have a chance against him. His re-pulser rays obliterate anything in his path. I have only one problem with this great movie. It portrays Tony Stark as a weapons producer. I would say that Tony Stark is an "industrialist" that happens to produce hi-tech weapons. Also in the story he is captured in the middle east and forced to produce weapons for his Islamic captors.

If we remain true to the initial Iron Man story line, he was captured in the orient, during World War II and not in modern day Afghanistan. However, despite these eclectic changes Iron Man is a smashing movie, that I predict will break box office records.

The making of Iron Man has convinced me of one thing. Marvel Comics knows what movie goers want to see! Look at all the recent fantastic and highly successful productions: Spiderman, Daredevil, Fantastic Four, Hulk, Electra, Ghost Rider, The Punisher and my favorite "X-Men." And Marvel is already planning to do Wolverine and sequels to Iron Man. This is genius.

I always try to learn a life lesson from every movie I watch. What are the writers and producers trying to tell us? What lessons did I learn from Iron Man? One is that great men, even heroes can be burdened with a lot of personal demons. Habits and influences that are difficult to overcome. What makes them great is their intense desire to do the right thing and help others, despite their foibles.

Learn more about this author, Jerry Hodge.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.