Iron Man is a movie adaptation of the popular Marvel comic book about a tortured, alcoholic billionaire with a heart defect. By wearing an special suit made of iron he keeps his heart pumping, and gets certain bonus super-powers at the same time.


Robert Downey Jr. as a superhero; an alcoholic superhero? I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I deserve to live in a world where such a movie exists. It's a casting choice so unbelievably perfect that Iron Man might actually have a chance to end up as the first superhero movie to win a legitimate acting Oscar. It's an idea so pure and good that if Paramount hadn't already confirmed it you'd think it would have to be completely fake.

Robert has reportedly already gotten himself in fantastic shape for the film, and has even gone so far as to grow the trademark mustache and goatee Tony Stark is known for. That's a good sign, since it means he's into it. Hopefully this isn't just a big superhero paycheck for him, but Downey has never seemed like the type to take big cash-in parts anyway.

Director Jon Favreau and his team have done the impossible: They've managed to find a way to make his Iron Man movie matter. Robert Downey Jr. is one of Hollywood's finest actors, and in his personal life he's battled a lot of the addiction issues which make Tony Stark such an interesting figure in the first place. Paramount probably sees it as a gamble, but it's a beautiful one. Makes you want to stand up and cheer. Mix in the great Terrence Howard, as Stark's friend Jim Rhodes and maybe, just maybe, Hollywood isn't evil after all.

Share |