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bought and used by the most powerful nation on earth, their mere existence (and destructive capabilities) becomes attractive to those with less than humane ideals. As Stark questions after his captivity, should weapons of strategic and/or mass destruction be built in the first place? For all their protective capabilities, they are only non-destructive if left unused, and as he finds out, no matter what policies are put in place to ensure weapons are in the right hands, they can and indeed do fall into the wrong ones.

Iron Man's penchant for authentic if far-reaching science is also seen in Jeff Bridges' cyborg monstrosity which becomes Stark's chief villain. It's a predictable plotline - Bridges hardly hides his hatred for the man who has everything: it's all in those cold, calculating eyes - but he makes a sadistic and believable baddie in the mould of Lex Luther. The film becomes less interesting when the two metal Goliath's go hammer and tongue but at least Favreau gives something to the MTV generation that will, at the very least, divert their attention. But what the iron-crushing battles of the film's final reels achieve is maintain the film's organic good versus evil motif. And it's this distinction - greed and commercial extremism versus Stark's new found values - that puts the film a cut above the rest.

Much of the film's appeal is down to Robert Downey Jr., an actor who has always had the qualities to be the best of his generation. His problem has been his excessive personal life, but recently, he appears to have got himself back on track. Downey Jr., shows the likes of Tobey Maguire how it should be done with the controlled, confident arrogance of a man who has everything. His transition to prisoner from rich and cultured media God is organic and restrained. His later obsession with the iron suit is one that comes from a man fighting his own genius, while the flirtatious sexual innuendos between him and Gwyneth Paltrow's sultry assistant is funny and sexy without ever resorting to saccharine.

What Favreau lacks in visual style he more than makes up for in wit, characterization, and pacing. The film never gets bogged down, as Favreau doesn't waste the talents of his quality cast. Downey Jr. makes a perfect John Stark, and Gwyneth Paltrow a perfect muse. Their interplay provides some of the movie's finer moments.

At least with Iron Man, unlike so many others, I can safely say I'm looking forward to the sequel.

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