by Craig Jelley

Created on: July 03, 2009   Last Updated: July 04, 2009

Marvel Comics' Iron Man is the latest comic book property to receive the Hollywood treatment. Directed by 'Swingers' actor Jon Favreau, and starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular mechanical marvel, the film is based on his origin story from the comic book 'Tales of Suspense #43', published in 1963.

The story begins with weapons developer and head of Stark Industries, Tony Stark, on a military tour of Afghanistan where he is to flog his latest wares to the U.S. Army. After a successful demonstration, the trip takes an interesting yet unwelcome turn, when the convoy that is escorting him back to his plane is bombarded by his own weapons. He is kidnapped and imprisoned in a cave hideout by members of a militant group calling themselves 'The Ten Rings', along with another prisoner Yinsen (Shaun Toub). Of a more pressing matter to Mr. Stark however, is the fact that he has an electromagnet keeping shrapnel form entering his heart.

When forced by the leader of The Ten Rings to manafacture his latest missile; 'The Jericho', Stark, aided by Yinsen actually develops both a miniature, superpowered electromagnet to keep his heart ticking and a primitive form of the Iron Man armour instead. Turning the suit on his captors, Stark is able to escape but at the cost of Yinsens life after he trys to buy Tony some time to get into the suit and is shot. Iron Man's crusade is only just beginning though as he vows to wipe out the stores of weapons that are being used for evil all over the world and to find the root of their supply.

Fans of the iron-clad hero will be quick to point out the differences between the original comic book story and the one used in the film, with the location of Stark's kidnapping the main change. Though the story of the film may not be completely true, as a stand-alone piece it's an exhilirating, adrenaline-charged romp, laden with classy special effects and some innovative combat. Favreau, who also appears as Hogan, one of Stark's entourage of bodyguards, manages to balance out the action with moments of comic relief and hints of sexual tension between Stark and his housekeeper, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow).

Robert Downey Jr. deserves plaudits beyond words for his turn as the hydraulic hero. His ability as an actor is key to combining the two sides of Tony Stark who is, more often than not, the likable, charismatic cad, wooing women and staving off criticism with only his bare wit. The flip-side however is the workaholic, always inventing and

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